bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Costing adaptation to climate change impacts in forest ecosystems
Authors: Ojea Elena , Ghosh Ranjan K. , Agrawal Bharat B. , Joshi P.K.
Published: July 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a framework for estimating the costs of adaptation to climate change impacts on ecosystems.

Design/methodology/approach

While existing studies on costing adaptation base themselves on either the financial flows on conservation or the costs of specific adaptation measures at the global level, the methodology presented here takes into account the impacts on ecosystems, the identification of vulnerable areas, and adaptation options at a more regional level.

Findings

The framework is then applied to forest ecosystems in India. The authors find that the total adaptation costs for forest ecosystems in India until 2085 are in the range of $1.34‐2.32 billion.

Originality/value

The key contribution of this paper is the proposal that for any robust estimation of adaptation costs, people should take into account the regional level impacts and the multiple adaptation options linked to those impacts.
Efficacy of the 1992 Small Business Incentive Act
Authors: Brau James C. , Troy Carpenter J.
Published: July 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to test the fundamental purpose of the 1992 Small Business Incentive Act (SBIA) to reduce the regulatory burden for small firms to raise public equity capital.

Design/methodology/approach

Our research compares initial public offerings (IPOs) that filed with the newer SB‐2 program to benchmark firms that filed using the traditional S‐1 filing. The authors use three proxies to measure success, hypothesizing that, if the regulatory burden has indeed been reduced for small firms, all three variables should be smaller for SB‐2 IPOs. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted.

Findings

With regards to easing regulatory costs, it is found that the program has not been effective. On average, SB‐2 IPOs experience larger‐scaled offering expenses, and pay higher underwriter gross spreads compared to S‐1 IPOs of similar size. SB‐2 IPOs, however, take fewer days to complete the registration process, when controlling for other relevant factors. In the burden of time, the SBIA has been effective.

Practical implications

The paper is of value to managers of firms desiring to conduct an IPO. These managers, if they meet the size requirements dictated by the SEC, can elect to use an SB‐2 or an S‐1 document. The paper shows that if cost is the primary concern, the S‐1 program should be preferred. If time is the primary consideration, then the SB‐2 program is preferred.

Originality/value

To the authors' knowledge, they are the first to test the efficacy of the SBIA program.
Threshold effects and inflation persistence in South Africa
Authors: Phiri Andrew
Published: July 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate threshold effects in the persistence of South African aggregate inflation data.

Design/methodology/approach

The conventional approach for assessing the degree of persistence within an inflation process is via its integration properties. This study makes use of univariate threshold autoregressive (TAR) models and associated unit root testing procedures to investigate the integration properties of the inflation data. Out‐of‐sample forecasts are further performed for the TAR models and their linear counterparts.

Findings

The empirical results confirm threshold effects in the persistence of all employed aggregated measures of inflation, whereas such asymmetric effects are ambiguous for disaggregated inflation measures. None of the observed series is found to be stationary in their levels. The out‐of‐sample forecasts for all TAR models outperform their linear counterparts.

Practical implications

Given the scope of the study, the empirical analysis provides insight with concern to the performance of inflation subsequent to the adoption of the inflation target regime in South Africa. Of particular interest are the low persistence levels observed at inflation rates of below 4.7 and 4.4 percent for core and CPI inflation, respectively, as both these aggregated measures of inflation play an essential role in guiding monetary policy conduct within the economy. The overall findings imply that on an aggregate level, the South African Reserve Bank's (SARB's) current inflation target of 3‐6 percent encompasses a non‐stationary inflation range and thus proves to be restrictive on monetary policy conduct.

Originality/value

The paper fills in an important gap in the academic literature by evaluating asymmetric effects in the integration properties of inflation, at both aggregated and disaggregated levels, for the exclusive case of South Africa.
Chimeric anti‐podoplanin antibody suppresses tumor metastasis through neutralization and antibody‐dependent cellular cytotoxicity
Authors: Kaneko Mika Kato , Kunita Akiko , Abe Shinji , Tsujimoto Yuta , Fukayama Masashi , Goto Kaoru , Sawa Yoshihiko , Nishioka Yasuhiko , Kato Yukinari
Published: July 2012

Podoplanin is a platelet aggregation‐inducing factor associated with tumor metastasis, malignant progression, and cancer stem cells. We produced a rat–human chimeric anti‐podoplanin mAb, NZ‐8, from rat anti‐podoplanin mAb (NZ‐1). Although both NZ‐1 and NZ‐8 possess high binding affinities and high neutralizing activities of platelet aggregation, the antibody‐dependent cellular cytotoxicity and complement‐dependent cytotoxicity of NZ‐8 were much higher than NZ‐1. Furthermore, both NZ‐1 and NZ‐8 inhibited the growth of podoplanin‐expressing tumors in vivo. Both NZ‐1 and NZ‐8 also suppressed hematogenous metastasis of podoplanin‐expressing tumors. These results suggest that anti‐podoplanin mAbs suppressed hematogenous metastasis by both neutralization and antibody‐dependent cellular cytotoxicity/complement‐dependent cytotoxicity activities. Targeting therapy to podoplanin‐expressing tumors should be useful as a novel immunotherapy.
Phase I/II study of decitabine in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome: A multi‐center study in Japan
Authors: Oki Yasuhiro , Kondo Yutaka , Yamamoto Kazuhito , Ogura Michinori , Kasai Masanobu , Kobayashi Yukio , Watanabe Takashi , Uike Naokuni , Ohyashiki Kazuma , Okamoto Shin‐ichiro , Ohnishi Kazunori , Tomita Akihiro , Miyazaki Yasushi , Tohyama Kaoru , Mukai Harumi Y. , Hotta Tomomitsu , Tomonaga Masao
Published: July 2012

The management of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) remains challenging. We performed a phase I/II study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of decitabine in patients with MDS in Japan. Patients with MDS with red cell transfusion dependence or 5–30% blasts in marrow and with an International Prognostic Scoring System score of intermediate‐1 or higher were eligible. Patients received intravenous decitabine at 15 or 20 mg/m2 daily for 5 days every 4 weeks. A total of 37 patients were enrolled. Three patients received 15 mg/m2 and experienced no dose limiting toxicity during the first cycle. Thirty‐four patients received 20 mg/m2. Grade 3 or greater non‐hematologic toxicities included cerebral infarction (n = 1), subdural hematoma (n = 1), elevated blood glucose (n = 1), and pulmonary hypertension (n = 1). At 20 mg/m2, complete response, partial response, and hematologic improvement were observed in 7 (20.6%), 2 (5.9%), and 7 (20.6%) patients, respectively. Complete cytogenetic response was observed in 30% of evaluable 20 patients. The median number of cycles to clinical response was 4 (range 4–8), and duration of remission was 474+ days (range 294–598+). The 2‐year rate of acute myeloid leukemia‐free survival was 52%. Correlative studies revealed hypomethylation in multiple genes in peripheral blood cells after treatment. Hypomethylation was generally more profound in CD15 + peripheral blood cells, which reflects myeloid cells, than in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. In summary, decitabine was safe and demonstrated efficacy in Japanese patients with high‐risk MDS. This trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT00796003).
Effect of pioglitazone on testosterone in eugonadal men with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a randomized double‐blind placebo‐controlled study
Authors: Sridhar Subbiah , Walia Rama , Sachdeva Naresh , Bhansali Anil
Published: July 2012

Objectives

Pioglitazone is an insulin sensitizer used for the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). It has been shown to reduce testosterone level in patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome. However, its effect on testosterone in men has not been studied.

Research design and methods

A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial with 6 months follow‐up. Fifty (25 in each group) eugonadal men (well virilized and total testosterone ≥12 nm) with T2DM, aged 30–55 year and HbA1c of ≤7·5% were randomly assigned to receive pioglitazone 30 mg per day or placebo along with existing glimepiride and metformin therapy.

Results

As compared to placebo, 6 months of pioglitazone therapy in patients with T2DM resulted in significant reduction in mean total testosterone level (16·1 to 14·9 vs 17·1 to 17·0 nm; P = 0·031), calculated free testosterone (P = 0·001) and bioavailable testosterone (P = 0·000) despite significant increase in sex hormone‐binding globulin (P = 0·000). Plasma androstenedione (∆4) level increased (1·5 to 1·9 vs 1·7 to 1·7 ng/ml; P = 0·051) following pioglitazone therapy. The decrease in testosterone was independent of change in body weight, body fat and HbA1c.

Conclusion

Pioglitazone therapy significantly decreases total, free and bioavailable testosterone in eugonadal men with T2DM. The effects of these alterations need to be determined by further long‐term studies.
Oxidative stress is associated with C‐reactive protein in nondiabetic postmenopausal women, independent of obesity and insulin resistance
Authors: Park Seonmin , Kim Minjoo , Paik Jean Kyung , Jang Yoon‐Jung , Lee Sang‐Hyun , Lee Jong Ho
Published: July 2012

Objective

Oxidative stress is associated with obesity, metabolic syndrome and inflammation, suggesting it could be an early event in the pathology of chronic diseases. We tested the hypothesis that elevated levels of oxidative stress markers are associated with increased C‐reactive protein (CRP) and that this is independent of obesity and insulin resistance.

Research design and methods

This study was cross‐sectional designed and nondiabetic postmenopausal women (n = 1821) with CRP levels ≤10 mg/l was enrolled. The CRP levels were categorized into quartiles from the lowest to the highest concentrations (Q1–Q4). The degree of insulin resistance was determined using the homoeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR). We measured oxidative stress using urinary 8‐epi‐prostaglandin F2α (8‐epi‐PGF2α) and plasma oxidized low‐density lipoprotein (ox‐LDL).

Results

After adjustments for age and lifestyle habits, including smoking and drinking, we found higher body mass index (BMI) and HOMA‐IR scores in Q2 and Q3 vs Q1. The Q4 BMI and HOMA‐IR scores were higher than all other quartiles. The plasma ox‐LDL was higher in Q4 than in Q1. Urinary 8‐epi‐PGF2α was higher in Q3 and Q4 than in Q1 or Q2. Urinary 8‐epi‐PGF2α positively correlated with CRP (r = 0·235, P < 0·001), whereas no correlation was found between ox‐LDL and CRP. Multiple linear regression analyses of BMI and HOMA‐IR showed that the association between urinary 8‐epi‐PGF2α and CRP levels remained significant (P < 0·001).

Conclusions

Oxidative stress measured by increased concentration of urine 8‐epi‐PGF2α is strongly associated with CRP levels. This finding was independent of obesity and insulin resistance in nondiabetic postmenopausal women.
Identification of an OPR protein involved in the translation initiation of the PsaB subunit of photosystem I
Authors: Rahire Michèle , Laroche Fabrice , Cerutti Lorenzo , Rochaix Jean‐David
Published: July 2012

Genetic analysis of mutants deficient in the biosynthesis of the photosystem I complex has revealed several nucleus‐encoded factors that act at different post‐transcriptional steps of chloroplast gene expression. Here we have identified and characterized the gene affected in the tab 1‐F15 mutant, which is specifically deficient in the translation of the photosystem I reaction center protein PsaB as the result of a single nucleotide deletion. This gene encodes Tab 1, a 1287 amino acid protein that contains 10 tandem 38–40 amino acid degenerate repeats of the PPPEW/OPR (octatricopeptide repeat) family, first described for the chloroplast translation factor Tbc2. These repeats are involved in the binding of Tab 1 to the 5′‐untranslated region of the psaB mRNA based on gel mobility shift assays. Tab 1 is part of a large family of proteins in Chlamydomonas that are also found in several bacteria and protozoans, but are rare in land plants.
Frontal lobe bioenergetic metabolism in depressed adolescents with bipolar disorder: a phosphorus‐31 magnetic resonance spectroscopy study
Authors: Shi Xian‐Feng , Kondo Douglas G , Sung Young‐Hoon , Hellem Tracy L , Fiedler Kristen K , Jeong Eun‐Kee , Huber Rebekah S , Renshaw Perry F
Published: July 2012

Shi X‐F, Kondo DG, Sung Y‐H, Hellem TL, Fiedler KK, Jeong E‐K, Huber RS, Renshaw PF. Frontal lobe bioenergetic metabolism in depressed adolescents with bipolar disorder: a phosphorus‐31 magnetic resonance spectroscopy study. Bipolar Disord 2012: 14: 607–617. © 2012 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Objectives:  To compare the concentrations of high‐energy phosphorus metabolites associated with mitochondrial function in the frontal lobe of depressed adolescents with bipolar disorder (BD) and healthy controls (HC).

Methods:  We used in vivo phosphorus‐31 magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31P‐MRS) at 3 Tesla to measure phosphocreatine (PCr), beta‐nucleoside triphosphate (β‐NTP), inorganic phosphate (Pi), and other neurometabolites in the frontal lobe of eight unmedicated and six medicated adolescents with bipolar depression and 24 adolescent HCs.

Results:  Analysis of covariance, including age as a covariate, revealed differences in PCr (p = 0.037), Pi (p = 0.017), and PCr/Pi (p = 0.002) between participant groups. Percentage neurochemical differences were calculated with respect to mean metabolite concentrations in the HC group. Post‐hoc Tukey–Kramer analysis showed that unmedicated BD participants had decreased Pi compared with both HC (17%; p = 0.038) and medicated BD (24%; p = 0.022). The unmedicated BD group had increased PCr compared with medicated BD (11%; p = 0.032). The PCr/Pi ratio was increased in unmedicated BD compared with HC (24%; p = 0.013) and with medicated BD (39%; p = 0.002). No differences in β‐NTP or pH were observed.

Conclusions:  Our results support the view that frontal lobe mitochondrial function is altered in adolescent BD and may have implications for the use of Pi as a biomarker. These findings join volumetric studies of the amygdala, and proton MRS studies of n‐acetyl aspartate in pointing to potential differences in neurobiology between pediatric and adult BD.
Course of illness following prospectively observed mania or hypomania in individuals presenting with unipolar depression
Authors: Fiedorowicz Jess G , Endicott Jean , Solomon David A , Keller Martin B , Coryell William H
Published: July 2012

Fiedorowicz JG, Endicott J, Solomon DA, Keller MB, Coryell WH. Course of illness following prospectively observed mania or hypomania in individuals presenting with unipolar depression. Bipolar Disord 2012: 14: 664–671. © 2012 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Objectives:  In a well‐defined sample, we sought to determine which clinical variables, some of potential nosological relevance, influence subsequent course following prospectively observed initial episodes of hypomania or mania (H/M).

Methods:  We identified 108 individuals in the National Institute of Mental Health Collaborative Depression Study diagnosed with unipolar major depression at intake who subsequently developed H/M. We assessed time to repeat H/M based on whether one had been started on an antidepressant or electroconvulsive therapy within eight weeks of developing H/M, had longer episodes, or had a family history of bipolar disorder.

Results:  Modeling age of onset, treatment‐associated H/M, family history of bipolar disorder, duration of index H/M episode, and psychosis in Cox regression analysis, family history of bipolar disorder (n = 21) was strongly associated with repeat episodes of H/M [hazard ratio (HR) = 2.01, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.06–3.83, p = 0.03]. Those with treatment‐associated episodes (n = 12) were less likely to experience subsequent episodes of H/M, although this was not significant in the multivariate model (HR = 0.25, 95% CI: 0.06–1.05, p = 0.06). These individuals also had a later age of onset for affective illness and were more likely to be depressed. Duration of illness with a temporal resolution of one week, psychosis, and age of onset were not associated with time to repeat H/M episode.

Conclusions:  A family history of bipolar disorder influences the course of illness, even after an initial H/M episode. In this select sample, treatment‐associated H/M did not appear to convey the same risk for a course of illness characterized by recurrent H/M episodes.
First Report of Pseudomonas sp. Causing Marginal Scorch of Chinese Cabbage in China
Authors: Qiu Zhengming , Jiao Zhongjiu , Wu Jinping , Wan Zhongyi , Hu Hongtao , Guo Fengling
Published: July 2012

A severe outbreak of marginal scorch was observed in Chinese cabbage for the first time in highland China. From pathogenicity, morphology and ribosomal DNA spacer sequences, the pathogen was identified as a Pseudomonas sp. This is the first report of Pseudomonas causing marginal scorch of Chinese cabbage.
Proliferation signal inhibitors in the treatment of lupus nephritis: Preliminary experience
Authors: YAP DESMOND YH , MA MAGGIE KM , TANG COLIN SO , CHAN TAK MAO
Published: July 2012

Aim:  Proliferation signal inhibitors (PSI) have demonstrated efficacy in prevention and treatment in an animal model of lupus nephritis (LN) but there are no data regarding the use of PSI in human LN. We report here our experience of using PSI treatment in seven patients with severe proliferative lupus nephritis.

Methods:  This is a retrospective study on patients with proliferative lupus nephritis who had received PSI treatment.

Results:  Seven patients were included. Two patients had concomitant membranous lupus nephropathy. The indications for PSI included mycophenolate mofetil intolerance (n = 4), history of malignancy (n = 2) and leucopoenia (n = 1). Five patients were given PSI when disease was active. Two had treatment discontinued because of acute cholecystitis and leucopoenia, respectively. In the other three patients combined steroid and PSI treatment as induction therapy led to improvements in serology, renal function and proteinuria. In two patients treated with PSI and low‐dose steroid as maintenance immunosuppression, both maintained stable lupus serology, renal function and proteinuria over 18 months. Side‐effects included dyslipidemia and oral ulcers.

Conclusion:  Proliferation signal inhibitors warrants further investigation as an alternative immunosuppressive treatment in lupus nephritis.
Genomic determinants of sporulation in Bacilli and Clostridia: towards the minimal set of sporulation‐specific genes
Authors: Galperin Michael Y. , Mekhedov Sergei L. , Puigbo Pere , Smirnov Sergey , Wolf Yuri I. , Rigden Daniel J.
Published: July 2012

Three classes of low‐G+C Gram‐positive bacteria (Firmicutes), Bacilli, Clostridia and Negativicutes, include numerous members that are capable of producing heat‐resistant endospores. Spore‐forming firmicutes include many environmentally important organisms, such as insect pathogens and cellulose‐degrading industrial strains, as well as human pathogens responsible for such diseases as anthrax, botulism, gas gangrene and tetanus. In the best‐studied model organism Bacillus subtilis, sporulation involves over 500 genes, many of which are conserved among other bacilli and clostridia. This work aimed to define the genomic requirements for sporulation through an analysis of the presence of sporulation genes in various firmicutes, including those with smaller genomes than B. subtilis. Cultivable spore‐formers were found to have genomes larger than 2300 kb and encompass over 2150 protein‐coding genes of which 60 are orthologues of genes that are apparently essential for sporulation in B. subtilis. Clostridial spore‐formers lack, among others, spoIIB, sda, spoVID and safA genes and have non‐orthologous displacements of spoIIQ and spoIVFA, suggesting substantial differences between bacilli and clostridia in the engulfment and spore coat formation steps. Many B. subtilis sporulation genes, particularly those encoding small acid‐soluble spore proteins and spore coat proteins, were found only in the family Bacillaceae, or even in a subset of Bacillus spp. Phylogenetic profiles of sporulation genes, compiled in this work, confirm the presence of a common sporulation gene core, but also illuminate the diversity of the sporulation processes within various lineages. These profiles should help further experimental studies of uncharacterized widespread sporulation genes, which would ultimately allow delineation of the minimal set(s) of sporulation‐specific genes in Bacilli and Clostridia.
Epidemiology of diabetic retinopathy and maculopathy in Africa: a systematic review
Authors: Burgess P. I. , MacCormick I. J. C. , Harding S. P. , Bastawrous A. , Beare N. A. V. , Garner P.
Published: July 2012

Diabet. Med. 30, 399–412 (2013)

Aim  To summarize findings from studies reporting the prevalence and incidence of diabetic retinopathy and diabetic maculopathy in African countries in light of the rising prevalence of diabetes mellitus.

Methods  Using a predefined search strategy, we systematically searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Science Citation index and Conference Proceedings Citation index, African Index Medicus and the grey literature database ‘OpenSIGLE’ for studies published between January 1990 and February 2011. Included studies reported prevalence or incidence of diabetic retinopathy or diabetic maculopathy of subjects with diabetes resident in African countries.

Results  Sixty‐two studies from 21 countries were included: three population‐based surveys; two cohort studies; five case–control studies; 32 diabetes clinic‐based, nine eye clinic‐based and 11 other hospital‐based surveys. Included studies varied considerably in terms of patient selection, method of assessing the eye and retinopathy classification. In population‐based studies, the reported prevalence range in patients with diabetes for diabetic retinopathy was 30.2 to 31.6%, proliferative diabetic retinopathy 0.9 to 1.3%, and any maculopathy 1.2 to 4.5%. In diabetes clinic‐based surveys, the reported prevalence range for diabetic retinopathy was 7.0 to 62.4%, proliferative diabetic retinopathy 0 to 6.9%, and any maculopathy 1.2 to 31.1%. No obvious association between prevalence and income level of the country was detected.

Conclusions  Large, community‐based cross‐sectional and cohort studies are needed to investigate rates and determinants of prevalence of diabetic retinopathy, incidence and progression in Africa. Consensus is needed on the most appropriate methods of identification and classification of retinopathy for research and clinical practice. Estimates of prevalence of diabetic retinopathy, proliferative diabetic retinopathy and maculopathy are comparable with recent European and American studies.
Physical activity level and body composition among adults with Type 1 diabetes
Authors: Brazeau A. S. , Leroux C. , Mircescu H. , Rabasa‐Lhoret R.
Published: July 2012

Aims  Physical activity is part of a healthy lifestyle and contributes to prevent weight gain and cardiometabolic disorders. Adults with Type 1 diabetes are at risk of weight gain attributable to various factors, including a high prevalence of sedentary lifestyle related to fear of exercise‐induced hypoglycaemia. This project aims to observe the association between physical activity level and body composition in adults with Type 1 diabetes.

Methods  Cross‐sectional study; 75 adults with and 75 adults without diabetes (52% men; 41.8 ± 11.8 years old) wore a motion sensor for 1 week and performed a cardiorespiratory fitness test on an ergocycle (VO2 peak). Body composition was assessed by dual energy X‐ray absorptiometry and circumferences measures.

Results  Mean body composition was not different between the two groups. VO2 peak was lower among the group with diabetes than the control subjects (29.3 ± 9.2 vs. 33.5 ± 9.0 ml kg−1 min−1; P = 0.005), but their physical activity level (ratio total/resting energy expenditure) was similar (1.68 ± 0.37 vs. 1.65 ± 0.26; P = 0.572). In both groups, having an active lifestyle (physical activity level ≥ 1.7) compared with a more sedentary lifestyle (physical activity level < 1.7) was associated with lower BMI and percentage of total and truncal fat mass (P ≤ 0.030 to P ≤ 0.001). Among adults with diabetes, physical activity level was not associated with diabetes treatment (insulin doses) and control (HbA1c and hypoglycaemia) or cardiovascular risk factors (blood pressure and lipid profile).

Conclusion  As in the population without diabetes, an active lifestyle is associated with a better body composition profile in adults with Type 1 diabetes.
What controls tropical forest architecture? Testing environmental, structural and floristic drivers
Authors: Banin L. , Feldpausch T. R. , Phillips O. L. , Baker T. R. , Lloyd J. , Affum‐Baffoe K. , Arets E. J. M. M. , Berry N. J. , Bradford M. , Brienen R. J. W. , Davies S. , Drescher M. , Higuchi N. , Hilbert D. W. , Hladik A. , Iida Y. , Salim K. Abu , Kassim A. R. , King D. A. , Lopez‐Gonzalez G. , Metcalfe D. , Nilus R. , Peh K. S.‐H. , Reitsma J. M. , Sonké B. , Taedoumg H. , Tan S. , White L. , Wöll H. , Lewis S. L.
Published: July 2012

Aim

To test the extent to which the vertical structure of tropical forests is determined by environment, forest structure or biogeographical history.

Location

Pan‐tropical.

Methods

Using height and diameter data from 20,497 trees in 112 non‐contiguous plots, asymptotic maximum height (H
AM) and height–diameter relationships were computed with nonlinear mixed effects (NLME) models to: (1) test for environmental and structural causes of differences among plots, and (2) test if there were continental differences once environment and structure were accounted for; persistence of differences may imply the importance of biogeography for vertical forest structure. NLME analyses for floristic subsets of data (only/excluding Fabaceae and only/excluding Dipterocarpaceae individuals) were used to examine whether family‐level patterns revealed biogeographical explanations of cross‐continental differences.

Results

H
AM and allometry were significantly different amongst continents. H
AM was greatest in Asian forests (58.3 ± 7.5 m, 95% CI), followed by forests in Africa (45.1 ± 2.6 m), America (35.8 ± 6.0 m) and Australia (35.0 ± 7.4 m), and height–diameter relationships varied similarly; for a given diameter, stems were tallest in Asia, followed by Africa, America and Australia. Precipitation seasonality, basal area, stem density, solar radiation and wood density each explained some variation in allometry and H
AM yet continental differences persisted even after these were accounted for. Analyses using floristic subsets showed that significant continental differences in H
AM and allometry persisted in all cases.

Main conclusions

Tree allometry and maximum height are altered by environmental conditions, forest structure and wood density. Yet, even after accounting for these, tropical forest architecture varies significantly from continent to continent. The greater stature of tropical forests in Asia is not directly determined by the dominance of the family Dipterocarpaceae, as on average non‐dipterocarps are equally tall. We hypothesise that dominant large‐statured families create conditions in which only tall species can compete, thus perpetuating a forest dominated by tall individuals from diverse families.
Parent‐child relationships of boys in different offending trajectories: a developmental perspective
Authors: Keijsers Loes , Loeber Rolf , Branje Susan , Meeus Wim
Published: July 2012

Background:  This study tested the theoretical assumption that transformations of parent‐child relationships in late childhood and adolescence would differ for boys following different offending trajectories.

Methods:  Using longitudinal multiinformant data of 503 boys (ages 7–19), we conducted Growth Mixture Modeling to extract offending trajectories. Developmental changes in child reports of parent‐child joint activities and relationship quality were examined using Latent Growth Curves.

Results:  Five offending trajectories were found: non‐offenders, moderate childhood offenders, adolescent‐limited offenders, serious childhood offenders, and serious persistent offenders. Non‐offenders reported high and stable levels of relationship quality between age 10 and 16. Adolescent‐limited offenders reported a similarly high relationship quality as non‐offenders at ages 7 and 10, but a lower and decreasing relationship quality in adolescence. Compared with non‐offenders, serious persistent offenders reported poorer parent‐child relationship quality at all ages, and a decreasing relationship quality in adolescence. Serious persistent offenders and adolescent‐limited offenders reported similar levels and changes in parent‐child relationship quality in adolescence. Although serious persistent offenders reported fewer joint activities at age 10 and 13 than non‐offenders, a similar linear decrease in joint activities in early to middle adolescence was found for boys in each trajectory.

Conclusion:  Developmental changes in parent‐child relationship quality differ for different types of offenders. This finding has scientific and practical implications.
Production of conjugated linoleic acid by food‐grade bacteria: A review
Authors: ANDRADE JOSÉ C , ASCENÇÃO KELLY , GULLÓN PATRICIA , HENRIQUES SILVINO M S , PINTO JORGE M S , ROCHA‐SANTOS TERESA A P , FREITAS ANA CRISTINA , GOMES ANA MARIA
Published: July 2012

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is a group of isomers of linoleic acid (LA) with several potential health benefits which justifies the efforts to obtain foods with enhanced CLA contents. A possible way to obtain CLA‐enriched products is via fermentation as several micro‐organisms, many of which are employed in the manufacture of foods, are known to convert free LA into CLA. However, due to several constraints, the use of CLA‐producing bacteria still remains challenging and continuous efforts are required. This review summarises the current knowledge on microbial CLA production by food‐grade micro‐organisms, its technical issues and limitations, potential applications and bioactivities.
Comparative protein interactomics of neuroglobin and myoglobin
Authors: Haines Bryan A. , Davis Darcy A. , Zykovich Artem , Peng Botao , Rao Rammohan , Mooney Sean D. , Jin Kunlin , Greenberg David A.
Published: July 2012

Neuroglobin is a hypoxia‐inducible O2‐binding protein with neuroprotective effects in cell and animal models of stroke and Alzheimer’s disease. The mechanism underlying neuroglobin’s cytoprotective action is unknown, although several possibilities have been proposed, including anti‐oxidative and anti‐apoptotic effects. We used affinity purification–mass spectrometry methods to identify neuroglobin‐interacting proteins in normoxic and hypoxic murine neuronal (HN33) cell lysates, and to compare these interactions with those of a structurally and functionally related protein, myoglobin. We report that the protein interactomes of neuroglobin and myoglobin overlap substantially and are modified by hypoxia. In addition, neuroglobin‐interacting proteins include partners consistent with both anti‐oxidative and anti‐apoptotic functions, as well as with a relationship to several neurodegenerative diseases.
Quetiapine prevents oligodendrocyte and myelin loss and promotes maturation of oligodendrocyte progenitors in the hippocampus of global cerebral ischemia mice
Authors: Bi Xiaoying , Zhang Yanbo , Yan Bin , Fang Shaokuan , He Jue , Zhang Dai , Zhang Zhijun , Kong Jiming , Tan Qingrong , Li Xin‐Min
Published: July 2012

White matter impairment is a feature of vascular depression. The anti‐psychotic quetiapine has been shown to enhance the therapeutic effects of anti‐depressants on vascular depression, but the mechanism remains unknown. In this study, we found that 2 weeks of treatment with quetiapine prior to bilateral carotid artery occlusion and reperfusion, in an animal model of vascular depression, resulted in reduced myelin breakdown and oligodendrocyte loss compared to placebo‐treated mice on post‐operative day (POD) 7. For late stage of recovery (POD40), quetiapine treatment resulted in enhanced oligodendrocyte maturation relative to placebo. The results suggest that quetiapine is a potential intervention for oligodendrocyte damage and this may contribute to its anti‐depressant effects through white matter protection in vascular depression.
Age‐related modulation of γ‐secretase activity in non‐human primate brains
Authors: Nishimura Masaki , Nakamura Shin‐ichiro , Kimura Nobuyuki , Liu Lei , Suzuki Toshiharu , Tooyama Ikuo
Published: July 2012

Age‐dependent accumulation of the amyloid‐β peptide (Aβ) in the brain is a pre‐condition for development of Alzheimer’s disease. A relative increase in the generation of longer Aβ species such as Aβ42 and Aβ43 is critical for Aβ deposition, but the underlying mechanism remains unresolved. Here, we performed a cell‐free assay using microsome fractions of temporal cortex tissues from 42 cynomolgus monkeys and found that Aβ40‐generating γ‐secretase activity (γ40) decreased with age, whereas Aβ42‐generating γ‐secretase activity (γ42) was unaltered. In ELISAs, more than 80% of monkeys over 20‐years old showed evidence of Aβ accumulation in the temporal cortex. The ratio of γ42 to γ40 increased with age and correlated with the level of accumulated Aβ. These results suggest that γ‐secretase activity undergoes age‐related, non‐genetic modulation and that this modulation may cause Aβ accumulation in aging brains. Similar modulation may predispose aged human brains to Alzheimer’s disease.
Community Residential Segregation and the Local Supply of Federally Qualified Health Centers
Authors: Ko Michelle , Ponce Ninez A.
Published: July 2012

Objective

To examine associations between community residential segregation by income and race/ethnicity, and the supply of federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) in urban areas.

Data Sources and Study Setting

Area Resource File (2000–2007) linked with 2000 U.S. Census on U.S. metropolitan counties (N = 1,786).

Study Design

We used logistic and negative binomial regression models with state‐level fixed effects to examine how county‐level characteristics in 2000 are associated with the presence of FQHCs in 2000, and with the increase in FQHCs from 2000 to 2007. Income and racial/ethnic residential segregation were measured by poverty and the non‐white dissimilarity indices, respectively. Covariates included measures of federal criteria for medically underserved areas/populations.

Principal Findings

Counties with a high non‐white dissimilarity index and a high percentage of minorities were more likely to have an FQHC in 2000. When we examined the addition of new FQHCs from 2000 to 2007, the effects of both poverty and non‐white dissimilarity indices were positive and significant.

Conclusions

Residential segregation likely produces geographic segregation of health services, such that provider maldistribution may explain the association between residential segregation and FQHC supply. Metropolitan areas that fail to achieve greater integration of poor and minority communities may require FQHCs to compensate for provider shortages.
Comparing Errors in Medicaid Reporting across Surveys: Evidence to Date
Authors: Call Kathleen T. , Davern Michael E. , Klerman Jacob A. , Lynch Victoria
Published: July 2012

Objective

To synthesize evidence on the accuracy of Medicaid reporting across state and federal surveys.

Data Sources

All available validation studies.

Study Design

Compare results from existing research to understand variation in reporting across surveys.

Data Collection Methods

Synthesize all available studies validating survey reports of Medicaid coverage.

Principal Findings

Across all surveys, reporting some type of insurance coverage is better than reporting Medicaid specifically. Therefore, estimates of uninsurance are less biased than estimates of specific sources of coverage. The CPS stands out as being particularly inaccurate.

Conclusions

Measuring health insurance coverage is prone to some level of error, yet survey overstatements of uninsurance are modest in most surveys. Accounting for all forms of bias is complex. Researchers should consider adjusting estimates of Medicaid and uninsurance in surveys prone to high levels of misreporting.
Measures of Social Deprivation That Predict Health Care Access and Need within a Rational Area of Primary Care Service Delivery
Authors: Butler Danielle C. , Petterson Stephen , Phillips Robert L. , Bazemore Andrew W.
Published: July 2012

Objective

To develop a measure of social deprivation that is associated with health care access and health outcomes at a novel geographic level, primary care service area.

Data Sources/Study Setting

Secondary analysis of data from the Dartmouth Atlas, AMA Masterfile, National Provider Identifier data, Small Area Health Insurance Estimates, American Community Survey, Area Resource File, and Behavioural Risk Factor Surveillance System. Data were aggregated to primary care service areas (PCSAs).

Study Design

Social deprivation variables were selected from literature review and international examples. Factor analysis was used. Correlation and multivariate analyses were conducted between index, health outcomes, and measures of health care access. The derived index was compared with poverty as a predictor of health outcomes.

Data Collection/Extraction Methods

Variables not available at the PCSA level were estimated at block level, then aggregated to PCSA level.

Principal Findings

Our social deprivation index is positively associated with poor access and poor health outcomes. This pattern holds in multivariate analyses controlling for other measures of access. A multidimensional measure of deprivation is more strongly associated with health outcomes than a measure of poverty alone.

Conclusions

This geographic index has utility for identifying areas in need of assistance and is timely for revision of 35‐year‐old provider shortage and geographic underservice designation criteria used to allocate federal resources.
A sensitive and specific assay for vasopressin in the circulating blood
Authors: GILMORE N. J. , VANE J. R.
Published: July 2012

A search was made for an assay tissue with selective sensitivity to vasopressin. Of those smooth muscle preparations tested, the longitudinal muscle of the isolated rectum of the rabbit was the most satisfactory.

The rabbit isolated rectum, bathed in Krebs solution, was contracted by acetylcholine, angiotensin II amide, bradykinin and 5‐hydroxytryptamine. It was relaxed by vasopressin, oxytocin and the catecholamines.

Vasopressin was active in concentrations of 4–100 μu./ml (0·01–0·25 ng/ml) and was 20–30 times more active than oxytocin. Bretylium had no effect on the relaxant action of vasopressin; nor did concentrations of α‐ and β‐adrenoceptor blocking agents sufficient to abolish the actions of catecholamines. Lignocaine reduced the sensitivity of the rabbit rectum to both vasopressin and oxytocin without altering the actions of adrenaline. High concentrations of either vasopressin or oxytocin desensitized the rabbit rectum to the actions of both hormones, without affecting the actions of adrenaline. It was concluded that vasopressin and oxytocin act on a common population of receptors different from those for catecholamines.

Phentolamine, unlike other α‐adrenoceptor antagonists, reduced the relaxant action of vasopressin on the rectum.

When superfused with blood from an anaesthetized dog, the rabbit rectum maintained a higher tone than in Krebs solution; it retained its sensitivity to vasopressin. Pronethalol, administered intraluminally, reduced spontaneous movement and abolished the actions of low concentrations of catecholamines, thereby increasing the specificity of the assay. No other substance tested relaxed the rectum in concentrations likely to be found in blood.

Vasopressin was stable in dog's blood; it survived passage through the pulmonary vascular bed; it had a half‐life in the circulation of about 1 min.

The half‐life of vasopressin in the circulation may depend upon the duration of the infusion.
Amino‐acid induced depression of cortical neurones
Authors: JOHNSON E. S. , ROBERTS M. H. T. , STRAUGHAN D. W.
Published: July 2012

The effects of strychnine on the degree of depression of neuronal firing induced by glycine, γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) and 5‐hydroxytryptamine (5‐HT) have been examined quantitatively. All drugs were applied by iontophoresis to spontaneously active cerebral cortical neurones in the anaesthetized cat. The application of these drugs was continued until a plateau or equilibrium depression was reached. The time taken to reach this steady state was noted. Dose‐response curves were then constructed for those currents giving less than complete depression.

Glycine was less potent than GABA and about 7‐fold larger currents were needed to achieve comparable depression. 5‐HT was also a weak depressant compared with GABA and had 0·6 the potency of glycine on a current basis.

Strychnine in currents up to 25 nA shifted the dose‐response curve of glycine to the right at a time when equilibrium depression in the same cells induced by the control agonists GABA or 5‐HT was unaffected. These currents of strychnine did, however, prolong the time‐course of onset of GABA and 5‐HT depression.

In larger currents strychnine reduced GABA equilibrium depression, but the dose‐response curve was not shifted in a parallel fashion.

It is concluded that strychnine can specifically and competitively antagonize the effect of glycine on cortical neurones.
Mode of action of α‐methylnoradrenaline on temperature and oxygen consumption in young chickens
Authors: ALLEN D. J. , GARG K. N. , MARLEY E.
Published: July 2012

Temperature, oxygen consumption, electromyographic activity, plasma non‐esterified fatty acids and blood sugar were estimated in conscious unrestrained young chickens under conditions of thermoneutrality (31° C) and below thermoneutrality (16° C). In some chickens carotid arterial pressure was also recorded.

At thermoneutrality, α‐methylnoradrenaline lowered temperature and oxygen consumption in intact or chronically vagotomized chicks. α‐Methylnoradrenaline was ineffective on temperature in chicks with transection of the brain‐stem posterior to the hypothalamus but anterior to the respiratory centre. Hypothermia due to α‐methylnoradrenaline was associated with a significant reduction of plasma non‐esterified fatty acids but blood sugar was not significantly altered. Lowering of temperature by α‐methylnoradrenaline occurred despite vasoconstriction which would hinder heat loss.

Temperature and oxygen consumption were reduced by α‐methylnoradrenaline in chronically thyroidectomized chicks to the same extent as in intact chicks but recovery did not occur unless the chicks were taken from the metabolism chamber and warmed artificially. In contrast, chronically thyroidectomized chicks given replacement thyroxine were relatively resistant to α‐methylnoradrenaline.

Oxygen consumption of tissue slices from different parts of the chick's brain, including the diencephalon, was not altered by α‐methylnoradrenaline over an extensive dose range. The effects of α‐methylnoradrenaline on temperature and oxygen consumption in intact chickens were unlikely, therefore, to be due to depressed metabolism of neurones.

In an environment below thermoneutrality (16° C) temperature was considerably reduced and carotid arterial pressure fell 40–50 mmHg. In contrast, electromyographic activity, oxygen consumption and plasma non‐esterified fatty acids were markedly raised whereas blood sugar was insignificantly elevated.

In experiments at 16° C, α‐methylnoradrenaline markedly reduced oxygen consumption although values were still higher than those at thermoneutrality. Temperature fell further, but whereas the reductions in oxygen consumption and temperature were long‐lasting, electromyographic activity (shivering) was only transiently diminished. Plasma non‐esterified fatty acids were reduced after α‐methylnoradrenaline but not significantly so; blood sugar was not significantly altered. The time‐course for recovery of oxygen consumption following α‐methylnoradrenaline paralleled recovery from its blood pressure effects but the effect on oxygen consumption was not a consequence of the blood pressure changes. The effects of α‐methylnoradrenaline on temperature, oxygen consumption and electromyographic activity were similar to those of another central depressant, pentobarbitone.
Temperature responses and other effects of 5‐hydroxytryptophan and 5‐hydroxytryptamine when acting from the liquor space in unanaesthetized rabbits
Authors: BANERJEE U. , BURKS T. F. , FELDBERG W. , GOODRICH CECILIE A.
Published: July 2012

In unanaesthetized rabbits 5‐hydroxytryptophan (5‐HTP) and 5‐hydroxytryptamine (5‐HT) were injected into the cisterna magna or into the cannulated left lateral cerebral ventricle while rectal temperature was recorded.

5‐HTP injected intracisternally in a dose of 1·5–3 mg produced a fall in temperature often followed by a rise beyond the pre‐injection level. With 6 mg the main effect was a rise in temperature. The intraventricular injection of 1–2 mg 5‐HTP usually produced a fall followed by a rise.

5‐HT injected intracisternally in a dose of 0·2 mg produced a fall in temperature similar to that produced with this dose injected intraventricularly. Following an intracisternal injection of 1–4 mg 5‐HT there was either a fall, or a fall followed by a rise, but in a few experiments the effect consisted mainly of a rise in temperature.

Additional effects regularly observed with these injections were tachypnoea, ear twitching, rapid movements of the vibrissae, shaking of the head, wiping and scratching movements, ataxia, nodding and sideways movements of the head and long‐lasting catalepsy.

The sites where 5‐HTP and 5‐HT act when producing the temperature responses and the various behavioural effects are discussed.
The effect of betamethasone on circadian and stress‐induced pituitary‐adrenocortical function in the rat
Authors: HODGES J. R. , MITCHLEY SUSAN
Published: July 2012

Both the circadian and stress‐induced changes in plasma corticosterone concentration were abolished by the inclusion of betamethasone in the drinking water of rats.

Adrenal sensitivity to exogenous corticotrophin (ACTH) was unimpaired by the betamethasone treatment.

The normal circadian rhythm in plasma corticosterone returned within 1 day of withdrawal of the steroid, but the response to stress was normal only after 3 days.

The possible significance of these observations is discussed.
The effect of caffeine on the mitosis of human lymphocytes in culture
Authors: TIMSON J.
Published: July 2012

The effect of caffeine at concentrations of 10−2m to 10−4<m on the mitotic rate of phytohaemagglutinin‐stimulated human lymphocytes from twelve normal subjects was examined in vitro.

At 10−2m the drug was cytotoxic.

At 10−4m caffeine reduced the rate of mitosis in all cases.

At 10−4m the drug was found to reduce the rate of mitosis in some cases, to give the same value as the control cultures in others and in a third group to increase the mitotic rate.

At 10−4m all the lymphocytes from females showed an increased rate of mitosis and all but one of the lymphocyte samples from males showed a decrease or no change. Thus at this concentration the effect of the drug on the mitotic rate appeared to be related to the sex of the lymphocyte donor. There was also a significant difference in the degree of inhibition between male and female lymphocytes at 10−3m.