bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Innate or learned acoustic recognition of avian predators in rodents?
Authors: Kindermann Teresa , Siemers Björn M. , Fendt Markus
Published: January 2009

Calls of avian predators potentially predict danger for murine rodents. Indeed, exposure of field-experienced rodents to owl calls induces defensive behavior suggesting that recognition of vocalizations of avian predators is innate. To address this hypothesis, we investigated whether laboratory-reared and predator-naive rodents (mice, gerbils, rats) express defensive behavior in response to calls of different avian predators but we observed no such defensive behavior. We then asked whether the calls of avian predators are faster or better learned as a danger-predicting cue than the calls of avian non-predators. All calls could be learned as danger-predicting cues, but we found no differences in the speed or strength of the learning. Taken together,our results suggest that there is no innate recognition of the calls of avian predators in murine rodents and that the recognition of the calls of avian predators observed in field-experienced rodents is acquired by learning.
Numerical investigation of the hydrodynamics of anguilliform swimming in the transitional and inertial flow regimes
Authors: Borazjani Iman , Sotiropoulos Fotis
Published: January 2009

We employ numerical simulation to investigate the hydrodynamic performance of anguilliform locomotion and compare it with that of carangiform swimming as the Reynolds number (Re) and the tail-beat frequency (Strouhal number, St) are systematically varied. The virtual swimmer is a 3-D lamprey-like flexible body undulating with prescribed experimental kinematics of anguilliform type. Simulations are carried out for three Reynolds numbers spanning the transitional and inertial flow regimes, Re=300, 4000(viscous flow), and ∞ (inviscid flow). The net mean force is found to be mainly dependent on the tail-beat frequency rather than the tail-beat amplitude. The critical Strouhal number, St*, at which the net mean force becomes zero (constant-speed self-propulsion) is, similar to carangiform swimming, a decreasing function of Re and approaches the range of St numbers at which most anguilliform swimmers swim in nature (St∼0.45) only as Re increases. The anguilliform swimmer's force time series is characterized by significantly smaller fluctuations above the mean than that for carangiform swimmers. In stark contrast with carangiform swimmers, the propulsive efficiency of anguilliform swimmers at St* is not an increasing function of Re but instead is maximized in the transitional regime. Furthermore,the power required for anguilliform swimming is less than that for the carangiform swimmer at the same Re. We also show that the form drag decreases while viscous drag increases as St increases. Finally, our simulations reinforce our previous finding for carangiform swimmers that the 3-D wake structure depends primarily on the Strouhal number.
Physiological variation in amethyst sunbirds (Chalcomitra amethystina) over an altitudinal gradient in winter
Authors: Lindsay Claire V. , Downs Colleen T. , Brown Mark
Published: January 2009

Flexibility of metabolic rates within a species allows for the colonization of different habitats along an altitudinal and thus temperature gradient. The distribution range of amethyst sunbirds (Chalcomitra amethystina)within southern Africa includes an altitudinal gradient from the Drakensberg to the coast of KwaZulu-Natal. We expected that over this altitudinal gradient amethyst sunbirds would exhibit variation in winter metabolic rates,particularly basal metabolic rates (BMR) and resting metabolic rate (RMR) pre-and post-acclimation. Sunbirds from three locations, Underberg (1553 m above sea level; asl), Howick (1075 m asl) and Oribi Gorge (541 m asl) were used for this study. Upon capture, metabolic rate was measured indirectly by quantifying oxygen consumption(V̇O2) using flow-through respirometry, at 5 and 25°C. Birds were then acclimated at 25°C for 6 weeks on a 12 h:12 h L:D cycle. V̇O2 was measured post-acclimation at eight different temperatures (15, 5, 10, 20, 30, 28, 25 and 33°C). We found little variation in winter V̇O2 between individuals from the same locality, whereas significant variation was observed in V̇O2 at the same temperatures between individuals from the different localities and thus between altitudes. In particular, winter BMR decreased significantly with decreasing altitude post-acclimation. This study emphasizes the need to understand plasticity/flexibility in metabolic rates and to acknowledge altitudinal differences within a species, to make accurate predictions about the thermal physiology of a species and its responses to changes in ambient temperatures.
Frequency information in the vibration-cued escape hatching of red-eyed treefrogs
Authors: Caldwell Michael S. , McDaniel J. Gregory , Warkentin Karen M.
Published: January 2009

Incidental acoustic and vibrational cues generated by predators are a potential source of information for prey assessing risk. Substrate vibrations should be excited by most predators, and frequency, amplitude or temporal properties could allow prey to distinguish predator from benign-source vibrations. Red-eyed treefrog embryos detect egg predators using vibrations excited during attacks, hatching rapidly and prematurely to escape. We recorded vibrations in egg clutches during attacks by five species of predators and three common types of benign physical disturbance. We analyzed their frequency distributions to assess if and how frequency properties could be used to discriminate between vibration sources and used vibration playbacks to examine the effects of frequency properties on the escape hatching response. Vibrations produced by predators and benign disturbances generally have broad and overlapping frequency distributions, and all frequencies excited by attacks are also excited by benign disturbances. Decision rules based on the frequency distribution of vibrations alone would therefore result in either high levels of hatching in response to benign vibrations (false alarms) or common failures to hatch in response to predators (missed cues). Nevertheless, embryos hatch in response to predator and not benign disturbances in nature, and our playback results show that vibration frequency information is an important component of their hatching decision. Embryos combine frequency with temporal information to refine their hatching response. Moreover, comparing frequency spectra of predator and benign vibrations suggests that the presence of energy in frequencies outside the range characteristic of attacks might serve as an indicator of benign disturbance.
Operating environment and USA nursing homes' participation in the subacute care market: a longitudinal analysis
Authors: Weech-Maldonado Robert , Qaseem Amir , Mkanta William
Published: January 2009

We examined the impact of environmental factors on USA nursing homes' participation in the subacute care market. Findings suggest that the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 did not have a significant impact in the participation of nursing homes in the subacute care market from 1998 to 2000. However, there was a declining trend in the participation of nursing homes in the subacute care market after the implementation of Medicare prospective payment system (PPS). Furthermore, nursing homes with a higher proportion of Medicare residents were more likely to exit the subacute care market after PPS. Results also suggest that nursing homes have responded strategically to the environmental demand for subacute care services. Nursing homes located in markets with higher Medicare managed care penetration were more likely to offer subacute care services. Environmental munificence was also an important predictor of nursing home innovation into subacute care. Nursing homes in states with higher Medicaid reimbursement and those in less competitive markets were more likely to participate in the subacute care market.
The development of an ongoing monitoring and evaluation system in a NORC service organization
Authors: Cohen-Mansfield Jiska , Frank Julia K
Published: January 2009

The objective of this study was to describe the development, utilization and utility of an ongoing evaluation of a system of coordinated services to persons living in two naturally occurring retirement communities (NORCs).

The evaluation system includes service provision, service utilization and client satisfaction. It identifies trends in provided services and determines how services are utilized. A continuous monitoring system for reporting and quality improvement was developed with the four service agencies associated with the service provision system. The monthly data from each agency are compiled and distributed in the form of a report.

The evaluation project was successful in tailoring the reporting system to each agency. Multiple issues arose with staff compliance in utilization of the system, but, overall, the system evaluation presents detailed feedback on the services provided and helps with continuing development, testing of new delivery models, planning, maximizing resource utilization, customer service, and attaining and sustaining funding.

A system evaluation of an organization that provides services to a community is vital to optimizing frequency and quality of services. There are many ways to implement system evaluations. However, the use of electronic-based records increases the likelihood of maintaining and utilizing the system.
Travel-related costs of population dispersion in the provision of domiciliary care to the elderly: a case study in English Local Authorities
Authors: Hindle Tony , Hindle Giles , Spollen Martin
Published: January 2009

The aim of this research has been to make a contribution to deliberations concerning the relative costs of provision of domiciliary services for the elderly in local authorities in England and the implications for funding. The main services considered have been day-centre services and home-care services, and the particular cost areas investigated have been travel-related costs as associated with distances travelled by day-centre vehicles and care workers and with worker travelling hours. These costs are influenced by the population settlement and dispersion characteristics of the areas served and funding mechanisms are needed (and are in place) to compensate service providers. However, current mechanisms have been widely criticized and the research reported here reaches conclusions about whether such criticisms are justified and how improvements might be brought about. The methods used have involved detailed operational modelling of the selected services in a sample of local authority areas and the generalization of the findings to England as a whole.
A quasi-experimental study on a community-based behaviour change programme among injecting drug users in Sichuan, China
Authors: Zhou J-S , Zhang K-L , Zhang L-L , Kang J-X , Zhang J-X , Lai W-H , Liu L , Liu G , Zeng Y-L
Published: January 2009

The objective of this study is to explore an effective model of comprehensive intervention on HIV/AIDS among injecting drug users (IDUs) in communities located in urban areas and to evaluate its feasibility in Sichuan Province, China. A quasi-experimental study was designed so that various intervention measures were conducted in the intervention city but not in the control city. A Behaviour Surveillance Survey was introduced to evaluate intervention exposure and the effect of behaviour change. In the intervention city, services received by IDUs increased over time ( P < 0.001). Awareness of HIV increased from 34.2% in 2003 to 58.3% in 2004, and to 67.4% in 2005 ( P < 0.001). The proportion of IDUs surveyed who shared a needle the last time they injected drugs decreased from 17.1% in 2003 to 7.0% in 2005, and in terms of the past month from 42.4% in 2003 to 18.4% in 2005 ( P < 0.001). Data from a multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that comprehensive intervention was a protective factor for behaviour change (odds ratio [OR] =0.561; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.424–0.741). A well-designed and organized comprehensive intervention programme will effectively change the high-risk behaviour among IDUs in these communities. A more comprehensive, expanded and integrated response is needed when conducting an HIV/AIDS prevention programme.
Improvement of the patient flow in a large urban clinic with high HIV seroprevalence in Kampala, Uganda
Authors: Castelnuovo B , Babigumira J , Lamorde M , Muwanga A , Kambugu A , Colebunders R
Published: January 2009

Antiretroviral treatment roll-out programmes in Africa often have difficulties to cope with the increasing number of clients. Based on the findings of a survey carried out in 2005 that showed long waiting times, innovative organizational changes (nurse visits and pharmacy-only refill visits) were introduced in our clinic. In August 2007, the survey was repeated to evaluate the impact of these changes. During both surveys we used the same standardized questionnaire. In 2007, 400 patients visited the clinic on the study day compared to 250 in 2005. The median time spent at the clinic decreased from 157 minutes in 2005 (range 22–426) to 124 minutes (15–314). All the waiting times for different services decreased except the time between the visit to the triage nurse and the doctors' visit. A similar methodology could be used by other health services to evaluate and compare different models of care.
Long-term suppressive therapy for herpes simplex – an audit
Authors: Deko O A , Pakozdi A , Evans D T P , Jaleel H
Published: January 2009

A retrospective analysis of patients, who have been on long-term suppressive therapy for recurrent episodes of herpes simplex (HSV) in a university hospital, was performed and the findings were documented and orchestrated into bar graphs. The study involved patients between the years 2000 and 2007, both inclusive. The results were compared with the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV guidelines. Eighty-two percent (57) had had the infection for at least 12 months at the start of therapy and 78.2% (54) had at least six recurrences per year before the start of treatment. Indeed, only four patients (5.8%) had a treatment interruption at 12 months or less; also only 11 patients (15.9%) had less than six outbreaks per year at the start of treatment. The former is not in-line and the latter is in-line with the guidelines.
Behaviourally bisexual men as a bridge population for HIV and sexually transmitted infections? Evidence from a national probability survey
Authors: Mercer C H , Hart G J , Johnson A M , Cassell J A
Published: January 2009

We consider the potential of behaviourally bisexual men (BBM) as a bridge population in sexually transmitted infection (STI)/HIV transmission by comparing sexual risk behaviours, attitudes and sexual health outcomes of BBM (defined as men who reported sex with men and women), with men who reported (i) exclusively male partners (MEMP) and (ii) exclusively female partners (MEFP), using a probability survey of the British general population aged 16–44 years, conducted between 1999 and 2001 ( n = 5168 men). About 1.3% of men who reported sex in the past five years were BBM (44.1% of all men reporting male partners); 29.0% of BBM were married/cohabiting with women. Median partner numbers in this timeframe were seven among BBM, two among MEFP and 10 among MEMP. Similar proportions of BBM and MEMP reported STI diagnosis/es in the past five years, yet BBM were less likely than MEMP to report HIV-testing (odds ratio adjusted for sociodemographics: 0.31). BBM are thus mid-way between MEFP and MEMP in their sexual risk behaviour, but are similar to MEMP in reporting STI diagnosis/es. These data have implications for health promotion and partner notification, as BBM are unlikely to be appropriately targeted by safe-sex messages aimed at men identifying as gay.
Can bacterial vaginosis help to find sexually transmitted diseases, especially chlamydial cervicitis?
Authors: Yoshimura K , Yoshimura M , Kobayashi T , Kubo T , Hachisuga T , Kashimura M
Published: January 2009

This study was undertaken to establish reliable factors in order to identify chlamydial cervicitis among suspicious patients. Between January and December 2007, 406 patients who were suspected to have cervicitis due to clinical symptoms, were tested with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), vaginal pH and Nugent score (NS) in our University hospital and related clinics. During the same period, 67 patients who were diagnosed as having other sexually transmitted diseases ( Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), Trichomonas vaginalis, Condyloma acuminatum and genital herpes) were also made to participate in this study. Eighty-nine women (22%) were positive for CT PCR. Bacterial vaginosis (BV)-positive women were tested positive for CT PCR (75/288), significantly higher than those without BV (6/66, P = 0.01). In addition, under 20-years old women were positive for CT PCR (24/57), significantly higher than those who were over 30 years old (16/113, P = 0.001). The proportion of patients with high NS (>7) in CT, NG and T. vaginalis cases were 75/89 (84.3%), 22/27 (81.5%) and 11/14 (78.6%), respectively. Whereas the high NS of the C. acuminatum and genital herpes groups were recorded at 7/14 (50%) and 4/12 (33.3%), respectively. Younger women with BV could be at a higher risk for STDs, especially for CT cervicitis.
Burden of syphilis infections in Shenzhen, China: a preliminary estimation
Authors: Hong F-C , Feng T-J , Cai Y-M , Wen L-Z , Pan P , Lan L-N , Lai Y-H , Zhou H , Liu X-L , Lin S-P , Chen G , Chen X-S
Published: January 2009

Information on the prevalence and incidence of sexually transmitted infections is important for developing prevention and control strategies and allocating human and financial resources. However, there are no available estimates of such information for many areas in China. In this study, we used the existing data to make a preliminary estimation of syphilis infections in Shenzhen city, in south-eastern China. Data on prevalence rates of syphilis infections among different populations were obtained from the local HIV/sexually transmitted disease second-generation surveillance programme, and the sizes of different populations were estimated based on the most recently available figures. It was estimated that 83,760 (range 77,490–90,020) people are currently infected with syphilis, giving a prevalence of 0.71–0.82% (0.76% on average) in Shenzhen. Around 18% of these syphilis infections occur among men who have sex with men and another 15.8% and 8.7% occur among female sex workers and their clients, respectively. These estimates suggest that a combination of unprotected paid sex and sex between men may be sustaining the epidemic of syphilis in the study area. The preliminary estimates will assist the government in planning and improving its comprehensive intervention programmes for the future control and prevention of syphilis.
Purulent vaginal and cervical discharge in the diagnosis of pelvic inflammatory disease
Authors: Risser J M H , Risser W L
Published: January 2009

In this structured review, we evaluated purulent vaginal and cervical discharge as diagnostic tests for pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Using a pretest probability of PID (diagnosed clinically) of 50%, we used the odds-likelihood formulation of Bayes' theorem to calculate post-test probabilities of PID (proven by laparoscopy or endometrial biopsy). If abnormal discharge was present, the post-test probabilities of PID ranged from 50% to 73%, with a mean value of 57%. If abnormal discharge was absent, the post-test probabilities ranged from 24% to 52%, with a mean value of 39%. Therefore, the presence or absence of excess white blood cells in vaginal or cervical discharge was not particularly helpful in confirming or excluding PID in patients in whom the diagnosis was suspected from the clinical examination.
Kikuchi-Fujimoto syndrome presenting to a sexual health clinic
Authors: Mital D , Desai V , Chin K
Published: January 2009

We report on a 37-year-old woman who presented with a six-week history of bilateral, tender lymph nodes in her groin. An initial biopsy was done with the histology ‘suggestive of lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV)’. She had not had sexual intercourse for over two years and had no symptoms or signs of note to report. Examination revealed large, smooth tender lymph nodes above the inguinal ligament bilaterally with no other areas of lymphadenopathy. Due to a possible diagnosis of LGV, three weeks of doxycycline was given. A further review of the histology slides revealed ‘subacute necrotizing lymphadenitis’ highly suggestive of Kikuchi-Fujimoto syndrome of unknown cause, which is usually self-limiting. Subsequent follow-up of the patient revealed a reduction in the lymph nodes size with little tenderness.
A Decision Analysis Tool for Evaluating Fundraising Tiers
Authors: McCardle Kevin F. , Rajaram Kumar , Tang Christopher S.
Published: January 2009

This paper presents a utility function model of donors who need to determine their donation to a charity organization that structures and publishes donations by tiers. By considering the prestige associated with each tier level, our analysis suggests that a tiered scheme generates an incentive for donors to raise their donation to the next tier when the originally intended donation is close to the minimum amount for the next tier level. In addition, we develop a decision analysis tool to illustrate how a charity can evaluate the effectiveness of different tier structures. Using publicly available federal tax return data and actual donations to a private high school, we present a method to estimate the model parameters. By taking other nonquantifiable factors into consideration, our tool can guide a charitable organization to determine an effective fundraising tier strategy.
The air's got to be far cleaner here: A discursive analysis of place‐identity threat
Authors: Hugh‐Jones Siobhan , Madill Anna
Published: January 2009

That talk is never disinterested complicates the relationship between the environment and the claims people make about it. Talk about place, and one's self in it, is particularly complex when the environment poses risk or is otherwise problematized. This study, a secondary analysis of interview data, seeks to extend discursive work on place‐identity by examining the ways in which 14 residents of a small English village talk about themselves and their locale. The locale accommodates an active quarry, and many residents had lodged complaints to the quarry about dust, noise and vibrations from blasting. Attention to the interactional context of the interviews illustrates the ways in which (simply) interviewing people about their locale can threaten self‐ and place‐identity. When asked about life in the village, interviewees oriented to two main dilemmas in protecting self‐ and place‐identity: (1) how to justify continued residence in a challenging environment and (2) how to complain about the locale whilst maintaining positive place‐identity. Discursive responses to these dilemmas drew upon typical identity processes, such as self‐ and place distinctiveness and the formulation of out‐groups, as well as upon constructions of localized power‐sharing and morally obligated tolerance of risk. We suggest that research on problematical places, and of environmental risk, needs to be sensitized to how it may constitute a threat to self‐ and place‐identity, and how this may mediate formulations self and place, as well as of environmental risk.
The development of a Peer Aggression Coping Self‐Efficacy Scale for Adolescents
Authors: Singh Puneet , Bussey Kay
Published: January 2009

This study presents findings regarding the reliability and validity of a newly developed measure designed to assess children's self‐efficacy for coping with peer aggression. The sample consisted of 2,161 participants (1,071 females and 1,090 males, who ranged in age from 10 to 15 years; 63% White, 17% Middle‐Eastern, 10% Asian, and 10% from other ethnic groups). Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses supported the four conceptualized coping self‐efficacy domains: self‐efficacy for proactive behaviour, self‐efficacy for avoiding aggressive behaviour, self‐efficacy for avoiding self‐blame, and self‐efficacy for victim‐role disengagement. Internal consistencies for the coping domains were between .87 and .90. Validity was examined by correlations between the coping self‐efficacy domains and psychological adjustment variables. Greater coping self‐efficacy was associated with less social anxiety, cognitive depression, and externalizing symptoms. The Peer Aggression Coping Self‐Efficacy Scale provides a useful measure for examining children's self‐efficacy for using a range of strategies to deal with peer aggression.
Alternative routes to perspective‐taking: Imagination and rule‐use may be better than simulation and theorising
Authors: Apperly Ian A.
Published: January 2009

This article is a commentary on ‘Two routes to perspective: Simulation and rule‐use as approaches to mentalizing’ (Mitchell, Currie, & Ziegler, 2009).
Is understanding regret dependent on developments in counterfactual thinking?
Authors: Beck Sarah R. , Crilly Maria
Published: January 2009

Children's understanding of counterfactual emotions such as regret and relief develops relatively late compared to their ability to imagine counterfactual worlds. We tested whether a late development in counterfactual thinking: understanding counterfactuals as possibilities, underpinned children's understanding of regret. Thirty 5‐ and 6‐year‐olds completed tasks assessing counterfactual thinking and understanding regret. Performance on the counterfactual task was better than that on the regret task. We suggest that thinking about counterfactuals as possibilities is a necessary but not sufficient cognitive development in children's understanding of regret. We discuss how other developments in counterfactual thinking may underpin children's emotional understanding.
Children's understanding and production of verbal irony in family conversations
Authors: Recchia Holly E. , Howe Nina , Ross Hildy S. , Alexander Stephanie
Published: January 2009

This study examined how children use and understand various forms of irony (sarcasm, hyperbole, understatement, and rhetorical questions) in the context of naturalistic positive and negative family conversations in the home. Instances of ironic language in conversations between mothers, fathers, and their two children (Mages=6.33 and 4.39 years) were recorded during six 90‐min observations for each of 39 families. Children's responses to others' ironic utterances were coded for their understanding of meaning and conversational function. Mothers were especially likely to ask rhetorical questions and to use ironic language in conflictual contexts. In contrast, fathers used hyperbole and understatement as frequently as rhetorical questions, and employed ironic language in both positive and conflictual contexts. Children also showed evidence of a nascent ability to use ironic language, especially hyperbole and rhetorical questions. Family members used rhetorical questions and understatement proportionately more often in a negative interaction context. Finally, older siblings understood irony better than younger siblings, and both children's responses revealed some understanding of ironic language, particularly sarcasm and rhetorical questions. Overall, the results suggest that family conversations in the home may be one important context for the development of children's use and understanding of ironic language.
T Lymphocyte Maturation Is Impaired in Healthy Young Individuals Carrying Trisomy 21 (Down Syndrome)
Authors: Guazzarotti Laura , Trabattoni Daria , Castelletti Eleonora , Boldrighini Benedetta , Piacentini Luca , Duca Piergiorgio , Beretta Silvia , Pacei Michela , Caprio Cristiana , Vigan;ago Alessandra , di Natale Berardo , Zuccotti Gian Vincenzo , Clerici Mario
Published: January 2009

Cytokine production, immune activation, T lymphocytes maturation, and serum IL-7 concentration were examined in 24 youngsters with Down syndrome and no acquired diseases (healthy Down syndrome [12 prepubertal, 13 pubertal]) and 42 age- and gender-matched controls (20 prepubertal, 22 pubertal). Results showed that a complex immune and impairment is present in healthy individuals with Down syndrome in whom interferon gamma, interleukin (IL) IL-10 production, as well as serum IL-7 concentrations and activation markers-bearing T lymphocytes were significantly augmented. Additionally, a complex skewing of post-thymic lymphocyte maturation pathways was observed in patients: significant reduction of CD4+ and CD8+ naive (RA+CCR7+) lymphocytes, significant increase of CD4+ and CD8+ central memory (RA-CCR7+), and terminally differentiated (TD) (RA+CCR7−) lymphocytes.
Stressful Social Interactions Experienced by Adults With Mild Intellectual Disability
Authors: Hartley Sigan L. , MacLean William E.
Published: January 2009

Adults with intellectual disability are vulnerable to stressful social interactions. We determined frequency and severity of various stressful social interactions, identified the social partners in these interactions, and examined the specific interpersonal skill difficulties of 114 adults with mild intellectual disability. Participants' characteristic risk factors for stressful social interactions were also identified. Minor and unintentional negative actions of others had high frequency but low severity of stress. Serious and intentional negative actions of others had a low frequency but high severity of stress. Stressful social interactions with other people who have intellectual disability occurred frequently and had a high severity. Difficulty controlling aggression predicted stressful social interactions. Findings are beneficial to developers of interventions to decrease stressful social interactions.
Expression of Major Histocompatibility Complex Class II Antigens in Porcine Leptospiral Nephritis
Authors: Radaelli E. , Del Piero F. , Aresu L. , Sciarrone F. , Vicari N. , Mattiello S. , Tagliabue S. , Fabbi M. , Scanziani E.
Published: January 2009

Class II major histocompatibility complex (MHCII) is required for the presentation of antigens to CD4 helper T cells. During nephritis, not only primary antigen presenting cells such as histiocytes and lymphocytes, but also cytokine-stimulated tubular epithelial cells express MHCII. Leptospirosis in fattening pigs is characterized by several degrees of nephritis, from absence of lesions to severe multifocal tubulo-interstitial inflammation. Renal tissue from 20 8-month-old pigs with spontaneous nephritis and 6 control pigs without renal lesions were investigated for leptospirosis by indirect immunohistochemistry (IHC) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). IHC for MHCII also was performed on renal samples. Serum samples were tested for different serovars of Leptospira interrogans. Control pigs were free of interstitial nephritis and negative for leptospirosis by all tests. In pigs with nephritis, serology was positive for serovar Pomona in 19/20 pigs. In 16 of these 19 pigs, leptospiral renal infection was confirmed by PCR and/or indirect IHC. Nephritic lesions were classified histologically into perivascular lymphocytic (4 pigs), lymphofollicular (6 pigs), lymphohistiocytic (8 pigs), and neutrophilic (2 pigs) pattern. MHCII expression by histiocytes and lymphocytes was observed in all lesions. Prominent MHCII expression in regenerating tubular epithelium was observed in lymphofollicular and lymphohistiocytic nephritis. No tubular colocalization between leptospiral and MHCII antigen was observed. Results suggest that during leptospiral nephritis, MHCII contributes to the intensity of the inflammatory response. Furthermore de novo MHCII expression in regenerating tubules may play a role in the defence mechanism against leptospiral tubular colonization.
Tropical invariants from the secondary fan
Authors: Katz Eric
Published: January 2009

In this paper, we consider weighted counts of tropical plane curves of particular combinatorial type through a certain number of generic points. We give a criterion, effectively balancing, derived from tropical intersection theory on the secondary fan, for a weighted count to give a number invariant of the position of the points. By computing a certain intersection multiplicity, we determine which weighted counts in our approach replicates Mikhalkin's computation of Gromov–Witten invariants although we do not know if such a count is effectively balanced. This begins to address a question raised by Dickenstein, Feichtner, and Sturmfels. We also give a geometric interpretation of the numbers we produce involving Chow quotients, and provide a counterexample showing that the tropical Severi variety is not always supported on the secondary fan.
Quotients of projective spaces and spheres
Authors: Immervoll Stefan
Published: January 2009

In this paper we prove results on topological properties of quotients of manifolds, in particular of projective spaces and spheres. Specifically, under suitable conditions we exhibit results on homology and homotopy groups of these quotients. As an application we generalize the characterization of topological translation planes obtained by Löwen, Steinke, and Van Maldeghem in [Adv. Geom.: S59–S74, 2003] to all possible (finite) dimensions. Our approach also yields a more unified proof for this characterization result. Most of the results in this paper are obtained by means of standard results from algebraic topology.
Gauss curvature flow on surfaces of revolution
Authors: Jeffres Thalia D.
Published: January 2009

We study two boundary value problems for a surface of revolution moving under Gauss curvature flow. The rotational symmetry allows us to reduce to an equation on the generating curve so that there is no restriction on the sign of the curvature of the initial surface.
Stringy E-functions of hypersurfaces and of Brieskorn singularities
Authors: Schepers Jan , Veys Willem
Published: January 2009

We show that for a hypersurface Batyrev's stringy E-function can be seen as a residue of the Hodge zeta function, a specialization of the motivic zeta function of Denef and Loeser. This is a nice application of inversion of adjunction. If an affine hypersurface is given by a polynomial that is non-degenerate with respect to its Newton polyhedron, then the motivic zeta function and thus the stringy E-function can be computed from this Newton polyhedron (by work of Artal, Cassou-Noguès, Luengo and Melle based on an algorithm of Denef and Hoornaert). We use this procedure to obtain an easy way to compute the contribution of a Brieskorn singularity to the stringy E-function. As a corollary, we prove that stringy Hodge numbers of varieties with a certain class of strictly canonical Brieskorn singularities are nonnegative. We conclude by computing an interesting 6-dimensional example. It shows that a result, implying nonnegativity of stringy Hodge numbers in lower dimensional cases, obtained in our previous paper, is not true in higher dimension.
The classification of surfaces with pg
= q = 1 isogenous to a product of curves
Authors: Carnovale Giovanna , Polizzi Francesco
Published: January 2009

A smooth, projective surface S is said to be isogenous to a product if there exist two smooth curves C, F and a finite group G acting freely on C × F so that S = (C × F)/G. In this paper we classify all surfaces with pg
= q = 1 which are isogenous to a product.
Some quasihomogeneous Legendrian varieties
Authors: Buczyński Jarosław
Published: January 2009

We construct a family of examples of Legendrian subvarieties in some projective spaces. Although most of them are singular, a new example of smooth Legendrian varieties in dimension 8 is in this family. This 8-fold has interesting properties: it is a compactification of the special linear group, a Fano manifold of index 5 and Picard number 1.
Families of surfaces and conjugate curve congruences
Authors: Nabarro Ana Claudia , Tari Farid
Published: January 2009

Given a smooth and oriented surface M in the Euclidean space ℝ3, the conjugate curve congruence Cα
is a family of pairs of foliations on M that links the lines of curvature and the asymptotic curves of M. This family is first introduced in [Fletcher, Geometrical problems in computer vision, Liverpool University, 1996] and is studied in [Bruce, Fletcher, Tari, Contemp. Math. 354: 1–18, 2004, Bruce, Tari, Trans. Amer. Math. Soc. 357: 267–285, 2005]. When the surface M = M
0 is deformed in a 1-parameter family of surfaces Mt
, we obtain a 2-parameter family of conjugate curve congruence Cα,t
. We study in this paper the generic local singularities in C

α
0,0 and the way they bifurcate in the family Cα,t
, with (α, t) close to (α
0, 0).
Defective insulin signaling in placenta from pregnancies complicated by gestational diabetes mellitus
Authors: Colomiere Michelle , Permezel Michael , Riley Clyde , Desoye Gernot , Lappas Martha
Published: January 2009

Objective

Studies in adipose tissue and skeletal muscle suggest that impaired insulin action is due to defects in the insulin signaling pathway and may play a role in the pathophysiology of insulin resistance associated with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and obesity. The present study tested the hypothesis that endogenous expression levels in the human term placenta of insulin signaling components are altered in placental tissue from GDM women in comparison with normal controls and maternal obesity.

Design and methods

Placental tissue was collected from normal, diet-controlled GDM, and insulin-controlled GDM in both non-obese and obese women (n=6–7 per group). Western blotting and quantitative RT-PCR was performed to determine the level of expression in the insulin signaling pathway.

Results

There was a significant increase in insulin receptor (IR) substrate (IRS)-1 protein expression with a concurrent decrease in IRS-2 protein expression in non-obese women with insulin-controlled GDM compared with diet-controlled GDM and normal controls. Furthermore, a decrease in both protein and mRNA expression of phosphatidyl-inositol-3-kinase (PI3-K) p85α and glucose transporter (GLUT)-4 was observed in non-obese and obese women with insulin controlled GDM compared with normal controls. When comparing non-obese to obese patients, significant decreases in mRNA expression of IR-β, PI3K p85α and GLUT-4 was found in obese patients.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that post receptor defects are present in the insulin signaling pathway in placenta of women with pregnancies complicated by diabetes and obesity. In addition, expression studies demonstrate post receptor alterations in insulin signaling possibly under selective maternal regulation and not fetal regulation.
The intraarticular and local application of glycocorticosteroid preparations
Authors: Siró Béla
Published: January 2009

A szerző 1978-tól napjainkigrövid, valamint kombináltrövid + elhúzódó hatásúbetamethasoninjekciókkal rendszeresen intraarticularis és lokális kezeléseket végzett. A jelen közleményben 214 beteg esetében 965rövidés 416 beteg esetében 2932 kombináltrövid + elhúzódó hatásúbetamethasonkészítmény intraarticularis, illetve lokális alkalmazása során 2003-ig szerzett tapasztalatait ismerteti.Célkitűzés:Saját tapasztalatok és az irodalmi adatok alapján ismertetni az intraarticularis és lokális szteroidkezelés optimális alkalmazásának szempontjait.Módszer:A betegeket reumatológiai, laboratóriumi és képalkotó vizsgálatok alapján választották ki. A készítmény alkalmazása az ARA ajánlása szerint történt. Az eredményeket a szerző az állapot, a tünetek alakulásának, a beteg és az orvos véleményének figyelembevételével értékelte és összevont táblázatokban ismerteti.Eredmények:Az intraarticularis kombinált rövid + hosszú hatású betamethason tünetmentességet vagy jelentős javulást 48,8%-ban, javulást 35,7%-ban eredményezett, lokálisan alkalmazva tünetmentesség, illetve jelentős javulás 50,5%-ban, javulás 29%-ban következett be. A rövid hatású betamethason lokálisan 40,6%-ban tünetmentességet, illetve jelentős javulást, 40,3%-ban javulást eredményezett. A kombinált gyors + elhúzódó hatású készítmény 62 esetben, a rövid hatású 10 esetben enyhe mellékhatást okozott. Az eredmények megfeleltek az irodalomban közölteknek, de a mellékhatásokat illetően lényegesen kedvezőbbek voltak.Következtetések:A gyors + elhúzódó hatású kombináció intraarticularis alkalmazása kizárólag a gyulladás látható és laboratóriumi jeleinek megléte vagy alapos gyanúja, illetve egy vagy kevés ízületre való korlátozódása esetében javasolt. Egy kezelési epizódban 3 injekciónál csak kivételes esetben van értelme többet alkalmazni. Extraarticularis alkalmazás esetében elsősorban a rövid hatású készítmény alkalmazása indokolt, kivéve ha a kezelendő betegség hosszan áll fenn, vagy előzőleg a rövid hatású szteroid hatástalannak bizonyult. A rövid hatású készítmény kevésbé és rövidebb ideig teszi ki a beteget a szervezet egészét érintő általános szteroidhatásnak. E szempontok figyelembevétele esetében a kezelés eredményesebb és biztonságosabb. A közlemény célja a részben helytelen hazai gyakorlat befolyásolása.
Maximal initiative dose of simvastatin causing acute renal failure through rhabdomyolysis: risk factors, pathomechanism and therapy related to a case
Authors: Deme Dániel , Al-Hadad Aref , Varga Tünde , Szántó Erika , Sándor Katalin , Rakonczai Ervin
Published: January 2009

A simvastatin (SIM) ritka és súlyos mellékhatása a harántcsíkolt izomzat szétesése, a rhabdomyolysis (RML). A folyamat patogenezisében több rizikófaktor szerepét leírták, mint például a >65 év, cukorbetegség, vesebetegség, nagy adagban adott statinkezelés, citokróm P450 3A4 útján metabolizálódó vegyületek vagy az egyéni érzékenység.Esetismertetés:A fentiek közül négy rizikófaktorral rendelkező 66 éves férfi betegünk 2-es típusú diabetes, ISZB és hypertonia miatt állt kezelés alatt. CYP3A4-szubsztrát amlodipint és alprazolamot kapott. Ismeretlen kiindulási koleszterinszint mellett maximális dózisú SIM-kezelés indult. Másnapra vizeletelszíneződés, paraparesis, a negyedik napra tetraparesis és oliguria jellemezte a heveny veseelégtelenséggel járó RML kialakulását. A százhat nap kórházi ápolás alatt negyvenkilenc alkalommal részesült dialíziskezelésben. Elbocsátás utáni tizenhat hónap utánkövetés alatt a beteg járása oly mértékben javult, hogy egy járóbot segítségével közlekedik.Következtetések:A fent említett rizikófaktorok miatt, ebben az esetben, alacsony kezdő dózisú SIM alkalmazása lett volna kívánatos. Izomfájdalom vagy gyengeség kialakulásakor a kezelés leállítása indokolt. RML-re hajlamosító tényezők esetén a statinkezelés és adagjának emelése szoros ellenőrzés mellett történhet.
A New Species of Trissolcus (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) Parasitizing Eggs of Halyomorpha Halys (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) in China with Comments on its Biology
Authors: Yang Zhong-Qi , Yao Yan-Xia , Qiu Lan-Fen , Li Zhong-Xin
Published: January 2009

A new species of Trissolcus Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae), Trissolcus halyomorphae Yang, sp. nov., is described from China. It is a solitary parasitoid in eggs of Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), an economic pest that causes severe damage to pear, apple and other fruit and that also feeds on the leaves and stems of ornamental and forest trees. The new species is the principal natural enemy of the stink bug, with parasitism rates up to 70% and an average annual rate of 50%. Because of its high parasitism rates and other biological features, it has good potential as a biocontrol agent of the pest. Type specimens are deposited in Insect Museum, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing, China.
Differentiation and Range Expansion of North American Squash Bee, Peponapis Pruinosa (Apidae: Apiformes) Populations Assessed by Geometric Wing Morphometry
Authors: Bischoff Inge , Schröder Stefan , Misof Bernhard
Published: January 2009

We studied the differentiation of North American squash bee (Apidae: Apiformes) populations by using geometric wing morphometry to evaluate hypotheses for the origin and possible expansion route of bees after the dispersal of their Cucurbita floral hosts. Two hypotheses consider the possible impact of early human cultures on the distribution of this mutualistic species complex: 1) the geographic range of the bees naturally expanded after the hypsithermal range expansion of the wild buffalo gourd, Cucurbita foetidissima Kunth; or 2) the bees shifted to mesophytic gourds of the C. pepo group at the Mexican Gulf coast and tracked the cultivation and/or trade by early human hunter-gatherer societies in the context of fishing technology along stream valleys to northeastern America. We morphometrically measured 228 specimens of Peponapis pruinosa (Say) collected at 15 sites between Mississippi and Ontario, Canada. Twenty-three landmarks were taken from the right forewings. The resulting measurements were analyzed by multivariate statistics. Our results support the first hypothesis of a western origin of North American squash bee populations and a mainly natural range expansion during the hypsithermal range expansion of the buffalo gourd.
Effect of Relative Humidity on Longevity, Ovarian Maturation, and Egg Production in the Olive Fruit Fly (Diptera: Tephritidae)
Authors: Broufas G D , Pappas M L , Koveos D S
Published: January 2009

The effect of five constant relative humidity (RH) regimes (12, 33, 55, 75, and 94%) on ovarian maturation, adult longevity, and egg production of Bactrocera (Dacus) oleae (Gmelin) (Diptera: Tephritidae) was studied at 25 ± 1°C and a photoperiod of 16:8 (L:D) h under laboratory conditions. The experimental insects developed in the preimaginal stages at 16:8 (L:D) h and 25 ± 1°C, and the adults were maintained in plastic cages in sealed plastic containers with saturated water salt solutions in their base to control RH. In the experiments concerning longevity and egg production, the adults were maintained individually, whereas in those concerning ovarian maturation they were in groups of 10 females and 10 males. Ovarian maturation was much reduced and the number of mature oocytes in the ovaries was very low in 7-d-old females maintained at 12 and 33% RH. By contrast, a high percentage of females of that age maintained at 55, 75, and 94% RHs had mature oocytes in their ovaries. Longevity of adult females, egg production and egg hatch were low at 12% RH. They were significantly higher at 33% RH, and even more so at 55 and 75% RHs but declined at 94% RH. These results could be useful for the mass rearing of B. oleae and for better understanding its population dynamics under field conditions.
Establishment and Vertical Passage of Enterobacter (Pantoea) Agglomerans and Klebsiella pneumoniae through All Life Stages of the Mediterranean Fruit Fly (Diptera: Tephritidae)
Authors: Lauzon C R , Mccombs S D , Potter S E , Peabody N C
Published: January 2009

We investigated the fate of ingested Enterobacter (Pantoea) agglomerans and Klebsiella pneumoniae within adult Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae), in a mass rearing facility. This examination revealed the establishment of both bacterial strains as biofilms within the adult intestines, on the apical end of developing and developed eggs, and throughout all subsequent life stages. The bacteria were detected in adults through two generations. Irradiation treatment for the sterile insect technique did not disrupt the vertical transmission of E. (P.) agglomerans or K. pneumoniae. This is the first demonstration of maternal spread of Enterobacter/ Pantoea spp. and Klebsiella spp. through populations of C. capitata. A mixed pattern of vertical and horizontal transmission of symbionts associated with tephritids may be one explanation for the difficulty in defining the symbiotic associations of tephritids.