bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SUMO E3 Ligase HIGH PLOIDY2 Regulates Endocycle Onset and Meristem Maintenance inArabidopsis
Authors: Ishida Takashi , Fujiwara Sumire , Miura Kenji , Stacey Nicola , Yoshimura Mika , Schneider Katja , Adachi Sumiko , Minamisawa Kazunori , Umeda Masaaki , Sugimoto Keiko
Published: August 2009

Endoreduplication involves a doubling of chromosomal DNA without corresponding cell division. In plants, many cell types transit from the mitotic cycle to the endoreduplication cycle or endocycle, and this transition is often coupled with the initiation of cell expansion and differentiation. Although a number of cell cycle regulators implicated in endocycle onset have been identified, it is still largely unknown how this transition is developmentally regulated at the whole organ level. Here, we report that a nuclear-localized SUMO E3 ligase, HIGH PLOIDY2 (HPY2), functions as a repressor of endocycle onset in Arabidopsis thaliana meristems. Loss of HPY2 results in a premature transition from the mitotic cycle to the endocycle, leading to severe dwarfism with defective meristems. HPY2 possesses an SP-RING domain characteristic of MMS21-type SUMO E3 ligases, and we show that the conserved residues within this domain are required for the in vivo and in vitro function of HPY2. HPY2 is predominantly expressed in proliferating cells of root meristems and it functions downstream of meristem patterning transcription factors PLETHORA1 (PLT1) and PLT2. These results establish that HPY2-mediated sumoylation modulates the cell cycle progression and meristem development in the PLT-dependent signaling pathway.
Milankovitch and sub‐Milankovitch forcing of the Oxfordian (Late Jurassic) Terres Noires Formation (SE France) and global implications
Authors: Boulila S. , Galbrun B. , Hinnov L. A. , Collin P.‐Y. , Ogg J. G. , Fortwengler D. , Marchand D.
Published: August 2009

High‐resolution analysis (2277 samples) of magnetic susceptibility (MS) was performed on ∼700‐m‐thick Early–Middle Oxfordian marine marls of the Terres Noires Formation, SE France. MS variations within these sediments record sub‐Milankovitch to Milankovitch frequencies with long‐term eccentricity (405 kyr and ∼2 Myr) being the most prominent. The 405 kyr cycle was used as a high‐resolution geochronometer for astronomical calibration of this poorly constrained interval of Late Jurassic time. The estimated duration of this Early–Middle Oxfordian interval concurs with the current International Geologic Time Scale GTS2004 (∼4 Myr), but the estimated durations of the corresponding ammonite zones are notably different. The calibration improves the resolution and accuracy of the M‐sequence magnetic anomaly block model that was previously used to establish the Oxfordian time scale. Additionally, the 405 kyr cyclicity is linked to third‐order sea‐level depositional sequences observed for Early–Middle Oxfordian time. Strong ∼2 Myr cycles are consistent with long‐term eccentricity modulation predicted for the Late Jurassic. These cycles do not match second‐order sequences that have been documented for European basins; this raises questions about the definition and hierarchy of depositional sequences in the Mesozoic eustatic chart. Our results require substantial revisions to the chart, which is frequently used as a reference for the correlation of widely separated palaeogeographic domains. Finally, a long‐term trend in the MS data reflects a progressive carbonate enrichment of the marls expressing an Early Oxfordian global cooling followed gradually by a warming in the Middle Oxfordian. This trend also records a major transgressive interval likely peaking at the Transversarium ammonite zone of the Middle Oxfordian.
Iron overload in thalassaemia intermedia: reassessment of iron chelation strategies
Authors: Taher Ali , Hershko Chaim , Cappellini Maria Domenica
Published: August 2009

Thalassaemia intermedia (TI) is a syndrome marked by its diverse underlying genetic basis although its pathophysiology remains unclear, particularly regarding the nature of iron loading and toxicity. It is, however, evident that there are key differences from the extensively studied thalassaemia major (TM) population and caution is required when assessing iron load based on serum ferritin values, as this approach is known to underestimate the true extent of iron loading in patients with TI. Although effective iron chelation therapy has been available for many years, studies in TI‐specific populations are rare and evidence suggests that management of iron levels may be less rigorous than in patients with TM and other chronic anaemias. Better understanding of the need to assess and treat iron overload in both transfused and non‐transfused TI patients is clearly required.
Sentinel systems on the razor's edge: effects of warming on Arctic geothermal stream ecosystems
Authors: WOODWARD GUY , DYBKJÆR JOHN B. , ÓLAFSSON JÓN S. , GÍSLASON GÍSLI M. , HANNESDÓTTIR ELÍSABET R. , FRIBERG NIKOLAI
Published: August 2009

The Earth is experiencing historically unprecedented rates of warming, with surface temperatures projected to increase by 3–5 °C globally, and up to 7.5 °C in high latitudes, within the next century. Knowledge of how this will affect biological systems is still largely restricted to the lower levels of organization (e.g. species range shifts), rather than at the community, food web or ecosystem level, where responses cannot be predicted from studying single species in isolation. Further, many correlational studies are confounded with time and/or space, whereas experiments have been mostly confined to laboratory microcosms that cannot capture the true complexity of natural ecosystems. We used a ‘natural experiment’ in an attempt to circumvent these shortcomings, by characterizing community structure and trophic interactions in 15 geothermal Icelandic streams ranging in temperature from 5 °C to 45 °C. Even modest temperature increases had dramatic effects across multiple levels of organization, from changes in the mean body size of the top predators, to unimodal responses of species populations, turnover in community composition, and lengthening of food chains. Our results reveal that the rates of warming predicted for the next century have serious implications for the structure and functioning of these fragile ‘sentinel’ ecosystems across multiple levels of organization.
The Arabidopsis SUMO E3 ligase AtMMS21, a homologue of NSE2/MMS21, regulates cell proliferation in the root
Authors: Huang Lixia , Yang Songguang , Zhang Shengchun , Liu Ming , Lai Jianbin , Qi Yanli , Shi Songfeng , Wang Jinxiang , Wang Yaqin , Xie Qi , Yang Chengwei
Published: August 2009

hMMS21 is a SUMO E3 ligase required for the prevention of DNA damage‐induced apoptosis, and acts by facilitating DNA repair in human cells. The Arabidopsis genome contains a putative MMS21 homologue capable of interacting with the SUMO E2 conjugating enzyme AtSCE1a, as indicated by a yeast two‐hybrid screen and bimolecular fluorescence complementation experiments. In vitro and in vivo data demonstrated that AtMMS21 was a SUMO E3 ligase. We identified the Arabidopsis AtMMS21 null T‐DNA insertion mutant mms21‐1, which had a short‐root phenotype, and affected cell proliferation in the apical root meristem, as indicated by impaired expression of the cell division marker CYCB1:GUS in mms21‐1 roots. The mms21‐1 roots had reduced responses to exogenous cytokinins, and decreased expression of the cytokinin‐induced genes ARR3, ARR4, ARR5 and ARR7, compared with the wild type. Thus, our findings suggest that the AtMMS21 gene is involved in root development via cell‐cycle regulation and cytokinin signalling.
Genotype and time of day shape the Populus drought response
Authors: Wilkins Olivia , Waldron Levi , Nahal Hardeep , Provart Nicholas J. , Campbell Malcolm M.
Published: August 2009

As exposure to episodic drought can impinge significantly on forest health and the establishment of productive tree plantations, there is great interest in understanding the mechanisms of drought response in trees. The ecologically dominant and economically important genus Populus, with its sequenced genome, provides an ideal opportunity to examine transcriptome level changes in trees in response to a drought stimulus. The transcriptome level drought response of two commercially important Populus clones (P. deltoides × P. nigra, DN34, and P. nigra × P. maximowiczii, NM6) was characterized over a diurnal period using a 4 × 2 × 2 complete randomized factorial anova experimental design (four time points, two genotypes and two treatment conditions), using Affymetrix Poplar GeneChip microarrays. Notably, the specific genes that exhibited changes in transcript abundance in response to drought differed between the genotypes and/or the time of day that they exhibited their greatest differences. This study emphasizes the fact that it is not possible to draw simple, generalized conclusions about the drought response of the genus Populus on the basis of one species, nor on the basis of results collected at a single time point. The data derived from our studies provide insights into the variety of genetic mechanisms underpinning the Populus drought response, and provide candidates for future experiments aimed at understanding this response across this economically and ecologically important genus.
Single‐nucleotide and long‐patch base excision repair of DNA damage in plants
Authors: Córdoba‐Cañero Dolores , Morales‐Ruiz Teresa , Roldán‐Arjona Teresa , Ariza Rafael R.
Published: August 2009

Base excision repair (BER) is a critical pathway in cellular defense against endogenous or exogenous DNA damage. This elaborate multistep process is initiated by DNA glycosylases that excise the damaged base, and continues through the concerted action of additional proteins that finally restore DNA to the unmodified state. BER has been subject to detailed biochemical analysis in bacteria, yeast and animals, mainly through in vitro reproduction of the entire repair reaction in cell‐free extracts. However, an understanding of this repair pathway in plants has consistently lagged behind. We report the extension of BER biochemical analysis to plants, using Arabidopsis cell extracts to monitor repair of DNA base damage in vitro. We have used this system to demonstrate that Arabidopsis cell extracts contain the enzymatic machinery required to completely repair ubiquitous DNA lesions, such as uracil and abasic (AP) sites. Our results reveal that AP sites generated after uracil excision are processed both by AP endonucleases and AP lyases, generating either 5′‐ or 3′‐blocked ends, respectively. We have also found that gap filling and ligation may proceed either through insertion of just one nucleotide (short‐patch BER) or several nucleotides (long‐patch BER). This experimental system should prove useful in the biochemical and genetic dissection of BER in plants, and contribute to provide a broader picture of the evolution and biological relevance of DNA repair pathways.
An F‐box gene, CPR30, functions as a negative regulator of the defense response in Arabidopsis
Authors: Gou Mingyue , Su Nan , Zheng Jun , Huai Junling , Wu Guangheng , Zhao Jinfeng , He Junguang , Tang Dingzhong , Yang Shuhua , Wang Guoying
Published: August 2009

Arabidopsis gain‐of‐resistance mutants, which show HR‐like lesion formation and SAR‐like constitutive defense responses, were used well as tools to unravel the plant defense mechanisms. We have identified a novel mutant, designated constitutive expresser of PR genes 30 (cpr30), that exhibited dwarf morphology, constitutive resistance to the bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringae and the dramatic induction of defense‐response gene expression. The cpr30‐conferred growth defect morphology and defense responses are dependent on ENHANCED DISEASE SUSCEPTIBILITY 1 (EDS1), PHYTOALEXIN DEFICIENT 4 (PAD4), and NONRACE‐SPECIFIC DISEASE RESISTANCE 1 (NDR1). Further studies demonstrated that salicylic acid (SA) could partially account for the cpr30‐conferred constitutive PR1 gene expression, but not for the growth defect, and that the cpr30‐conferred defense responses were NPR1 independent. We observed a widespread expression of CPR30 throughout the plant, and a localization of CPR30‐GFP fusion protein in the cytoplasm and nucleus. As an F‐box protein, CPR30 could interact with multiple Arabidopsis‐SKP1‐like (ASK) proteins in vivo. Co‐localization of CPR30 and ASK1 or ASK2 was observed in Arabidopsis protoplasts. Based on these results, we conclude that CPR30, a novel negative regulator, regulates both SA‐dependent and SA‐independent defense signaling, most likely through the ubiquitin‐proteasome pathway in Arabidopsis.
Chronic pain after cardiac surgery: a prospective study
Authors: GJEILO K. H. , KLEPSTAD P. , WAHBA A. , LYDERSEN S. , STENSETH R.
Published: August 2009

Background: Chronic pain is a complication of several surgical procedures. The prevalence of chronic pain reported after cardiac surgery varies from 18% to 61%. However, most studies are retrospective, do not use validated instruments for pain measurement or include only pain at the sternum site. The aim of the present study was to assess chronic pain and health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) after cardiac surgery.

Methods: In a prospective, population‐based study, we included 534 patients (413 males) and assessed chronic pain and HRQOL before, 6 months after, and 12 months after cardiac surgery. Pain was measured by the Brief Pain Inventory, while HRQOL was measured by the Short‐Form 36 (SF‐36).

Results: Five hundred and twenty‐one patients were alive 12 months after surgery; 462 (89%) and 465 (89%) responded after 6 and 12 months, respectively. Chronic pain was reported by 11% of the patients at both measurements. Younger age was associated with chronic pain [odds ratio 0.7 (95% confidence interval: 0.5–0.9)] at 12 months. Patients with chronic pain reported lower scores on seven of eight SF‐36 subscales.

Discussion: In conclusion, we observed a lower prevalence of chronic pain after cardiac surgery than in previous studies. Still, more than one out of 10 patients reported chronic pain after cardiac surgery. Chronic pain appears to affect HRQOL. Thus, given the large number of patients subjected to cardiac surgery, this study confirms that chronic pain after cardiac surgery is an important health care issue.
Competition for nitrogen sources between European beech (Fagus sylvatica) and sycamore maple (Acer pseudoplatanus) seedlings
Authors: Simon J. , Waldhecker P. , Brüggemann N. , Rennenberg H.
Published: August 2009

To investigate the short‐term consequences of direct competition between beech and sycamore maple on root N uptake and N composition, mycorrhizal seedlings of both tree species were incubated for 4 days (i.e. beech only, sycamore maple only or both together) in an artificial nutrient solution with low N availability. On the fourth day, N uptake experiments were conducted to study the effects of competition on inorganic and organic N uptake. For this purpose, multiple N sources were applied with a single label. Furthermore, fine roots were sampled and analysed for total amino acids, soluble protein, total nitrogen, nitrate and ammonium content. Our results clearly show that both tree species were able to use inorganic and organic N sources. Uptake of inorganic and organic N by beech roots was negatively affected in the presence of the competing tree species. In contrast, the presence of beech stimulated inorganic N uptake by sycamore maple roots. Both the negative effect of sycamore maple on N uptake of beech and the positive effect of beech on N uptake of sycamore maple led to an increase in root soluble protein in beech, despite an overall decrease in total N concentration. Thus, beech compensated for the negative effects of the tree competitor on N uptake by incorporating less N into structural N components, but otherwise exhibited the same strategy as the competitor, namely, enhancing soluble protein levels in roots when grown under competition. It is speculated that enhanced enzyme activities of so far unknown nature are required in beech as a defence response to inter‐specific competition.
Cryptic self‐incompatibility and distyly in Hedyotis acutangula Champ. (Rubiaceae)
Authors: Wu X. , Li A. , Zhang D.
Published: August 2009

Distyly, floral polymorphism frequently associated with reciprocal herkogamy, self‐ and intramorph incompatibility and secondary dimorphism, constitutes an important sexual system in the Rubiaceae. Here we report an unusual kind of distyly associated with self‐ and/or intramorph compatibility in a perennial herb, Hedyotis acutangula. Floral morphology, ancillary dimorphisms and compatibility of the two morphs were studied. H. acutangula did not exhibit precise reciprocal herkogamy, but this did not affect the equality of floral morphs in the population, as usually found in distylous plants. Both pin and thrum pollen retained relatively high viability for 8 h. The pollen to ovule ratio was 72.5 in pin flowers and 54.4 in thrum flowers. Pistils of pin flowers remained receptive for longer than those of thrum flowers. No apparent difference in the germination rate of pin and thrum pollen grains was observed when cultured in vitro, although growth of thrum pollen tubes was much faster than that of pin pollen tubes. Artificial pollination revealed that pollen tube growth in legitimate intermorph crosses was faster than in either intramorph crosses or self‐pollination, suggesting the occurrence of cryptic self‐incompatibility in this species. Cryptic self‐incompatibility functioned differently in the two morphs, with pollen tube growth rates after legitimate and illegitimate pollination much more highly differentiated in pin flowers than in thrum flowers. No fruit was produced in emasculated netted flowers, suggesting the absence of apomixis. Our results indicate that H. acutangula is distylous, with a cryptic self‐incompatibility breeding system.
Osteological Development of the Garfish (Belone belone) Larvae
Authors: Kužir S. , Kozarić Z. , Gjurčević E. , Baždarić B. , Petrinec Z.
Published: August 2009

Garfish, Belone belone (Linnaeus, 1761) is an elongate, slander fish inhabiting the Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea. These fish from the Belonidae (Actinopterygii) family have important commercial value for Croatian fisheries. Samples for research were collected from experimental hatching in the Novigrad Sea. Preparation techniques included fixation in buffered formalin, trypsin clearing and staining with alcian blue and alizarin red. As little is known of garfish osteology and bone morphology, the main goal of this study was to describe ossification process in garfish fry. At hatching, no skeletal structure is present. Newly‐hatched larvae also had no osteological elements. Ossification started at 7 day post‐hatching (DPH) [total length (TL) 18 mm] with head bones and vertebral neural arch. Head skeleton continued to develop mostly over the period from 7 to 10 DPH. At 21 DPH (TL 49 mm), ossification process seemed to be finished, but it was not possible to distinguish borders of all bones. The primary interest of our research was to understand the growth dynamics as well as transformation of supporting body elements from cartilage to bone. At the end, developmental characteristics and functional aspects of this formation in different fish species are discussed.
Morphology and Morphometry of Lingual Papillae in Adult and Newborn Egyptian Fruit Bats (Rousettus aegyptiacus)
Authors: Trzcielińska‐Lorych J. , Jackowiak H. , Skieresz‐Szewczyk K. , Godynicki S.
Published: August 2009

The paper presents a comparison of the microscopic structure and morphometric traits of gustatory and mechanical lingual papillae in newborn and adult frugivorous Egyptian fruit bats (Rousettus aegyptiacus). All of the four types of lingual papillae found in adult animals were observed on the tongue surface in the newborn Egyptian fruit bats. After the birth, the gustatory papillae (fungiform and vallate papillae) were especially well‐developed, as their structural characteristics, such as morphology of the epithelium and presence of the taste buds, indicate that they have reached almost complete functional traits. Mechanical papillae, particularly filiform papillae, in newborns are still fetal in character. Keratinization processes in the epithelium of these papillae are not advanced and specific structures, such as elongated processes, are missing. The morphometric analysis of the size of papillae and thickness of the mucosal epithelium showed that a complete development of keratinized structures in Egyptian fruit bats occurs at later stages of postnatal development.
Phenotype for activated tissue macrophages in histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis
Authors: Nomura Yuko , Takeuchi Masanori , Yoshida Shiro , Sugita Yasuo , Niino Daisuke , Kimura Yoshizo , Shimizu Kei , Aoki Ryosuke , Suefuji Nobuko , Hirose Shinichi , Kikuchi Masahiro , Ohshima Koichi
Published: August 2009

Macrophage polarization is divided into M1 and M2 type based on membrane receptors, cytokines, and chemokines. M1 expresses CD80, interleukin (IL)‐6, IL‐12, and chemokine receptor (CCR)7, while M2 expresses CD163, IL10, and chemokine ligand (CCL)22. The aim of the present study was to identify the properties of infiltrating tissue macrophages in histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis (HNL). Twenty patients with HNL were studied, and immunohistochemistry for CD68 (KP1), CD163, CCL22, CCR7, and CD123 was done, along with myeloperoxidase (MPO). To evaluate the phenotypes of tissue macrophages in HNL, the number of cells stained positively for CD163, CCL22, CCR7, CD123 and MPO concurrently with CD68 was counted, and the ratio was calculated for each antibody to CD68+ cells. There was a high rate of co‐expression for CD163 (median, 78%) or CCL22 (80%) and a low rate for CCR7 (5%) in CD68+ cells. It is therefore conceivable that infiltration by M2 macrophages is dominant in HNL. Furthermore, some CD68+ tissue macrophages in HNL co‐express MPO or CD123 (range, 5–80%; median, 23% and 40%, respectively). It is suggested that these characteristic tissue macrophages may be associated with the pathogenesis of HNL and that M2 macrophages may infiltrate to repair the lymphoid tissue injured by cytotoxic T cells in HNL.
Primary urothelial carcinoma of the upper tract: Important clinicopathological factors predicting bladder recurrence after surgical resection
Authors: Huang Wen‐Wei , Huang Hsuan‐Ying , Liao Alex C. , Shiue Yow‐Ling , Tai Hsiu‐Lun , Lin Chun‐Mao , Wang Yu‐Hui , Lin Ching‐Nan , Shen Kun‐Hung , Li Chien‐Feng
Published: August 2009

The aim of the present study was to further characterize potential clinicopathological predictors for urinary bladder recurrence‐free survival (UBRFS) in patients with primary urothelial carcinoma of the upper urinary tract (UUT‐UC). The present series included 385 cases of surgically treated primary localized UUT‐UC without previous or concurrent urothelial carcinoma of the urinary bladder. Among the 374 patients with follow‐up information, clinicopathological features and therapeutic information including whether they received a laparoscopy‐assisted nephroureterectomy (LNU) and adjuvant chemotherapy were correlated with UBRFS. After a median follow up of 69 months, 86 patients (23%) developed urinary bladder recurrence. The median time to develop urinary bladder recurrence was 12 months. At the univariate level, an increment in histological grade (P= 0.0321), a prominent papillary configuration (P= 0.0004), LNU (P= 0.0397) and male gender (P= 0.0401) significantly predicted an inferior UBRFS. At the multivariate level, increase of histological grade (P < 0.0001, relative risk (RR) = 3.776), prominent papillary configuration (P < 0.0001, RR = 3.244), and male gender (P= 0.0463, RR = 1.444) independently predicted UBRFS. In conclusion, male patients and those with high‐grade and papillary UUT‐UC, and who received LNU had higher risks of urinary bladder recurrence. Accordingly, for these patients, more intensive follow up coupled with postoperative intravesical adjuvant therapy to prevent urinary bladder recurrence should also be considered.
Corrosion fatigue performance of pre‐split steel wires for high strength bridge cables
Authors: JIANG J. H. , MA A. B. , WENG W. F. , FU G. H. , ZHANG Y. F. , LIU G. G. , LU F. M.
Published: August 2009

The first parametric investigation about corrosion fatigue (CF) behaviour of pre‐split high‐strength galvanized steel wires was conducted for perfecting the design and maintenance of modern bridge cable structures. Counting the cycle number to failure presents that lower fatigue endurance always correlates with higher stress amplitude, while decrease in load ratio and/or increase in cyclic load frequency significantly prolongs the CF life. Electron fractography indicates that the fatigue crack growth rate of the steel wires is lower in air with the presence of tyre tracks on the fracture surface, and faster in aggressive media resulting from anodic dissolution and crack opening displacement at the crack tips. Longer CF endurance of bridge cable steel wires can be expected through ideal thermo‐mechanical treatment after the successive cold drawing, for a significant benefit on corrosion resistance and microstructure improvement.
Immediate surgical outcomes for radical prostatectomy in the University HealthSystem Consortium Clinical Data Base: the impact of hospital case volume, hospital size and geographical region on 48 000 patients
Authors: Mitchell Robert E. , Lee Byron T. , Cookson Michael S. , Barocas Daniel A. , Herrell S. Duke , Clark Peter E. , Smith Jr. Joseph A. , Chang Sam S.
Published: August 2009

OBJECTIVE

To determine the impact of hospital variables on immediate surgical outcomes for patients treated with radical prostatectomy (RP) in academic centres.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The University HealthSystem Consortium (UHC) Clinical Data Base was queried for data corresponding to patients who had RP at one of 130 academic medical centres nationwide between 2003 and the second quarter of 2007 (48 086). RP case volume (1–99, 100–499 and >500), total discharges (1–49 999, 50 000–99 999, >100 000), and geographical region (five categories) were determined and categorized for each academic centre. Analysis of variance and the Tukey statistic were used to assess the results. Length of stay (LOS), intensive care unit (ICU) rate, complication rate (CR) and in‐hospital mortality (IHM) were analysed.

RESULTS

Case volume was a significant predictor of LOS, ICU and CR. The mean LOS was 3.77, 2.65 and 2.09 days, respectively, for centres from three tiers of lowest to highest case volumes (P < 0.001). ICU rates for the three tiers were 18.57, 3.61, and 1.30 (P < 0.001); CRs were 15.93, 8.79 and 5.76 (P < 0.001). Tukey analysis showed a ‘ceiling’ effect for ICU and CRs; there were no differences between the two higher case‐volume groups. IHM was not significantly different between groups stratified by case volume. Stratification by total discharges showed differences in ICU rates only (P = 0.003). Stratification by geographical region showed no differences in outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

RP case volume was an important variable in predicting three of the four outcome variables. CRs and ICU rates showed a ‘ceiling effect’ suggesting that an unknown ‘critical volume’ of cases portends improved surgical outcomes.
Maternal arterial stiffness in pregnancies affected by Type 1 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Anderson J. M. , Savvidou M. D. , Kaihura C. , McEniery C. M. , Nicolaides K. H.
Published: August 2009

Aim  There is little information about maternal central haemodynamics and arterial stiffness in pregnancies affected by Type 1 diabetes mellitus. The aim of the current study was to investigate whether maternal arterial stiffness is altered in pregnant women with Type 1 diabetes mellitus compared with women with uncomplicated pregnancies.

Methods  This was a cross‐sectional study involving 37 pregnant women without diabetes and 37 pregnant women with Type 1 diabetes mellitus during the second trimester of pregnancy. Maternal wave reflection (augmentation index) and pulse wave velocity of the carotid‐femoral and carotid‐radial part of the arterial tree were assessed non‐invasively using applanation tonometry.

Results  Pregnant women with normal pregnancies and Type 1 diabetes mellitus had similar augmentation index (3.7 ± 12.8 vs. 5.1 ± 12.6%, P = 0.6), even after adjusting for possible confounders. Within the group of diabetic women, augmentation index was associated with duration of diabetes (P = 0.003, r2 = 0.22) but not with glycated haemoglobin. Pulse wave velocities were similar between the two groups of women (carotid‐femoral: 5.6 ± 0.9 vs. 5.7 ± 1.1 m/s, P = 0.4; carotid‐radial: 7.4 ± 1.2 vs. 7.8 ± 1 m/s, P = 0.1). In the diabetic women there was no significant association between the pulse wave velocities and either duration of diabetes or glycated haemoglobin.

Conclusions  Pregnancy in women with Type 1 diabetes mellitus is not associated with altered maternal systemic arterial stiffness. However, maternal wave reflections increase with the duration of diabetes.
Handedness, insulin sensitivity and pancreatic B‐cell function in Type 2 diabetes
Authors: Hermans M. P. , Ahn S. A. , Selvais P. L. , Rousseau M. F.
Published: August 2009

Background  Laterality is associated with various health conditions. No study has addressed the influence of handedness on Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) phenotype, including glucose homeostasis, glucose‐lowering therapies and metabolic control.

Methods  Five hundred and seventy‐six consecutive adult T2DM outpatients underwent homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) of pancreatic B‐cell function (B), insulin sensitivity (S), hyperbolic product (B × S) and age‐standardized B × S deficit. Right‐handed patients (87.5%; RH; n = 504) had similar age, gender, diabetes duration and education than non‐right‐handed patients (12.5%; non‐RH; n = 72).

Results  Non‐RH were more insulin‐sensitive: 66% (39%) vs. 52% (36%) [mean (1 sd); P = 0.0024] and had significantly higher B × S and lower age‐adjusted B × S deficit: 35% (20%) vs. 26% (17%) and 1.08% (0.40%) vs. 1.32% (0.55%)/year (non‐RH; P = 0.0005 and P < 0.0001, respectively).

Conclusions  Non‐right‐handed T2DM patients are more insulin‐sensitive, have higher hyperbolic product and less age‐standardized B × S deficit. These may modulate glucose‐lowering therapy requirements and glycaemic control.
Emergency room visit: a red‐flag indicator for poor diabetes care
Authors: Stern Z. , Calderon‐Margalit R. , Mazar M. , Brezis M. , Tirosh A.
Published: August 2009

Aim  To determine the association between emergency room (ER) admission and quality of diabetes care in the community.

Methods  In a nested case–control study of patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) within a large health maintenance organization (HMO) in Israel, 919 patients who were admitted to one of West Jerusalem’s ERs between 1 May and 30 June 2004 were compared with 1952 control subjects not admitted. Data on study covariates were retrieved from the HMO’s computerized database and a subset of the study population was interviewed. Logistic regressions were conducted to estimate the odds ratios of being admitted according to different measures of quality of care, controlling for socio‐demographic variables, co‐morbidities and type of DM treatment.

Results  The main indices of quality of primary care that were inversely associated with visiting an ER during the study period included performance of a cholesterol test in the year prior to the index date [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 0.23, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.19–0.29, P < 0.001], performance of glycated haemoglobin test (OR 0.26, 95% CI 0.24–0.29, P < 0.001), visiting an ophthalmologist (OR 0.47, 95% CI 0.32–0.68, P = 0.001), and recommendations to stop smoking (OR 0.10, 95% CI 0.05–0.21, P < 0.001).

Conclusions  Admission to the ER can be used as an indicator for poor quality of diabetes care. There is an association between ER admission and poor quality of diabetes care.
Conservative management of diabetic forefoot ulceration complicated by underlying osteomyelitis: the benefits of magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Valabhji J. , Oliver N. , Samarasinghe D. , Mali T. , Gibbs R. G. J. , Gedroyc W. M. W.
Published: August 2009

Aims  To assess efficacy of conservative management of neuropathic forefoot ulcers with underlying osteomyelitis in subjects with diabetes when magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is used to confirm or establish diagnosis and to guide antibiotic duration.

Methods  A retrospective cohort study over 6 years assessing rates of ulcer healing, relapse and amputation. Antibiotics were continued for 3‐month cycles with interval MRI: if the lesion had healed and bone signal change resolved or improved, antibiotics were discontinued; if the lesion had not healed or there was no difference in bone signal change, antibiotics were continued for a further 3‐month cycle; clinical or radiological deterioration resulted in endoluminal or open vascular surgical intervention where appropriate, or digital or more proximal amputation.

Results  There were 53 episodes in 47 subjects (mean ± sd age 62 ± 13 years, duration of diabetes 19 ± 13 years, glycated haemoglobin 8.4 ± 1.6%; six with Type 1 diabetes and seven with end‐stage renal failure). Successful healing without relapse was achieved in 40 episodes (75%) [median (range) duration of antibiotics 6 (3–12) months and follow‐up post‐cessation of antibiotics 15 (3–58) months]. Relapse occurred in six episodes (13%) at 31 (2–38) months post‐cessation of antibiotics. There were one major (2%) and eight minor (15%) amputations. Five subjects have died (11%), all without foot ulcers.

Conclusions  High rates of healing and low rates of amputation were achieved. The use of MRI was associated with long courses of antibiotics, but particularly low relapse rate.
Two faces of human happiness: Explicit and implicit life satisfaction
Authors: Jang Daisung , Kim Do‐Yeong
Published: August 2009

Evidence is provided for implicit aspects of life satisfaction. In study 1 the implicit life satisfaction measure (ILS): (i) showed moderate reliability as well as convergent and incremental validity; (ii) appeared to be affected by temporary mood and social desirability to a lesser extent than explicit measures; and (iii) showed cultural invariance in contrast to explicit measures that revealed cross‐cultural differences, as found in previous research. Study 2 showed that the ILS replicated theoretically expected differences between those known to have encountered chronically negative life experiences (North Korean defectors) and those without such experiences (South Koreans). Implications of these findings for explicit and ILS are discussed.
A More Accountable Press
Authors: SEYMOUR‐URE COLIN
Published: August 2009

This independent report for the Media Standards Trust makes the case for urgent reform of the self‐regulation of British press content. It focuses on increasing inaccuracy and invasion of privacy by the press, which also suffers declining public trust. These features are linked to major changes in press technology and economics. Unlike comparable trades and professions, the Press Complaints Commission has not updated its structure and procedures to reflect modern standards of transparency, fairness and accountability. The democratic role of the press is weakened. Governments may be tempted to intervene. A later report will propose reforms.
Against Localism: Does Decentralising Power to Communities Fail Minorities?
Authors: PARVIN PHIL
Published: August 2009

The continued decline in levels of political engagement among British citizens has led many politicians, commentators and academics from across the political spectrum to advocate a move toward a more direct form of democracy via some kind of localism. The claim is that citizens feel increasingly estranged from the democratic process, and from those organisations on which they have historically relied to represent them within the political system. Consequently, localists argue, there now exists a gap between the people, the institutions which are supposed to work on their behalf, and the decisions made in their name, so the system needs to be reformed in such a way as to give individuals and local communities more of a direct input into the decision‐making process. Calls for a more direct form of democracy via localism are popular among members of the progressive left and the ‘new Conservative’ right, and have become so dominant in political discourse that it is often suggested that ‘we are all localists now’. This article raises questions about the localist agenda, and suggests that the adoption of a more direct form of democracy in Britain may not only fail to address the decline in political engagement, but may also result in the exclusion, marginalisation, and oppression of minority groups.
Far from Home: Conservative Leadership Selection from Heath to Cameron
Authors: DENHAM ANDREW
Published: August 2009

The Conservative Party is the oldest of the ‘mainstream’ British parties, but has only elected its leader since 1965. In this article, I explain the variety of methods used by the Party to select its leader and assess the impact of ‘democratisation’ over time. I begin by examining the informal ‘system’, known as the ‘magic circle’, which existed until 1965, and explain how and why it came to be abandoned. I then discuss the six elections between 1965 and 1997, when the Tory leader was chosen exclusively by the Party's MPs. Finally, I assess the impact of the ‘Hague rules’, according to which Party members have the final say, between their adoption in 1998 and the election of David Cameron in 2005.
‘Solidity or Wind?’ What's on the Menu in the Bill of Rights Debate?
Authors: KLUG FRANCESCA
Published: August 2009

This article examines the pronouncements and positions of the leading political parties on the Human Rights Act and the proposals for a new British Bill of Rights and Responsibilities. It analyses the main arguments made in support of a British Bill of Rights and Responsibilities, which are advanced around five main issues: security, the judges, parliamentary sovereignty, responsibilities and ‘British rights’. The article was written before the government published the Green Paper Rights and Responsibilities: developing our constitutional framework in March 2009 and provides a political context with which to analyse it.
Nudge Nudge, Think Think: Two Strategies for Changing Civic Behaviour
Authors: JOHN PETER , SMITH GRAHAM , STOKER GERRY
Published: August 2009

This paper reviews two contrasting approaches governments use to engage the citizen to promote better public policy outcomes: nudging citizens using the insights of behavioural economics, as summarised by Thaler and Sunstein (2009) or giving citizens the space to think through and debate solutions, as indicated by proponents of deliberative democracy. The paper summarises each approach, giving examples; then it compares and contrast them, illustrating their relative strengths and weaknesses. The paper concludes by suggesting that the approaches share some common features and policy‐makers could useful draw upon both.
Swimming for Their Lives—Waving or Drowning? A Review of the Evidence of Ministerial Overload and of Potential Remedies for It
Authors: LAUGHRIN DAVID
Published: August 2009

There is a range of evidence pointing to the problem of overload on government ministers in both the UK and other Westminster‐system countries. This article reviews evidence from the time of Gladstone to the present day, concentrating on evidence relating to the last twenty five years. It surveys the comments and opinions of serving and retired politicians and of academic commentators, assessing the contention that the burden on ministers has increased, is likely to continue to increase, and ought to be diminished. It goes on to look at what have been put forward as potential solutions and explores the extent to which they might offer some respite. Finally, the article concludes that the remedy to the problems involved largely lies in the hands of ministers and their closest advisers, and suggests that it is in all our interests that options to reduce overload should be further explored and implemented.
Transcending Thatcherism? Ideology and the Conservative Party Leadership Mandate of David Cameron
Authors: HEPPELL TIMOTHY , HILL MICHAEL
Published: August 2009

This paper examines the voting motivations of Conservative parliamentarians in the final parliamentary ballot of the Conservative Party leadership election of 2005. By constructing a data set of the voting behaviour of Conservative parliamentarians in the final parliamentary party ballot, and by determining the ideological disposition of the 2005 PCP this paper examines the ideological disposition of the candidates' vis‐à‐vis their electorate. The paper identifies the increasing Thatcherite nature of the PCP across three dominant ideological divides of contemporary British Conservatism‐economic, European, and social, sexual and moral policy. Through such an analysis the paper demonstrates how the modernising David Cameron, who came first in the final parliamentary ballot and then won the membership ballot, transcended the traditional ideological voting motivations of candidates' vis‐à‐vis their electorate. Most significantly, the paper demonstrates that the European ideological policy divide was not a factor in the succession contest, unlike the succession contests of 1990, 1997 and 2001.
Parliament on its Knees: MPs' Expenses and the Crisis of Transparency at Westminster
Authors: KELSO ALEXANDRA
Published: August 2009

In May 2009, revelations made in The Daily Telegraph about the way that MPs had used and abused the House of Commons expenses and allowances regime threw the British political system into turmoil, forced the resignation of the Speaker of the Commons along with a number of implicated MPs, and ignited talk about a crisis in parliamentary democracy and a collapse of public trust in politics. This article explores the events that led to this situation, from the structure of MPs pay and allowance system, the Freedom of Information context that framed the disaster, and the crisis of transparency which the House of Commons has itself precipitated. It argues that, talk of parliamentary reform aside, MPs must radically rethink the way that they approach their representative role and the nature of their broader engagement with the public they claim to serve.
What the House of Lords is Really for?
Authors: LIPSEY DAVID
Published: August 2009

The Lords beats the Commons hands‐down in scrutinising legislation, but it is also a repository of informed opinion to serve the nation. It is, that is, so long as it remains appointed not elected.
Labour's Record on Inequality and the New Opportunities White Paper
Authors: STEWART KITTY
Published: August 2009

In its first years in office, the Labour Government set out a wide‐ranging and ambitious set of policies aimed at reducing poverty, inequality and social exclusion. A decade on, with the party facing probable catastrophic defeat in the next general election, how far can these ambitions be said to have been met? This article summarises the evidence. It also examines the most recent government White Paper on social mobility, New Opportunities: Fair Chances for the Future, published in January 2009, and asks whether this paper represents a serious last attempt to renew the equal opportunities agenda.
The Political Quarterly, 2009 Lecture: Doing Politics Differently
Authors: WRIGHT TONY
Published: August 2009

A discussion of how politics is done in Britain, and how it could be done differently. It explores the relationship between culture and structure in politics, and between strong government and effective accountability. The argument is that the concentration on structures can lead to a neglect of the importance of political culture. It suggests that there are three democratic levels, and that Britain does better on one than on the others; and identifies a range of democratic issues to be tackled. It concludes by suggesting that even without major instrumental changes there are cultural changes that would make a difference to how politics is done in Britain.
Global Imbalances: The Role of Emerging Asia
Authors: Cova Pietro , Pisani Massimiliano , Rebucci Alessandro
Published: August 2009

This paper investigates the role played by emerging Asia in the emergence and evolution of the global trade imbalances. Based on simulations in a general‐equilibrium model of the world economy, we find that a productivity slowdown in the nontradable sector of these economies in the second half of the 1990s fits regional macroeconomic developments relatively well, but has limited spillover effect to the United States trade balance. In contrast, an increase in the desired level of emerging Asia net foreign assets starting in 2001 not only fits regional developments relatively well, but also has a significant spillover effect to the United States.
Disasters, Lessons Learned, and Fantasy Documents
Authors: Birkland Thomas A.
Published: August 2009

This article develops a general theory of why post‐disaster ‘lessons learned’ documents are often ‘fantasy documents’. The article describes the political and organizational barriers to effective learning from disasters, and builds on general theory building on learning from extreme events to explain this phenomenon. Fantasy documents are not generally about the ‘real’ causes and solutions to disasters; rather, they are generated to prove that some authoritative actor has ‘done something’ about a disaster. Because it is difficult to test whether learning happened after an extreme event, these post‐disaster documents are generally ignored after they are published.
Evidence of shared genetic risk factors for migraine and rolandic epilepsy
Authors: Clarke Tara , Baskurt Zeynep , Strug Lisa J. , Pal Deb K.
Published: August 2009

Purpose:  Evidence for a specific association between migraine and rolandic epilepsy (RE) has been conflicting. Children with migraine frequently have electroencephalographic (EEG) abnormalities, including rolandic discharges, and approximately 50% of siblings of patients with RE exhibit rolandic discharges. We assessed migraine risk in RE probands and their siblings.

Methods:  We used cohort and reconstructed cohort designs to respectively assess the relative risk of migraine in 72 children with RE and their 88 siblings using International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD‐2) criteria. Incidences were compared in 150 age and geographically matched nonepilepsy probands and their 188 siblings. We used a Cox proportional hazards model, using age as the time base, adjusting hazard ratios (HRs) for sex in the proband analysis, and for sex and proband migraine status in the sibling analysis.

Results:  Prevalence of migraine in RE probands was 15% versus 7% in nonepilepsy probands, and in siblings of RE probands prevalence was 14% versus 4% in nonepilepsy siblings. The sex‐adjusted HR of migraine for an RE proband was 2.46 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.06–5.70]. The adjusted HR of having ≥1 sibling with migraine in an RE family was 3.35 (95% CI 1.20–9.33), whereas the HR of any one sibling of a RE proband was 2.86 (95% CI 1.10–7.43).

Discussion:  Migraine is strongly comorbid in RE and independently clusters in their siblings. These results suggest shared susceptibility to migraine and RE that is not directly mediated by epileptic seizures. Susceptibility gene variants for RE may be tested as risk factors for migraine.