bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Symptom profile variability of interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome by age
Authors: Rais‐Bahrami Soroush , Friedlander Justin I. , Herati Amin S. , Sadek Mostafa A. , Ruzimovsky Marina , Moldwin Robert M.
Published: September 2011

Study Type – Diagnostic (symptom prevalence)

Level of Evidence 2b

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?

Symptom variability is profound in the population of patients diagnosed with interstitial cystitis and painful bladder syndrome because these diagnoses represent a very heterogeneous patient population. Recently, younger patients are being diagnosed with these pain syndromes, without any specific investigation into the symptoms they experience. We identified that patients diagnosed with interstitial cystitis and painful bladder syndrome have variable clinical symptom profiles depending on the age at the time of their diagnosis. Dyspareunia, external genitalia pain, urgency, frequency and dysuria were more common in younger patients whereas nocturia, urinary incontinence and the presence of Hunner's ulcers were more common in older patients. Better defining symptom profiles for patients at the time of evaluation may potentially aid in more accurate and expedited diagnosis of these conditions, particularly in the youngest patient population which is being recognized more commonly in recent times.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the clinical profile differences among patients with interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome (IC/PBS) based upon age at the time of diagnosis from childhood into the geriatric age group.

METHODS

An analysis of 268 patients with IC/PBS seen between 1990 and 2008 was performed.

Three age cohorts were analysed: <30 years, ≥30 years but <60 years, and ≥60 years of age at time of diagnosis.

Patient demographics, disease characteristics and IC/PBS‐associated symptoms were compared across the three groups.

RESULTS

Of the 268 patients, 60 were <30 years of age at the time of IC diagnosis (median 22, range 11–29), 105 were ≥30 but <60 years (median 48, range 30–59) and 103 patients were ≥60 years of age (median 69, range 60–88).

Of the patients in the youngest, middle and oldest age cohorts: 12.0, 42.0 and 39.8% had Hunner's ulcers, respectively (P < 0.001).

Dyspareunia and external genitalia pain were more common in the youngest age cohort, P < 0.001 and P = 0.001, respectively.

Urinary urgency (P = 0.033), frequency (P = 0.006) and dysuria (P < 0.001) were also more common in patients diagnosed before 30 years of age.

The reported rate of nocturia and urinary incontinence increased with age, P = 0.002 and P < 0.001, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with IC/PBS analysed across a wide spectrum of ages at time of diagnosis portrayed a unique symptom profile pattern.

Patients diagnosed at the youngest ages experienced significantly more urinary urgency, frequency, dysuria, dyspareunia and pain in their external genitalia.

Older patients had higher rates of nocturia, urinary incontinence and Hunner's ulcer disease.
Trends in urological stone disease
Authors: Turney Benjamin W. , Reynard John M. , Noble Jeremy G. , Keoghane Stephen R.
Published: September 2011

Study Type – Therapy (case series)

Level of Evidence 4

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?

Urolithiasis is a major clinical and economic burden for health care systems.

International epidemiological data suggest that the incidence and prevalence of stone disease is increasing.

This study demonstrates that the number of diagnoses and procedures relating to kidney stone disease has increased significantly in the last 10 years in the UK.

Management of stone disease comprises a significant and increasing proportion of urological practice in the UK, which has implications for work force planning, training, service delivery and research in this field.

OBJECTIVE

To summarize the changes in prevalence and treatment of upper urinary tract stone disease in the UK over the last 10 years.

METHODS

Data from the Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) website (http://www.hesonline.nhs.uk) were extracted, summarized and presented.

RESULTS

The number of upper urinary tract stone hospital episodes increased by 63% to 83 050 in the 10‐year period.

The use of shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) for treating all upper tract stones increased from 14 491 cases in 2000–2001 to 22 402 cases in 2010 (a 55% increase) with a 69% increase in lithotripsy for renal stones.

There was a 127% increase in the number of ureteroscopic stone treatments from 6 283 to 14 242 cases over the 10‐year period with a 49% increase from 2007/2008 to 2009/2010.

There was a decline in open surgery for upper tract stones from 278 cases in 2000/2001 to 47 cases in 2009/2010 (an 83% reduction).

Treatment for stone disease has increased substantially in comparison with other urological activity. In 2009/2010, SWL was performed almost as frequently as transurethral resection of the prostate or transurethral resection of bladder tumour, ureteroscopy for stones was performed more frequently than nephrectomy, radical prostatectomy and cystectomy combined, and percutaneous nephrolithotomy was performed more frequently than cystectomy.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study highlights the increase in prevalence and treatment of stone disease in the UK over the last 10 years.

If this trend continues it has important implications for workforce planning, training, service delivery and research in the field of urolithiasis.
Effect of psychological stress on glucose control in patients with Type 2 diabetes
Authors: Faulenbach M. , Uthoff H. , Schwegler K. , Spinas G. A. , Schmid C. , Wiesli P.
Published: September 2011

Diabet. Med. 29, 128–131 (2012)

Aim  To investigate the effect of acute psychological stress on glucose concentrations in patients with Type 2 diabetes, in the fasting state as well as in the postprandial state.

Methods  Thirty patients (12 female) with Type 2 diabetes were included. Mean ± sd age was 60 ± 12 years, BMI 28.8 ± 4.2 kg/m2, diabetes duration 8.9 ± 6.7 years and HbA1c 51 ± 9 mmol/mol (6.8 ± 0.8%). Using a non‐randomized approach, all participants were exposed to moderate psychological stress by means of the Trier Social Stress Test: 10 participants in the fasting state and 20 participants 75 min after intake of a standard meal. Blood pressure, heart rate and salivary cortisol were monitored on the control day and the stress‐test day. Glucose concentrations were assessed using a continuous glucose monitoring system.

Results  On the stress‐test day, blood pressure rose from 117/73 ± 13/12 to 155/92 ± 22/14 mmHg, heart rate from 77 ± 11 to 91 ± 25 b min−1 and salivary cortisol concentrations from 8.5 ± 3.7 to 26.4 ± 12.1 nmol/l (P < 0.001); these measurements remained unchanged on the control day. On the stress‐test day, when the Trier Social Stress Test was applied 75 min after the intake of a standard meal, the glucose concentrations were significantly higher compared with the control day (mean difference 1.5 mmol/l, 95% CI 0.5–2.4, P = 0.003). In the fasting state, glucose concentrations slightly decreased during the control day but remained stable on the stress‐test day (mean difference compared with the control day 0.7 mmol/l, 95% CI −0.7 to 2.0, P = 0.31).

Conclusions  When stress is experienced in the postprandial period, acute psychological stress significantly increases glucose concentrations in patients with Type 2 diabetes.
Assessment of the under‐reporting of diabetes in hospital admission data: a study from the Scottish Diabetes Research Network Epidemiology Group
Authors: Anwar H. , Fischbacher C. M. , Leese G. P. , Lindsay R. S. , McKnight J. A. , Wild S. H. ,   on behalf of the Scottish Diabetes Research Network Epidemiology Group
Published: September 2011

Diabet. Med. 28, 1514–1519 (2011)

Aims  Good quality data are required to plan and evaluate diabetes services and to assess progress against targets for reducing hospital admissions and bed days. The aim of this study was to assess the completeness of recording of diabetes in hospital admissions using recent national data for Scotland.

Methods  Data derived from linkage of the Scottish National Diabetes Register and hospital admissions data were analysed to assess the completeness of coding of diabetes in hospital inpatient admissions between 2000 and 2007 for patients identified with diabetes prior to hospital admission.

Results  In 2007, only 59% of hospital inpatient admissions for people previously diagnosed with diabetes mentioned diabetes, whereas over 99% of people with a mention of diabetes on hospital records were included in the diabetes register. The completeness of diabetes recording varied from 44 to 82% among mainland National Health Service Boards and from 34 to 89% among large general hospitals. Completeness of recording of diabetes as a co‐morbidity also varied by primary diagnosis: 70 and 41% of admissions with coronary heart disease and cancer as the primary diagnosis mentioned co‐existing diabetes, respectively.

Conclusions  There is wide variation in the completeness of recording of diabetes in hospital admission data. Hospital data alone considerably underestimate the number of admissions and bed days but overestimate length of stay for people with diabetes. Linkage of diabetes register data to hospital admissions data provides a more accurate source for measuring hospital admissions among people diagnosed with diabetes than hospital admissions data.
Modeling General and Specific Variance in Multifaceted Constructs: A Comparison of the Bifactor Model to Other Approaches
Authors: Chen Fang Fang , Hayes Adele , Carver Charles S. , Laurenceau Jean‐Philippe , Zhang Zugui
Published: September 2011

This article recommends an alternative method for testing multifaceted constructs. Researchers often have to choose between two problematic approaches for analyzing multifaceted constructs: the total score approach and the individual score approach. Both approaches can result in conceptual ambiguity. The proposed bifactor model assesses simultaneously the general construct shared by the facets and the specific facets, over and above the general construct. We illustrate the bifactor model by examining the construct of Extraversion as measured by the Revised NEO Personality Inventory (NEO‐PI‐R; Costa & McCrae, 1992), with two college samples (N = 383 and 378). The analysis reveals that the facets of the NEO‐PI‐R Extraversion correlate with criteria in opposite directions after partialling out the general construct. The direction of gender differences also varies by facets. Bifactor models combine the advantages but avoid the drawbacks of the 2 existing methods and can lead to greater conceptual clarity.
Robust production of virus‐like particles and monoclonal antibodies with geminiviral replicon vectors in lettuce
Authors: Lai Huafang , He Junyun , Engle Michael , Diamond Michael S. , Chen Qiang
Published: September 2011

Pharmaceutical protein production in plants has been greatly promoted by the development of viral‐based vectors and transient expression systems. Tobacco and related Nicotiana species are currently the most common host plants for the generation of plant‐made pharmaceutical proteins (PMPs). Downstream processing of target PMPs from these plants, however, is hindered by potential technical and regulatory difficulties owing to the presence of high levels of phenolics and toxic alkaloids. Here, we explored the use of lettuce, which grows quickly yet produces low levels of secondary metabolites and viral vector‐based transient expression systems to develop a robust PMP production platform. Our results showed that a geminiviral replicon system based on the bean yellow dwarf virus permits high‐level expression in lettuce of virus‐like particles (VLP) derived from the Norwalk virus capsid protein and therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against Ebola and West Nile viruses. These vaccine and therapeutic candidates can be readily purified from lettuce leaves with scalable processing methods while fully retaining functional activity. Furthermore, this study also demonstrated the feasibility of using commercially produced lettuce for high‐level PMP production. This allows our production system to have access to unlimited quantities of inexpensive plant material for large‐scale production. These results establish a new production platform for biological pharmaceutical agents that are effective, safe, low cost, and amenable to large‐scale manufacturing.
Developing Relationships, Being Cool, and Not Looking Like a Loser: Social Goal Orientation Predicts Children’s Responses to Peer Aggression
Authors: Rudolph Karen D. , Abaied Jamie L. , Flynn Megan , Sugimura Niwako , Agoston Anna Monica
Published: September 2011

This research explored the contribution of social goal orientation, specifically, development (improving social skills and relationships), demonstration‐approach (gaining positive judgments), and demonstration‐avoidance (minimizing negative judgments). Children (N = 373; M age = 7.97, SD = .34) were followed from 2nd to 3rd grades. Validity of the social goal orientation construct was established through correlations with situation‐specific goals and social adjustment. Development goals predicted adaptive responses (more effortful engagement, problem solving, advice seeking; fewer involuntary responses); demonstration goals predicted maladaptive responses (less effortful engagement, problem solving; more disengagement, retaliation). This study contributes to theoretical understanding of the process of peer aggression and interventions to promote optimal social health.
Trajectories of Parenting and Child Negative Emotionality During Infancy and Toddlerhood: A Longitudinal Analysis
Authors: Lipscomb Shannon Tierney , Leve Leslie D. , Harold Gordon T. , Neiderhiser Jenae M. , Shaw Daniel S. , Ge Xiaojia , Reiss David
Published: September 2011

The current longitudinal study examined trajectories of child negative emotionality, parenting efficacy, and overreactive parenting among 382 adoptive families during infancy and toddlerhood. Data were collected from adoptive parents when the children were 9‐, 18‐, and 27‐month‐old. Latent growth curve modeling indicated age‐related increases in child negative emotionality and overreactive parenting for adoptive fathers and adoptive mothers (AM), and decreases in parent efficacy among AM. Increases in child negative emotionality were also associated with increases in parent overreactivity and decreases in maternal efficacy. Mothers’ and fathers’ developmental patterns were linked within but not across parenting domains. Limitations and directions for future research are discussed.
Taxing Sin Goods and Subsidizing Health Care*
Authors: Cremer Helmuth , De Donder Philippe , Maldonado Darío , Pestieau Pierre
Published: September 2011

We study the taxation of sin goods in a two‐period, three‐good model. Individuals can buy health care to compensate for the damages caused by their earlier sin‐good consumption. Individuals are myopic and underestimate the effect of the sinful consumption on health; in their second period, they may acknowledge their mistake or persist in their error. We characterize and compare the first‐best and the (linear) second‐best taxes in these different settings. In particular, we examine how the results are affected by the way sin‐good consumption and health care interact in health production technology.
Evaluation of the Norwegian version of the Adolescent Stress Questionnaire (ASQ‐N): Factorial validity across samples
Authors: MOKSNES UNNI K. , ESPNES GEIR A.
Published: September 2011

Moksnes, U. K. & Espnes, G. A. (2011). Evaluation of the Norwegian version of the Adolescent Stress Questionnaire (ASQ‐N): Factorial validity across samples. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology 52, 601–608.

In spite of the potential significance of stressors, the past decades have yielded only limited and incremental progress in the field of the development of valid and reliable stress inventories for adolescents. The Adolescent Stress Questionnaire (ASQ‐N) was developed to address the domain of stressors specific to adolescent experience. The present study reports an evaluation of factorial validity, as well as the construct validity of the Norwegian version of the Adolescent Stress Questionnaire (ASQ‐N) across two samples, with the use of confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Gender and age differences on the ASQ‐N sub‐dimensions are also evaluated. The CFA supported a seven‐factor structure, where all sub‐dimensions showed adequate internal consistency. The sub‐dimensions were correlated positively with measures of depression and anxiety, and were correlated negatively with self‐esteem, supporting the construct validity of the ASQ‐N. Significant gender differences in self‐reported adolescent stress were found in five of the seven scales, where girls had higher mean scores than boys. The correlation between each stress scale and age was weak, with significant correlations found in four of the seven scales. It is suggested that the ASQ‐N is a measure of adolescent stress that is adequate for the research context, as well as for clinical investigation.
MONETARY POLICY RULES AND BUSINESS CYCLE CONDITIONS*
Authors: KAZANAS THANASSIS , PHILIPPOPOULOS APOSTOLIS , TZAVALIS ELIAS
Published: September 2011

This paper estimates a threshold monetary policy rule model for the USA, UK and Japan to investigate if monetary policy changes depend on business cycle conditions, i.e. recessions and expansions of the economy. Then, the paper evaluates the policy implications of this monetary policy rule. Using a long span of data, the paper provides clear‐cut evidence that, while during expansions the monetary authorities of the above countries follow the Taylor rule, during recessions they tend to abandon this policy rule and follow a passive monetary policy focused on interest rate smoothing over time. As shown in the paper, this passive monetary policy can not dampen the volatility effects of negative demand or supply macroeconomic shocks on the economy.
Consistent Cash Flow Valuation with Tax‐Deductible Debt: a Clarification
Authors: Dempsey Mike
Published: September 2011

Massari et al. (2008) argue that the weighted average cost of capital (WACC) approach to discounting expected cash flows is generally inconsistent with the adjusted present value (APV) approach. We show that their argument results from, first, taking a WACC expression that assumes a fixed level of debt in perpetuity and applying it to a scenario where the debt level varies stochastically; and, second, discounting the tax savings from stochastic debt at the rate appropriate for fixed debt. Our paper draws attention to the fundamental proposition by which such errors are avoided when cross‐referencing valuation methods. The outcome is that the APV and WACC methods are shown to be algebraically consistent with each other.
National and Local Vulnerability to Climate‐Related Disasters in Latin America: The Role of Social Asset‐Based Adaptation
Authors: RUBIN OLIVER , ROSSING TINE
Published: September 2011

The Latin American region is particularly prone to climate‐related natural hazards. However, this article argues that natural hazards are only partly to blame for the region's vulnerability to natural disasters with quantitative evidence suggesting instead that income per capita and inequality are main determinants of natural disaster mortality in Latin America. Locally, the region's poor are particularly susceptible to climate‐related natural hazards. As a result of their limited access to capital, adaptation based on social assets constitutes an effective coping strategy. Evidence from Bolivia and Belize illustrates the importance of social assets in protecting the most vulnerable against natural disasters.
Dexamethasone‐induced up‐regulation of the human norepinephrine transporter involves the glucocorticoid receptor and increased binding of C/EBP‐β to the proximal promoter of norepinephrine transporter
Authors: Zha Qinqin , Wang Yan , Fan Yan , Zhu Meng‐Yang
Published: September 2011

J. Neurochem. (2011) 119, 654–663.

Previously, we have found glucocorticoids up‐regulate norepinephrine (NE) transporter (NET) expression in vitro. However, the underlying transcriptional mechanism is poorly understood. In this study, the role of glucocorticoids on the transcriptional regulation of NET was investigated. Exposure of neuroblastoma SK‐N‐BE(2)M17 cells to dexamethasone (Dex) significantly increased NET mRNA and protein levels in a time‐ and dose‐dependent manner. This effect was attenuated by glucocorticoid receptor (GR) antagonist mifepristone, suggesting that up‐regulation of NET by Dex was mediated by the GR. In reporter gene assays, exposure of cells to Dex resulted in dose‐dependent increases of luciferase activity that were also prevented by mifepristone. Serial deletions of the NET promoter delineated Dex‐responsiveness to a −301 to −148 bp region containing a CCAAT/enhancer binding protein‐β (C/EBP‐β) response element. Co‐immunoprecipitation experiments demonstrated that Dex treatment caused the interaction of the GR with C/EBP‐β. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay revealed that Dex exposure resulted in binding of both GR and C/EBP‐β to the NET promoter. Further experiments showed that mutation of the C/EBP‐β response element abrogated C/EBP‐β‐ and GR‐mediated transactivation of NET. These findings demonstrate that Dex‐induced increase in NET expression is mediated by the GR via a non‐conventional transcriptional mechanism involving interaction of C/EBP‐β with a C/EBP‐β response element.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis‐immunoglobulins selectively interact with neuromuscular junctions expressing P/Q‐type calcium channels
Authors: Gonzalez Laura E. , Kotler Mónica L. , Vattino Lucas G. , Conti Eugenia , Reisin Ricardo C. , Mulatz Kirk J. , Snutch Terrance P. , Uchitel Osvaldo D.
Published: September 2011

J. Neurochem. (2011) 119, 826–847.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by a gradual loss of motoneurons. The majority of ALS cases are associated with a sporadic form whose etiology is unknown. Several pieces of evidence favor autoimmunity as a potential contributor to sporadic ALS pathology. To gain understanding concerning possible antigens interacting with IgGs from sporadic ALS patients (ALS–IgGs), we studied immunoreactivity against neuromuscular junction (NMJ), spinal cord and cerebellum of mice with and without the CaV2.1 pore‐forming subunit of the P/Q‐type voltage‐gated calcium (Ca2+) channel. ALS–IgGs showed a strong reactivity against NMJs of wild‐type diaphragms. ALS–IgGs also increased muscle miniature end‐plate potential frequency, suggesting a functional role for ALS–IgGs on synaptic signaling. In support, in mice lacking the CaV2.1 subunit ALS–IgGs showed significantly reduced NMJ immunoreactivity and did not alter spontaneous acetylcholine release. This difference in reactivity was absent when comparing N‐type Ca2+ channel wild‐type or null mice. These results are particularly relevant because motoneurons are known to be early pathogenic targets in ALS. Our findings add further evidence supporting autoimmunity as one of the possible mechanisms contributing to ALS pathology. They also suggest that serum autoantibodies in a subset of ALS patients would interact with NMJ proteins down‐regulated when P/Q‐type channels are absent.
Sonoran Desert Ecosystem transformation by a C4 grass without the grass/fire cycle
Authors: Olsson Aaryn D. , Betancourt Julio , McClaran Mitchel P. , Marsh Stuart E.
Published: September 2011

Aim  Biological invasions facilitate ecosystem transformation by altering the structure and function, diversity, dominance and disturbance regimes. A classic case is the grass–fire cycle in which grass invasion increases the frequency, scale and/or intensity of wildfires and promotes the continued invasion of invasive grasses. Despite wide acceptance of the grass–fire cycle, questions linger about the relative roles that interspecific plant competition and fire play in ecosystem transformations.

Location  Sonoran Desert Arizona Upland of the Santa Catalina Mountains, Arizona, USA.

Methods  We measured species cover, density and saguaro (Carnegiea gigantea) size structure along gradients of Pennisetum ciliare invasion at 10 unburned/ungrazed P. ciliare patches. Regression models quantified differences in diversity, cover and density with respect to P. ciliare cover, and residence time and a Fisher’s exact test detected demographic changes in saguaro populations. Because P. ciliare may have initially invaded locations that were both more invasible and less diverse, we ran analyses with and without the plots in which initial infestations were located.

Results  Richness and diversity decreased with P. ciliare cover as did cover and density of most dominant species. Richness and diversity declined with increasing time since invasion, suggesting an ongoing transformation. The proportion of old‐to‐young Carnegiea gigantea was significantly lower in plots with dominant P. ciliare cover.

Main conclusions  Rich desert scrub (15–25 species per plot) was transformed into depauperate grassland (2–5 species per plot) within 20 years following P. ciliare invasion without changes to the fire regime. While the onset of a grass–fire cycle may drive ecosystem change in the later stages and larger scales of grass invasions of arid lands, competition by P. ciliare can drive small‐scale transformations earlier in the invasion. Linking competition‐induced transformation rates with spatially explicit models of spread may be necessary for predicting landscape‐level impacts on ecosystem processes in advance of a grass–fire cycle.
Naturalization of exotic plant species in north‐eastern North America: trends and detection capacity
Authors: Lavoie Claude , Saint‐Louis Annie , Guay Geneviève , Groeneveld Elisabeth , Villeneuve Paul
Published: September 2011

Aim  To reconstruct historical naturalization trends of exotic vascular plants in Quebec and Massachusetts, two regions that experienced fluctuations in their herbarium specimen collection efforts. We hypothesized that the observed trends are linked to the collection effort and that they differ according to the motive for plant introduction.

Methods  A checklist of naturalized exotic plant taxa for Quebec, including oldest proof of naturalization and motive for introduction, was built from herbaria, journals, dissertations, theses, bulletins, websites and unpublished records. For Massachusetts, we used the checklist of Sorrie (2005; Rhodora, 107, 284–329). The collection effort was estimated from a pool of species with specimens from the five largest Quebec herbaria and from the Harvard University Herbarium.

Results  Naturalization trends of exotic plants in Quebec are similar to those observed in Massachusetts. A large part of the plants naturalized in the 17th, 18th or 19th centuries, with very little naturalization during the last 30–90 years. In general, there is a significant statistical link between herbarium specimen collection effort and the discovery of new naturalized plant taxa. Very few utilitarian plants naturalized in either region during the 20th century. In Quebec, a high number of ornamental plants naturalized during the last 100 years.

Main conclusions  The link between herbarium specimen collection effort and the discovery of new naturalized plants is real, although not as straightforward as it seems. Our analysis suggests that at least part of the decline in the number of new naturalized exotic plants observed in Quebec and Massachusetts during the last 30–90 years is a direct consequence of the low interest for traditional floristic studies. However, the possibility of a real decline cannot be ruled out. We nevertheless provide here one of the first pieces of evidence of the potential consequences of the decline of local plant collection for environmental management and especially for early detection systems of new invaders.
Recent behavioural and population genetic divergence of an invasive ant in a novel environment
Authors: Gruber Monica A. M. , Hoffmann Benjamin D. , Ritchie Peter A. , Lester Philip J.
Published: September 2011

Aim  Invasive species frequently exhibit high temporal and spatial variation in abundance. Although ecological aspects undoubtedly affect this variation, genetic factors may also play a part. The invasive unicolonial yellow crazy ant Anoplolepis gracilipes exhibits considerable variation in abundance throughout its extensive distribution in Australia’s Northern Territory, where it was first detected in the 1980s. First, we aimed to determine whether A. gracilipes variation in abundance was associated with behavioural and genetic differentiation of the population and to determine whether one or more introductions occurred. Second, we investigated whether the A. gracilipes population was genetically and behaviourally heterogeneous to determine whether population divergence has occurred since introduction.

Location  Tropical monsoonal savanna in Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia.

Methods  Ant abundances were assessed at 13 sites throughout the study region. We used mitochondrial DNA sequences and microsatellite molecular markers to determine population genetic structure, which we correlated with abundance. Behavioural differentiation was assayed using aggression trials and analysed together with genetic data to investigate population divergence.

Results  Although we found considerable variation in abundance, we found no association between population structure and differences in abundance. Our analyses suggest that A. gracilipes ants in Arnhem Land resulted from a single introduction. The population is not homogeneous, however, as aggression scores varied over both genetic and geographic distance. We also found a positive relationship between genetic and geographic distance.

Main conclusions  The variation in abundance in the Arnhem Land population of A. gracilipes is clearly not owing to invasion by ants from different sources. The genetic and behavioural differentiation we observed is suggestive of incipient genetic and behavioural divergence, which may be expected over time when an invasive species enters in a new environment.
DID NEANDERTHALS PLAY MUSIC? X‐RAY COMPUTED MICRO‐TOMOGRAPHY OF THE DIVJE BABE ‘FLUTE’*
Authors: TUNIZ C. , BERNARDINI F. , TURK I. , DIMKAROSKI L. , MANCINI L. , DREOSSI D.
Published: September 2011

Archaeological evidence for wind musical instruments made by modern humans has been well established from the Upper Palaeolithic in Europe. Musical instruments evidently made by Neanderthals have not been found so far. The most controversial object is a juvenile cave bear femur with two complete holes, found in 1995 in the Middle Palaeolithic layers of the Cave Divje babe I, Slovenia. The bone was interpreted as a possible Neanderthal ‘flute’, but some scholars have firmly rejected this hypothesis on the basis of taphonomic observations, suggesting a carnivore origin for the holes. Here, we show the results of X‐ray computed micro‐tomography (mCT) performed on the Divje babe I ‘flute’. Our analyses demonstrate that there were originally four holes, possibly made with pointed stones and bone tools. Most surface modifications near the holes, previously interpreted as effects of carnivore gnawing, are post‐depositional marks. Furthermore, a thin layer has been removed around one of the complete holes, producing a flat surface, possibly to facilitate perforation. The new data show that a Neanderthal manufacture of the object cannot be ruled out.
Nurse Staffing and Deficiencies in the Largest For‐Profit Nursing Home Chains and Chains Owned by Private Equity Companies
Authors: Harrington Charlene , Olney Brian , Carrillo Helen , Kang Taewoon
Published: September 2011

Objective

To compare staffing levels and deficiencies of the 10 largest U.S. for‐profit nursing home chains with five other ownership groups and chain staffing and deficiencies before and after purchase by four private equity (PE) companies.

Data Sources

Facilities for the largest for‐profit chains were identified through Internet searches and company reports and matched with federal secondary data for 2003–2008 for each ownership group.

Study Design

Descriptive statistics and generalized estimation equation panel regression models examined staffing and deficiencies by ownership groups in the 2003–2008 period, controlling for facility characteristics, resident acuity, and market factors with state fixed effects.

Principal Findings

The top 10 for‐profit chains had lower registered nurse and total nurse staffing hours than government facilities, controlling for other factors. The top 10 chains received 36 percent higher deficiencies and 41 percent higher serious deficiencies than government facilities. Other for‐profit facilities also had lower staffing and higher deficiencies than government facilities. The chains purchased by PE companies showed little change in staffing levels, but the number of deficiencies and serious deficiencies increased in some postpurchase years compared with the prepurchase period.

Conclusions

There is a need for greater study of large for‐profit chains as well as those chains purchased by PE companies.
Masitinib demonstrates anti‐proliferative and pro‐apoptotic activity in primary and metastatic feline injection‐site sarcoma cells*
Authors: Lawrence J. , Saba C. , Gogal R. , Lamberth O. , Vandenplas M. L. , Hurley D. J. , Dubreuil P. , Hermine O. , Dobbin K. , Turek M.
Published: September 2011

Dysregulation of platelet‐derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) may play a role in feline injection‐site sarcoma (ISS) cell growth and viability. Masitinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor approved for treatment of canine mast cell tumours, is highly selective for the PDGFR signalling pathway and may offer a new therapeutic approach for this disease. Thein vitroeffects of masitinib on growth, apoptosis and PDGFR signalling in two novel ISS cell lines were investigated. PDGFR expression was confirmed by Western blot in cell lines derived from a primary ISS tumour (JB) and a corresponding, histologically confirmed ISS lung metastasis (JBLM). Masitinib inhibited cell growth and PDGFR phosphorylation in both cell lines. Higher drug concentrations were required to inhibit growth than to modulate ligand‐induced autophosphorylation of PDGFR. Thesein vitrodata suggest that masitinib displays activity against both primary and metastatic ISS cell line and may aid in the clinical management of ISS.
Primary frontal sinus squamous cell carcinoma in three dogs treated with piroxicam combined with carboplatin or toceranib
Authors: de Vos J. , Ramos Vega S. , Noorman E. , de Vos P.
Published: September 2011

In human medicine, primary frontal sinus squamous cell carcinoma (pFS‐SCC) is not frequently reported. In veterinary medicine, frontal sinus SCC is exclusively described as an extension of nasal cavity SCC. To our knowledge, this is the first publication concerning canine pFS‐SCC, diagnosed using histology or cytology and medical imaging, in three dogs. The tumours extended into the orbit or brain cavity, without nasal involvement. Treatment was initiated with piroxicam–carboplatin. Prolongation of carboplatin delivery with a low dose intensity was performed on dogs with a favourable initial response. Dog 1 achieved a complete remission (CR), but was euthanized 344 days after start of therapy. Dog 2, still alive 3 years after start of therapy and in CR, received 14 carboplatin deliveries. In dog 3, after changing the treatment protocol into piroxicam–toceranib, a significant tumour reduction occurred, but the dog was euthanized after 195 days because of a relapse.
Hepatobiliary transporter expression and post‐operative jaundice in patients undergoing partial hepatectomy
Authors: Bernhardt Gerwin A. , Zollner Gernot , Cerwenka Herwig , Kornprat Peter , Fickert Peter , Bacher Heinz , Werkgartner Georg , Müller Gabriele , Zatloukal Kurt , Mischinger Hans‐Jörg , Trauner Michael
Published: September 2011

Background and aims

Post‐operative hyperbilirubinaemia in patients undergoing liver resections is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Apart from different known factors responsible for the development of post‐operative jaundice, little is known about the role of hepatobiliary transport systems in the pathogenesis of post‐operative jaundice in humans after liver resection.

Methods

Two liver tissue samples were taken from 14 patients undergoing liver resection before and after Pringle manoeuvre. Patients were retrospectively divided into two groups according to post‐operative bilirubin serum levels. The two groups were analysed comparing the results of hepatobiliary transporter [Na‐taurocholate cotransporter (NTCP); multidrug resistance gene/phospholipid export pump(MDR3); bile salt export pump (BSEP); canalicular bile salt export pump (MRP2)], heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) expression as well as the results of routinely taken post‐operative liver chemistry tests.

Results

Patients with low post‐operative bilirubin had lower levels of NTCP, MDR3 and BSEP mRNA compared to those with high bilirubin after Pringle manoeuvre. HSP70 levels were significantly higher after ischaemia–reperfusion (IR) injury in both groups resulting in 4.5‐fold median increase. Baseline median mRNA expression of all four transporters prior to Pringle manoeuvre tended to be lower in the low bilirubin group whereas expression of HSP70 was higher in the low bilirubin group compared to the high bilirubin group.

Discussion

Higher mRNA levels of HSP70 in the low bilirubin group could indicate a possible protective effect of high HSP70 levels against IR injury. Although the exact role of hepatobiliary transport systems in the development of post‐operative hyper bilirubinemia is not yet completely understood, this study provides new insights into the molecular aspects of post‐operative jaundice after liver surgery.
Should cirrhosis change our attitude towards treating non‐hepatic cancer?
Authors: Cabibbo Giuseppe , Palmeri Laura , Palmeri Sergio , Craxì Antonio
Published: September 2011

Cirrhosis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality and is the end stage of any chronic liver disease. Cancer, a leading cause of death worldwide, is a growing global health issue. There are limited data in the literature on the incidence, prevalence and management of non‐hepatic cancers (NHC) in cirrhotic patients. The aim of this brief review was to underline the main concerns, pitfalls and warnings regarding practice for these patients.

Survival of patients with compensated cirrhosis is significantly longer than that of decompensated cirrhosis and patients with NHC and in Child‐Pugh class C should not be candidates for cytotoxic chemotherapy. It is important before starting cytotoxic chemotherapy to assess the aetiology and stage of liver disease and to screen these patients for portal hypertension and fluid retention. During cytotoxic chemotherapy, the effectiveness of cancer treatment, as well the appearance of early signs of hepatic decompensation, must be thoroughly monitored. Future phase 3 trial designs in oncology should include a share of patients with compensated cirrhosis to obtain specific information in this setting. Identification of tests able to measure the global degree of hepatic impairment caused by cirrhosis could help in the management of this particular clinical situation.
Involvement of cytosolic phospholipase A2 alpha signalling pathway in spontaneous and transforming growth factor‐beta‐induced activation of rat hepatic stellate cells
Authors: Zhao Liena , Gandhi Chandrashekhar R. , Gao Zu‐hua
Published: September 2011

Background

Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are extracellular matrix‐producing cells that play a pivotal role in liver fibrogenesis. During liver injury and when cells are placed in vitro, HSCs undergo phenotypic transition from quiescent retinoid‐storing cells to activated retinoid‐deficient myofibroblast‐like cells. Although several mediators including reactive oxygen species, platelet derived growth factor, transforming growth factor‐beta (TGF‐β) and tumour necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) were implicated in HSC activation, the cellular signalling pathways that regulate this process remain incompletely defined.

Aims

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the role of cytosolic phospholipase A2 alpha (cPLA2α) and peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐beta/delta (PPAR‐β/δ) in HSC activation.

Methods

Rat HSCs were isolated, purified, cultured and stimulated with TGF‐β1 in the presence or absence of the selective cPLA2α inhibitor, arachidonyltrifluoromethyl ketone (AACOCF3). The activation status of HSC was evaluated by immunofluorescent staining of alpha‐smooth muscle actin (α‐SMA) and by measuring the expression of cPLA2α, cyclooxygenase 2 (COX‐2) and PPAR‐β/δ using western blot analysis.

Results

Rapid and significant increase in cPLA2α expression was observed during activation of HSCs. These events preceded the elevation of PPAR‐β/δ and the expression of α‐SMA. Elevated expression of cPLA2α, but not COX‐2, was also observed during TGF‐β‐induced HSC activation. The TGF‐β‐induced α‐SMA expression was blocked by AACOCF3. Furthermore, transfection of a cPLA2α expression vector enhanced the transcription activity of PPAR‐β/δ and the expression of α‐SMA in HSCs.

Conclusion

cPLA2α‐mediated induction of PPAR‐β/δ is a novel intracellular signalling pathway in spontaneous and TGF‐β induced activation of HSCs and could be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of liver fibrosis.
What Role Should Government Regulation Play in Ecological Restoration? Ongoing Debate in São Paulo State, Brazil
Authors: Aronson James , Brancalion Pedro H. S. , Durigan Giselda , Rodrigues Ricardo R. , Engel Vera L. , Tabarelli Marcelo , Torezan José M. D. , Gandolfi Sergius , de Melo Antônio C. G. , Kageyama Paulo Y. , Marques Márcia C. M. , Nave André G. , Martins Sebastião V. , Gandara Flávio B. , Reis Ademir , Barbosa Luiz M. , Scarano Fabio R.
Published: September 2011

Around the world, there is growing desire and momentum for ecological restoration to happen faster, with better quality, and in more extensive areas. The question we ask is how can laws and governmental regulations best contribute to effective, successful, and broad‐scale restoration? In the state of São Paulo, Brazil, there is a legal instrument (SMA 08‐2008) whose aim is to increase the effectiveness of tropical forest restoration projects in particular. It establishes, among other things, requirements regarding the minimum number of native tree species to be reached within a given period of time in restoration projects and the precise proportion of functional groups or threatened species to be included when reforestation with native species is used as a restoration technique. There are, however, two differing perspectives among Brazilian restoration ecologists on the appropriateness of such detailed legal rules. For some, the rules help increase the chances that mandatory projects of ecological restoration will succeed. For the other group, there is no single way to achieve effective ecosystem restoration, and the existing science and know‐how are far from sufficient to establish standardized technical and methodological norms or to justify that such norms be imposed. Both points of view are discussed here, aiming to help those developing new legislation and improving existing laws about ecological restoration. The precedents established in São Paulo, and at the federal level in Brazil, and the ongoing debate about those laws are worth considering and possibly applying elsewhere.
An Ecosystem Model for Exploring Lake Restoration Effects on Fish Communities and Fisheries in Florida
Authors: Rogers Mark W. , Allen Micheal S.
Published: September 2011

Developing quantitative ecosystem–scale expectations of habitat restoration projects and examining trade‐offs associated with alternative approaches has been a challenge for restoration ecology. Many of the largest freshwater lake restoration projects have occurred in Florida to remediate degradation to vegetated littoral habitats resulting from stabilized water levels, but effects across lake food‐webs have not been assessed. We developed an ecosystem model using Ecopath with Ecosim and Ecospace for a generalized large, eutrophic Florida Lake to explore how simulated restoration activities could influence fish communities with emphasis on sport fish abundance. We modeled three habitat restoration scenarios: (1) “no control,” (2) a “10‐year control” that restored littoral habitat every 10 years, and (3) a “combined control” scenario that restored littoral habitat every 10 years with maintenance controls between 10‐year periods. Our “combined control” scenario provided the largest long‐term habitat restoration benefits for sport fish abundance and the fisheries they support. In Ecospace, we simulated a littoral habitat restoration project that reduced lake‐wide tussock coverage from 30 to 15%. Ecospace predicted positive benefits to sport fish and fisheries following the restoration simulation and highlighted the importance of habitat edge effects, spatial design of habitat restoration projects, and sampling designs for evaluating restoration projects.
Comparing the Fish and Benthic Macroinvertebrate Diversity of Restored Urban Streams to Reference Streams
Authors: Stranko Scott A. , Hilderbrand Robert H. , Palmer Margaret A.
Published: September 2011

Urbanization is associated with substantial losses to stream biological diversity throughout the United States' mid‐Atlantic. Stream restoration has been used to improve stream conditions and, in part, to ameliorate these losses. However, the relationship between restoration and recovery of biological diversity is unclear. Our objective was to critically examine the efficacy of urban stream restorations with regard to biological diversity. We compared restored urban streams to urban nonrestored, nonurban, and reference (minimally degraded) streams using five measures each of fish and benthic macroinvertebrate diversity. Both multivariate and univariate statistical analyses show biological diversity of restored urban streams to be similar to nonrestored urban streams and lower than nonurban and reference streams. Restored urban sites showed no apparent increase in biological diversity through time, while diversity decreased at two of the reference streams coincident with increased urban development within their catchments. Our results indicate that restoration approaches commonly used regionally as in these urban streams are not leading to recovery of native stream biodiversity. Evidence from several sources indicates a need for dramatic changes in restoration approach, and we argue for a watershed‐scale focus including protection of the least impacted streams and adopting other land‐based actions within the watershed where possible.