bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fluid inclusion microthermometry for P–T constraints on normal displacement along the Median Tectonic Line in Northern Besshi area, Southwest Japan
Authors: FUKUNARI TETSUZO , WALLIS SIMON R. , TSUNOGAE TOSHIAKI
Published: October 2011

The Median Tectonic Line (MTL) is a first‐order tectonic boundary that separates the Sanbagawa and Ryoke metamorphic belts. Documented large‐scale top‐to‐the‐north normal displacements along this fault zone have the potential to contribute to the exhumation of the Sanbagawa high‐pressure metamorphic belt. Fluid inclusion analyses of vein material formed associated with secondary faults within the Sanbagawa belt affected by movement on the MTL show normal movement was initially induced under temperatures greater than around 250°C. Microstructures of quartz and K‐feldspar comprising the vein material suggest a deformation temperature of around 300°C, supporting the results of fluid inclusion analyses and suggesting deformation at depths of around 10 km. The retrograde P–T path of the Sanbagawa metamorphic rocks and the estimated isochore of the fluid inclusions do not intersect. The semi‐ductile structures of surrounding rocks and lack of evidence for hydrothermal metamorphism around the veins imply the temperature of the rocks was similar to that of the fluid. These observations suggest fluid pressure of the veins was lower than lithostatic pressure close to the MTL.
Poorer Wisconsin card‐sorting test performance in healthy adults with higher positive and negative schizotypal traits
Authors: Chang Ting Gang , Lee I Hui , Chang Cheng‐Chen , Yang Yen Kuang , Huang Si Sheng , Chen Kao Chin , Wang Chieh Hui , Chang Yun‐Hsuan
Published: October 2011

Non‐clinical schizotypy was found to be related to poorer Wisconsin Card‐Sorting Test (WCST) performance, but the results were inconsistent. Two subgroups, the higher negative–higher positive and the lower negative–lower positive (15 vs 16), were selected from the top and the bottom quartiles of negative and positive scale scores of the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire (SPQ) completed by 177 healthy volunteers, respectively. The higher negative–higher positive SPQ score subgroup had significantly poorer performance regarding the completed categories of WCST than the lower negative–lower positive SPQ score subgroup. Subjects with higher non‐clinical schizotypy trait showed relatively mild cognitive dysfunction.
The use of non‐invasive ventilation for the relief of dyspnoea in exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; a systematic review
Authors: SMITH TRACY A. , DAVIDSON PATRICIA M. , LAM LAWRENCE T. , JENKINS CHRISTINE R. , INGHAM JANE M.
Published: October 2011

Background and objective:  Non‐invasive ventilation (NIV) improves outcomes in patients with acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD); however, the efficacy in relieving dyspnoea is uncertain. The objective of this systematic review was to identify, synthesize and interpret the data regarding the relief of dyspnoea afforded by NIV in patients admitted with acute respiratory failure occurring during AECOPD.

Methods:  Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing usual medical care (UMC) to UMC plus NIV and reporting dyspnoea as a patient‐reported outcome were identified by searching relevant databases and manual searching. The full text of potentially relevant articles was retrieved. Data describing the impact of NIV on dyspnoea was extracted.

Results:  Four RCTs met the review criteria. One found NIV did not relieve dyspnoea. The other three RCTs reported NIV relieving dyspnoea. The degree of dyspnoea relief was clinically significant in two of these three studies. However, in all but one RCT, methodological or reporting limitations constrain the confidence that can be had in this conclusion.

Conclusions:  Limited data exist to determine if NIV relieves subjective dyspnoea in AECOPD. Due to limitations in these studies, it is not possible to definitively conclude if NIV relieves dyspnoea. Standardized reporting and analysis of patient reported outcomes will facilitate objective comparisons of interventions with respect to symptom relief. Future studies involving NIV should routinely incorporate patient reported outcomes in order to answer the important clinical question: ‘Does NIV relieve dyspnoea?’
Effects of oxygen on exertional dyspnoea and exercise performance in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: MIKI KEISUKE , MAEKURA RYOJI , HIRAGA TORU , KITADA SEIGO , MIKI MARI , YOSHIMURA KENJI , TATEISHI YOSHITAKA
Published: October 2011

Background and objective:  The results of studies on the oxygen response in patients with COPD should provide important clues to the pathophysiology of exertional dyspnoea. We investigated the exercise responses to hyperoxia in relation to dyspnoea profile, as well as cardiopulmonary, acidotic and sympathetic parameters in 35 patients with stable COPD (mean FEV1 46% predicted).

Methods:  This was a single‐blind trial, in which patients breathed 24% O2 or compressed air (CA) in random order during two incremental cycle exercise tests.

Results:  PaO2 and PaCO2 were higher (P < 0.0001 and P < 0.05, respectively) at each exercise point while patients were breathing 24% O2 compared with CA. At a standardized time point near peak exercise, use of O2 resulted in reduced plasma lactate and plasma noradrenaline concentrations (P < 0.01). Peak minute ventilation/indirect maximum voluntary ventilation was similar while breathing 24% O2 and CA. At peak exercise, the dyspnoea score, pH and plasma noradrenaline concentrations were similar while breathing 24% O2 and CA. The dyspnoea—ratio (%) of Δoxygen uptake (peak minus resting oxygen uptake) curve reached a break point that occurred at a similar exercise point while breathing 24% O2 or CA.

Conclusions:  Regardless of whether they breathed CA or 24% O2, patients with COPD did not develop ventilatory compensation for exertional acidosis, and the pH values measured were similar. Hyperoxia during a standardized exercise protocol did not alter the pattern of exertional dyspnoea in these patients, compared with breathing CA, although hyperoxia resulted in miscellaneous effects.
The revenge of time: fungal deterioration of cultural heritage with particular reference to books, paper and parchment
Authors: Sterflinger Katja , Pinzari Flavia
Published: October 2011

Hyphomycetous fungi – so called ‘mould’– are the most important agents of biodeterioration in museums, museums' storage rooms, in libraries, collections and restoration studios. Fungi are able to live at low water activities, they are perfectly adapted to indoor environments and thrive in microclimatic niches caused by condensation, lack of ventilation or water retention by hygroscopic materials. Fungi spoil valuable pieces of art aesthetically, mechanically, chemically and by degradation of organic components. Historical material made of paper and oil paintings with high amounts of organic binders are especially susceptible to fungal deterioration. In order to prevent fungal contamination or to treat already contaminated objects an integrated approach including climate control, material‐specific cleaning and application of carefully selected biocides is necessary.
Single‐cell analysis reveals a novel uncultivated magnetotactic bacterium within the candidate division OP3
Authors: Kolinko Sebastian , Jogler Christian , Katzmann Emanuel , Wanner Gerhard , Peplies Jörg , Schüler Dirk
Published: October 2011

Magnetotactic bacteria (MTB) are a diverse group of prokaryotes that orient along magnetic fields using membrane‐coated magnetic nanocrystals of magnetite (Fe3O4) or greigite (Fe3S4), the magnetosomes. Previous phylogenetic analysis of MTB has been limited to few cultivated species and most abundant members of natural populations, which were assigned toProteobacteriaand theNitrospiraephyla. Here, we describe a single cell‐based approach that allowed the targeted phylogenetic and ultrastructural analysis of the magnetotactic bacterium SKK‐01, which was low abundant in sediments of Lake Chiemsee. Morphologically conspicuous single cells of SKK‐01 were micromanipulated from magnetically collected multi‐species MTB populations, which was followed by whole genome amplification and ultrastructural analysis of sorted cells. Besides intracellular sulphur inclusions, the large ovoid cells of SKK‐01 harbour ∼175 bullet‐shaped magnetosomes arranged in multiple chains that consist of magnetite as revealed by TEM and EDX analysis. Sequence analysis of 16 and 23S rRNA genes from amplified genomic DNA as well as fluorescencein situhybridization assigned SKK‐01 to the candidate division OP3, which so far lacks any cultivated representatives. SKK‐01 represents the first morphotype that can be assigned to the OP3 group as well as the first magnetotactic member of the PVC superphylum.
Methanogenesis facilitated by electric syntrophy via (semi)conductive iron‐oxide minerals
Authors: Kato Souichiro , Hashimoto Kazuhito , Watanabe Kazuya
Published: October 2011

Methanogenesis is an essential part of the global carbon cycle and a key bioprocess for sustainable energy. Methanogenesis from organic matter is accomplished by syntrophic interactions among different species of microbes, in which interspecies electron transfer (IET) via diffusive carriers (e.g. hydrogen and formate) is known to be the bottleneck step. We report herein that the supplementation of soil microbes with (semi)conductive iron‐oxide minerals creates unique interspecies interactions and facilitates methanogenesis. Methanogenic microbes were enriched from rice paddy field soil with either acetate or ethanol as a substrate in the absence or presence of (semi)conductive iron oxides (haematite or magnetite). We found that the supplementation with either of these iron oxides resulted in the acceleration of methanogenesis in terms of lag time and production rate, while the supplementation with an insulative iron oxide (ferrihydrite) did not. Clone‐library analyses of 16S rRNA gene fragments PCR‐amplified from the enrichment cultures revealed that the iron‐oxide supplementation stimulated the growth of Geobacter spp. Furthermore, the addition of a specific inhibitor for methanogenesis suppressed the growth of Geobacter spp. These results suggest that Geobacter grew under syntrophic association with methanogens, and IET could occur via electric currents through (semi)conductive iron‐oxide minerals (termed ‘electric syntrophy’). Given the ubiquity of conductive minerals in nature, such energetic interactions may occur widely in soil and sediments and can be used to develop efficient bioenergy processes.
Gender differences in iridocorneal angle morphology: a potential explanation for the female predisposition to primary angle closure glaucoma in dogs
Authors: Tsai Susan , Bentley Ellison , Miller Paul E. , Gomes Filipe E. , Vangyi Chang , Wiese Anne , Almazan Alexandra , Li Huajiang , Conforti Paul , Lee Susan S. , Robinson Michael R.
Published: October 2011

Objective Female dogs have approximately twice the risk of males for developing primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG). The cause of this gender difference is unknown, but one theory proposes that the gender differences in iridocorneal angle morphology are involved in this risk differential.

Procedures Fifty beagles (25 males, 25 females) were included into this study and had normal baseline ophthalmic examinations. Normal dogs were selected so as to avoid any potentially confounding influence of goniodysgenesis. Standardized 20‐MHz high‐resolution ultrasound images of the iridocorneal angle were acquired from one eye of each dog with the scan plane perpendicular to the limbus in the superior temporal quadrant. Images were imported into ImageJ, and the angle opening distance (AOD) and angle recess area (ARA) were measured by a masked observer, and the analysis of variance method was used to compare differences.

Results The mean (±SD) AOD was significantly smaller for female dogs (0.847 ± 0.241 mm) vs. male dogs (1.058 ± 0.322 mm)P‐value = 0.012. The mean (±SD) ARA tended to be smaller for female dogs (0.584 ± 0.278 mm) vs. male dogs (0.748 ± 0.385 mm), but this difference was not significant (P‐value = 0.092).

Conclusions Female dogs have a significantly smaller AOD vs. males. This difference may render the female iridocorneal angle more susceptible to closure and may partially explain the 2:1 female/male predisposition to PACG. Further studies using goniodysgenic dogs are warranted.
Integrative inventory of Bolivia’s lowland anurans reveals hidden diversity
Authors: Jansen Martin , Bloch Rebecca , Schulze Arne , Pfenninger Markus
Published: October 2011

Jansen, M., Bloch, R., Schulze, A. & Pfenninger, M. (2011). Integrative inventory of Bolivia’s lowland anurans reveals hidden diversity. —Zoologica Scripta, 40, 567–583.

We conducted an integrative species inventory and re‐evaluated the taxonomic status of anuran populations from lowland Bolivia that we putatively ordered to 59 a priori species. The analyses of own and published data of mtDNA (16S), bioacoustics, and adult and tadpole morphology, however, revealed a total number of 69 divergent lineages. With the data at hand, the taxonomic assignment of only 27 from 69 lineages (39.1%) to nominal species was supported, the assignment of nine lineages (14.5% of 69) was attributed to incertae sedis, and another 33 divergent lineages (47.8%) could not yet be assigned to any species. Of those lineages, 16 were confirmed as divergent to other species by at least two of the following lines of evidence: high genetic divergence, strong differences in advertisement calls, morphology or ecology. These ‘confirmed genealogical lineages’ are suggested to belong to good species following standards of divergence of the group under study, many of them probably being candidates for formal descriptions. Another 17 lineages were considered as ‘unconfirmed genealogical lineages’ showing significant difference to all other described species only in one line of evidence. Within 6 of our 69 revealed lineages, we detected deep conspecific lineages. Some species in this study showed remarkable intraspecific call variation not congruent with genetic divergence. Our results suggest that many Bolivian anuran species that are assigned to supposedly ‘widespread’ South American species apparently belong to previously unrecognized lineages with supposedly smaller distribution areas. Our data on a regional scale urge for an integrative taxonomic review of these and other widespread lowland Neotropical anuran species, as many of them may actually represent species complexes. However, a complete inventory of Neotropical amphibians apparently is a far more complex challenge than previously thought, and only cooperative, supraregional and cross‐country approaches will reveal the actual amphibian diversity in the Neotropics. We postulate that Bolivia’s lowlands can be assessed as a region joining distinct regional faunal diversity and thus deserve reinforced conservation and research efforts to fulfil its unique situation as climatic and biogeographic transition zone.
Climate Change and Uneven Development*
Authors: Bretschger Lucas , Valente Simone
Published: October 2011

In this paper, using a theoretical model with endogenous capital depreciation, we study the effects of climate change and adaptation on long‐run development. We show that climate change affects economic growth depending on climate exposure and adaptation efficiency, which are asymmetric between different countries. Poor countries are likely to be hurt more, because of the negative effects of climate change on the rate of depreciation of the assets that represent the engine of growth. These asymmetries generally induce growth deficits and unsustainability traps in less‐developed economies.
Rural Citizens' Rights to Accessible Health Services: An Exploration
Authors: Farmer Jane , Nimegeer Amy , Farrington John H. , Rodger Gaener
Published: October 2011

Rural citizens protest about changes in their model of local health services provision, appealing to a concept of social justice for equivalence of accessibility to services. This article explores the areas where citizens perceive deficits in social justice regarding services and the extent to which their appeals might have support in law and government guidance. The article explores how asymmetric philosophies of resource allocation and interpretations of inclusion in decision‐making process may underlie protest and concludes that, while policy rhetoric ignores constraints on citizen roles and choices in service design, protest will continue, as it is a manifestation of rural citizens' frustration.
An intravenous insulin protocol for strict glycemic control in acute ischaemic stroke
Authors: Ntaios G. , Egli M. , Arsovska A. , Joye D. , Bettex Y. , Lauber E. , Eskandari A. , D`Ambrogio S. , Richoz B. , Ruiz J. , Michel P.
Published: October 2011

Background and purpose:  There is a J‐shaped association between admission glycemia and outcome. We designed an intravenous insulin protocol aiming at rapid and strict glucose control in hyperglycemic ischaemic stroke patients. Here, we describe the initial experience, safety, and efficacy of this protocol to achieve and maintain euglycemia in the first 48 h.

Methods:  The protocol is based on parallel scales for adjustment of insulin infusion rate according to current glycemia and the rate of change of glycemia, which was recommended in our stroke unit in 4/2007 in acute ischaemic stroke patients with glycemia > 6 mM. Data were registered in the Acute Stroke Registry and Analysis of Lausanne (ASTRAL). Capillary blood glycemia was measured hourly with fingerprick test at onset of treatment and after each scale change. Target glycemia was 4.0–6.0 mM pre‐prandially (5.5–8.0 mM post‐prandially). Hypokalemia was defined as serum potassium < 3.5 mM and measured every 12 h. Specific algorithms were employed during meals and for patients leaving temporarily the stroke unit for diagnostic or therapeutic workup.

Results:  In the 90 protocol patients, the first normoglycemia was achieved within 8 h of treatment in 91.1% of patients (median interval 4 h (interquartile range (IQR): 3–6). During the median treatment duration of 25.5 h (IQR: 19.7–37.7), median glucose reduction was 2.5 mM (IQR: 1.3–4.3 mM). The overall rate of hypoglycemias was 4.5% and hypokalemias 18.5%. There was a significant increase in the proportion of hypokalemias on the first on‐treatment measurement compared to admission (24.4% vs. 8.9%, P = 0.002).

Conclusions:  The proposed intravenous insulin protocol controls acute post‐stroke hyperglycemia but frequently leads to hypokalemia. This issue needs to be addressed for the protocol to be suitable for use in larger, randomized controlled trial to explore its clinical effect.
The relationship between self‐reported executive performance and psychological characteristics in multiple sclerosis
Authors: van der Hiele K. , Spliethoff‐Kamminga N. G. A. , Ruimschotel R. P. , Middelkoop H. A. M. , Visser L. H.
Published: October 2011

Background and purpose:  Self‐reports of cognitive functioning are not always related to objective measures. We examined psychological characteristics of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) who underestimate, overestimate or accurately estimate their executive performance.

Methods:  The first phase was an inventory of cognitive complaints by means of self‐reported (and partner‐reported) questionnaires. At the second phase (January–October 2009), 114 of the 128 participants met the inclusion and exclusion criteria and underwent cognitive and neurological assessments.

Results:  A total of 19% (N = 22) of participants reported subjective executive impairment, whilst 81% (N = 92) reported no subjective executive impairment. Based on Behavioural Assessment of the Dysexecutive Syndrome–Dysexecutive Questionnaire self‐reports, 67% (N = 76) of the participants accurately reported no subjective executive impairment, 14% (N = 16) overestimated, and 15% underestimated (N = 17) their executive performance; 78% of the informants accurately reported no subjective executive impairment, 15% overestimated the patient’s executive performance, and 4% underestimated the patient’s executive performance. Patients with MS underestimating their executive performance were characterized by more depression (F(2,106 = 12.9, P < 0.001), anxiety (F2,105 = 7.4, P = 0.001) and psychosocial stress (F2,103 = 17.8, P < 0.001), more often used the coping style ‘disclosure of emotions’ (H2 = 12.1, P = 0.002) than accurate estimators and overestimators and displayed a more passive reaction pattern (F2,104 = 4.4, P = 0.014) than accurate estimators.

Conclusions:  Self‐reports of executive performance are generally reliable, but 29% of patients with MS underestimated or overestimated their abilities. It is especially important to identify underestimators as they display underlying psychological problems and dysfunctional coping styles in need of further psychological treatment. Informants are valuable in this respect, but should not be seen as the ‘gold standard’ to identify cognitive impairment.
The effects of vault drainage on postoperative morbidity after vaginal hysterectomy for benign gynaecological disease: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Dua A , Galimberti A , Subramaniam M , Popli G , Radley S
Published: October 2011

Please cite this paper as: Dua A, Galimberti A, Subramaniam M, Popli G, Radley S. The effects of vault drainage on postoperative morbidity after vaginal hysterectomy for benign gynaecological disease: a randomised controlled trial. BJOG 2011; DOI: 10.1111/j.1471‐0528.2011.03170.x.

Objective  To evaluate the efficacy of vault drainage in reducing the immediate postoperative morbidity associated with vaginal hysterectomy carried out for benign gynaecological conditions.

Design  Randomised controlled trial.

Setting  A tertiary referral gynaecology centre in UK.

Population  A total of 272 women who underwent vaginal hysterectomy for benign conditions between March 2005 and June 2010.

Methods  The 272 women were randomised to have a drain inserted or not inserted, ‘drain’ or ‘no drain’, respectively, before vault closure during vaginal hysterectomy, using a sealed envelope technique. The surgical procedures were performed using the surgeons’ standard technique and postoperative care was delivered according to the unit’s protocol.

Main outcome measures  The primary outcome measure was reduction in postoperative febrile morbidity. Secondary outcome measures were hospital readmission rate, blood transfusion, change in postoperative haemoglobin and length of stay.

Results  In all, 135 women were randomised to have a drain and 137 to ‘no drain’. There were no differences in the incidence of febrile morbidity, length of stay, change in haemoglobin or need for postoperative blood transfusion between the two groups.

Conclusions  The routine use of vault drain at vaginal hysterectomy for benign disorders has no significant effect on postoperative morbidity. The use of vault drain in this context is not recommended.
Phase II clinical evaluation of lomustine chemotherapy for feline vaccine‐associated sarcoma
Authors: Saba C. F. , Vail D. M. , Thamm D. H.
Published: October 2011

Treatment of feline vaccine‐associated sarcoma (VAS) is challenging, in part due to the high likelihood of tumour recurrence despite aggressive local therapy. Lomustine is potentially an attractive agent to add to the current treatment armamentarium. In this de‐escalating phase I/II prospective trial, 28 cats with measurable VAS were treated at target dosages of 38–60 mg m−2every 3 weeks until disease progression. The overall response rate was 25%, with a median progression‐free survival and median duration of response of 60.5 and 82.5 days, respectively. Haematologic toxicity, specifically cumulative neutropenia, was significant, and dose reductions and treatment delays were common. Although these data support further investigation of lomustine for the treatment of VAS, safe, multidosing protocols must first be determined.
Multilinguality, Multimodality, and Multicompetence: Code‐ and Modeswitching by Minority Ethnic Children in Complementary Schools
Authors: WEI LI
Published: October 2011

This article examines the multilingual and multimodal practices of British Chinese children in complementary school classes from a multicompetence perspective. Using classroom interaction data from a number of Chinese complementary schools in 3 different cities in England, the article argues that the multicompetence perspective enables a holistic look at codeswitching and modeswitching by multilingual children of minority ethnic background and helps to highlight creativity and criticality—2 important and closely related concepts that have hitherto been underexplored in multilingualism research.
Assessing Multilingual Competencies: Adopting Construct Valid Assessment Policies
Authors: SHOHAMY ELANA
Published: October 2011

All assessment policies and practices are based on monolingual constructs whereby test‐takers are expected to demonstrate their language proficiency in one language at a time. Thus, the construct underlying these assessment approaches and/or scales (e.g., the CEFR) is of language as a closed and finite system that does not enable other languages to “smuggle in.” This view is in stark contrast to the current understanding of multilingual competencies for which various languages and aspects “bleed” into one another in creative ways as manifested by a growing number of users, especially immigrants, who are born into one language and acquire additional language(s), resulting in multilingual competencies. This is manifested in codeswitching and in the simultaneous use of different language functions (e.g., reading in one and speaking in another in the process of academic functioning). Yet, this multilingual functioning receives no attention in language testing practices. Further, multilingual users who rarely reach language proficiency in each of the languages that is identical to that of their monolingual counterparts are always being compared to them and thus receive lower scores. Consequently, they are penalized for their multilingual competencies, sending a message that multilingual knowledge is a liability. Given the current policies of cultivating multilingualism in schools and societies as expressed in the articles in this special issue, I critique the current monolingual assessment approaches within a political and social context. I argue that these approaches are rooted in nation‐state ideologies that are still attempting to promote national collective agendas of “wishful thinking” and ignore the reality of how languages are being used. This is followed by empirical data pointing to the cost of the continued use of monolingual tests for individual students, especially those who are bilingual, as is the case with immigrants. All of these will lead to initial proposals and examples for the adoption of different types of multilingual testing and assessment policies and practices in various contexts. These approaches, I argue, are more construct valid, as they enable the manifestation of fuller knowledge in integrated ways, thus highlighting the advantages, rather than the problems, that multilingual users possess.
Social Welfare as Small‐Scale Help: Evolutionary Psychology and the Deservingness Heuristic
Authors: Petersen Michael Bang
Published: October 2011

Public opinion concerning social welfare is largely driven by perceptions of recipient deservingness. Extant research has argued that this heuristic is learned from a variety of cultural, institutional, and ideological sources. The present article provides evidence supporting a different view: that the deservingness heuristic is rooted in psychological categories that evolved over the course of human evolution to regulate small‐scale exchanges of help. To test predictions made on the basis of this view, a method designed to measure social categorization is embedded in nationally representative surveys conducted in different countries. Across the national‐ and individual‐level differences that extant research has used to explain the heuristic, people categorize welfare recipients on the basis of whether they are lazy or unlucky. This mode of categorization furthermore induces people to think about large‐scale welfare politics as its presumed ancestral equivalent: small‐scale help giving. The general implications for research on heuristics are discussed.
Do We Choose Our Spouse Based on Our In‐Laws? Resolving the Effects of Family Background and Spousal Choice for Educational Attainment, Religious Practice, and Political Preference
Authors: Eaves Lindon J. , Hatemi Peter K.
Published: October 2011

Objectives

Contemporary scholarly debate emphasizes the importance of spouse selection on population stratification, typically focusing on the traits of spouses themselves. In this study spouses and their parents were analyzed to resolve the effects of direct spousal assortment from family background assortment on three social traits that spouses correlate the highest: education, church attendance, and political affiliation.

Methods

The data set is comprised of a core of spousal pairs and their parents assessed by self‐report and a more extensive set of individuals on whom there are only ratings by relatives for educational attainment, church attendance, and political preference. Structural equation models were fitted to the observed polychoric correlations by diagonal weighted least squares.

Results

For education and church attendance, assortment was based primarily on the traits of the spouses themselves, but models including independent assortment for the traits of parents‐in‐law gave a better fit. For political affiliation, assortment based on social background influenced by the traits of both parents gave a better fit.

Conclusions

The findings demonstrate that in humans, spousal similarity may reflect processes of selection and stratification that are more complex than commonly supposed in most models for family resemblance and social diversity.
Making Sense of the Sacred
Authors: Gibson Kevin
Published: October 2011

In this note I examine the concept of sacred values. Some commentators have recommended avoiding the question or postponing negotiations until other issues have been settled, whereas others have suggested that few sacred values cannot be rendered into some form of trade‐off (i.e., they are pseudosacred). Here, I follow Scott Atran and Robert Axelrod and argue that ritual and the sacred can be an important component of negotiation and, when addressed effectively, have great potential to break impasse.

I first examine the notion of the sacred and its near synonyms, the priceless and the intrinsically valuable. I then look at the issue of valuing life and show that although society places limits on lives as a matter of policy, it paradoxically funds heroic acts, such as mine rescues, which defy economic justification. These acts turn out to fulfill an important symbolic and ritualistic function. Finally, I draw out three implications of the framework for negotiators: negotiators should engage in some form of values clarification among the parties, material compromise by one party does not necessarily indicate that that party's values were not ultimate or that these have been relinquished, and considerable weight should be placed on ritualistic and symbolic gestures with regard to values.
Cardiomyogenic differentiation‐independent improvement of cardiac function by human cardiomyocyte progenitor cell injection in ischaemic mouse hearts
Authors: den Haan Melina C. , Grauss Robert W. , Smits Anke M. , Winter Elizabeth M. , van Tuyn John , Pijnappels Daniël A. , Steendijk Paul , Gittenberger‐De Groot Adriana C. , van der Laarse Arnoud , Fibbe Willem E. , de Vries Antoine A. F. , Schalij Martin J. , Doevendans Pieter A. , Goumans Marie‐José , Atsma Douwe E.
Published: October 2011

We previously showed that human cardiomyocyte progenitor cells (hCMPCs) injected after myocardial infarction (MI) had differentiated into cardiomyocytes in vivo 3 months after MI. Here, we investigated the short‐term (2 weeks) effects of hCMPCs on the infarcted mouse myocardium. MI was induced in immunocompromised (NOD/scid) mice, immediately followed by intramyocardial injection of hCMPCs labelled with enhanced green fluorescent protein (hCMPC group) or vehicle only (control group). Sham‐operated mice served as reference. Cardiac performance was measured 2 and 14 days after MI by magnetic resonance imaging at 9.4 T. Left ventricular (LV) pressure–volume measurements were performed at day 15 followed by extensive immunohistological analysis. Animals injected with hCMPCs demonstrated a higher LV ejection fraction, lower LV end‐systolic volume and smaller relaxation time constant than control animals 14 days after MI. hCMPCs engrafted in the infarcted myocardium, did not differentiate into cardiomyocytes, but increased vascular density and proliferation rate in the infarcted and border zone area of the hCMPC group. Injected hCMPCs engraft into murine infarcted myocardium where they improve LV systolic function and attenuate the ventricular remodelling process 2 weeks after MI. Since no cardiac differentiation of hCMPCs was evident after 2 weeks, the observed beneficial effects were most likely mediated by paracrine factors, targeting amongst others vascular homeostasis. These results demonstrate that hCMPCs can be applied to repair infarcted myocardium without the need to undergo differentiation into cardiomyocytes.
A meta‐analysis of executive dysfunctions in unipolar major depressive disorder without psychotic symptoms and their changes during antidepressant treatment
Authors: Wagner S. , Doering B. , Helmreich I. , Lieb K. , Tadić A.
Published: October 2011

Wagner S, Doering B, Helmreich I, Lieb K, Tadić A. A meta‐analysis of executive dysfunctions in unipolar major depressive disorder without psychotic symptoms and their changes during antidepressant treatment.

Objective:  Empirical evidence supports the existence of significant executive deficits in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) as compared to non‐depressed controls. Nevertheless, the effect size of executive dysfunctions in unipolar, non‐psychotic MDD as well as their relationship to antidepressant treatment is ambiguous.

Method:  Meta‐analytic methods were used to assess the severity of executive dysfunctions in unipolar, non‐psychotic MDD as compared to healthy controls and to investigate their course during antidepressant treatment.

Results:  Fifteen studies comparing the executive functions of 375 patients with DSM‐IV MDD and 481 healthy controls were analysed. Furthermore, in three studies, including 122 patients with MDD, the Stroop test performance was examined before and after antidepressant treatment. Patients with MDD performed 0.439 up to 1.18 (P < 0.0001) standard mean differences worse than healthy controls. The Stroop performance improved during the course of treatment (P = 0.0001).

Conclusion:  We revealed significant executive dysfunctions in patients with unipolar, non‐psychotic MDD compared with healthy controls and an improvement of the Stroop performance during the course of treatment. Future studies with different test procedures are needed to further investigate the influence of antidepressant treatment on executive functions.
The use of a porcine intestinal cell model system for evaluating the food safety risk of Bacillus cereus probiotics and the implications for assessing enterotoxigenicity
Authors: TRAPECAR MARTIN , LEOUFFRE THOMAS , FAURE MORGANE , JENSEN HENRIK E , GRANUM PER E , CENCIC AVRELIJA , HARDY SIMON P
Published: October 2011

Trapecar M, Leouffre T, Faure M, Jensen HE, Granum PE, Cencic A, Hardy SP. The use of a porcine intestinal cell model system for evaluating the food safety risk of Bacillus cereus probiotics and the implications for assessing enterotoxigenicity. APMIS 2011; 119: 877–84.

The use of porcine intestinal cell lines in assessing toxicity of Bacillus cereus probiotics in conjunction with animal challenge trials with toxigenic B. cereus was investigated. Toxigenic and toxin deletion mutants of B. cereus and two probiotic strains (Paciflor and Toyocerin) were examined for bacterial attachment, cytotoxicity and ability to induce nitric oxide as markers of toxicity. Both cytotoxicity and production of nitric oxide were detected in wild‐type toxigenic strains and the Paciflor probiotic strain but not Toyocerin. Attachment of B. cereus was low (less than 1%) in all strains. Discrimination between toxigenic B. cereus and the probiotic strains was possible semi‐quantitatively via dilution. Despite cytotoxicity in vitro, challenge experiments using 108–109 spores of the toxigenic B. cereus NVH75/95 in weaned piglets did not induce diarrhoea or intestinal lesions. Thus, the pig small intestinal epithelial intestinal cell line PSI is appropriate for identification of potential toxicity in B. cereus strains and sets a low threshold for risk of enterotoxicity to humans.
Evidence for Sequential Action of Rab5 and Rab7 GTPases in Prevacuolar Organelle Partitioning
Authors: Bottanelli Francesca , Gershlick David C. , Denecke Jürgen
Published: October 2011

GTPases of the Rab5 and Rab7 families were shown to control vacuolar sorting but their specific subcellular localization is controversial in plants. Here, we show that both the canonical as well as the plant‐specific Rab5 reside at the newly discovered ‘late prevacuolar compartment’ (LPVC) while Rab7 partitions to the vacuolar membrane when expressed at low levels. Higher expression levels of wild‐type Rab5 GTPases but not Rab7 lead to dose‐dependent inhibition of biosynthetic vacuolar transport. In the case of Ara6, this included aberrant co‐localization with markers for earlier post‐Golgi compartments including the trans‐Golgi network. However, nucleotide‐free mutants of all three GTPases (Rha1, Ara6 and Rab7) cause stronger dose‐dependent inhibition of vacuolar sorting. In addition, nucleotide‐free Rha1 led to a later maturation defect and co‐localization of markers for the prevacuolar compartment (PVC) and the LPVC. The corresponding Rab7 mutant strongly inhibited vacuolar delivery without merging of PVC and LPVC markers. Evidence for functional differentiation of the Rab5 family members is underlined by the fact that mutant Rha1 expression can be suppressed by increasing wild‐type Rha1 levels while mutant Ara6 specifically titrates the nucleotide exchange factor Vps9. A model describing the sequential action of Rab5 and Rab7 GTPases is presented in the light of the current observations.
Association of CHRNA4 polymorphism with depression and loneliness in elderly males
Authors: Tsai S.‐J. , Yeh H.‐L. , Hong C.‐J. , Liou Y.‐J. , Yang A. C. , Liu M.‐E. , Hwang J.‐P.
Published: October 2011

The cholinergic receptor, nicotinic, alpha 4 (CHRNA4) gene encodes the neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor alpha‐4 subunit. Recent research has shown that a variation in CHRNA4 (rs1044396) affects attention and negative emotionality in normal adults. To determine the link between CHRNA4 variation and cognitive function/depressed mood, this study conducted a genotype–phenotype correlation analysis between the common CHRNA4:rs1044396 variant and several baseline parameters of cognition and depressed mood in 192 elderly male subjects without major psychiatric disorders or dementia. Study findings identified a significant link between the CHRNA4:rs1044396 polymorphism and depression and loneliness in the aged. Compared to carriers of at least one T‐allele, carriers of the homozygous C/C genotype described themselves as more depressed and lonely. This is the first evidence which may implicate CHRNA4 in depressed emotions in the elderly.
The mate choice brain: comparing gene profiles between female choice and male coercive poeciliids
Authors: Lynch K. S. , Ramsey M. E. , Cummings M. E.
Published: October 2011

Genes that mediate mate preferences potentially play a key role in promoting and maintaining biological diversity. In this study, we compare mate preference behavior in two related poeciliid fishes with contrasting behavioral phenotypes and relate these behavioral differences to gene profiles in the brain. Results reveal that one poeciliid fish, the Northern swordtail, exhibits robust mate preference as compared to the Western mosquitofish, which utilizes a coercive mating system. Female swordtails display no significant difference in association time between male‐ and female‐exposure trials, whereas female mosquitofish spend significantly less time associating with males relative to females. Furthermore, the preference strength for large males is significantly lower in female mosquitofish relative to swordtails. We then examine expression of three candidate genes previously shown to be associated with mate preference behavior in female swordtails and linked to neural plasticity in other vertebrates: neuroserpin (NS), neuroligin‐3 (NLG‐3) and N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptor (NMDA‐R). Whole brain gene expression patterns reveal that two genes (NS and NLG‐3) are positively associated with mate preference behavior in female swordtails, a pattern opposing that of the mosquitofish. In mosquitofish females, these genes are downregulated when females express biases toward males yet are elevated in association with total motor activity patterns under asocial conditions, suggesting that the presence of males in mosquitofish species may inhibit expression of these genes. Both gene expression and female behavioral responses to males exhibit opposing patterns between these species, suggesting that this genetic pathway may potentially act as a substrate for the evolution of mate preference behavior.
Prospective 10‐Year Cohort Study Based on a Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) on Implant‐Supported Full‐Arch Maxillary Prostheses. Part 1: Sandblasted and Acid‐Etched Implants and Mucosal Tissue
Authors: Fischer Kerstin , Stenberg Torsten
Published: October 2011

Background:There have been very few long‐term controlled studies (i.e., over 5 years duration) focusing on marginal conditions for implants with a sandblasted, large grit, and acid‐etched (SLA) surface.

Purpose:To evaluate and report 10‐year data on outcomes of implants with an SLA surface placed in the edentulous maxilla.

Materials and Methods:In a randomized controlled trial (RCT) cohort of 24 patients, the outcomes of implants with an SLA surface were registered. The RCT cohort has previously been reported after 1 year, 3 years, and 5 years of loading.

Results:One patient dropped out of the study prior to the 10‐year control. Of the 23 remaining patients, the implant survival rate was 95.1%. If implants of unknown status were also considered lost, that is, one drop‐out patient with three implants for whom no information could be obtained, the implant survival rate was 93%. The mean marginal bone loss from baseline (139 implants) to 10 years (102 implants) was 1.07 mm (standard deviation 0.98). One implant out of 102 available for radiographic examination according to the original protocol showed a bone loss exceeding 4 mm. Of the 84 implants available for clinical examination, none showed a Plaque Index or sulcus bleeding index of 3. The mean implant stability quotient was significantly higher for mesial–distal versus buccal–palatal measurements.

Conclusion:The implant survival was 95.1%. The mean value of bone loss after 10 years was 1.07 mm. Peri‐implantitis were noted at the 5‐year follow‐up for one patient with a previous history of periodontitis; this patient did not attend the 10‐year follow‐up. This study shows that sandblasted and acid‐etched implants offers predictable long‐term results as support for full‐arch maxillary prostheses.
The W‐ and Z‐linked EE0.6 sequences used for molecular sexing of captive Japanese crested ibis on Sado Island
Authors: KASUGA Kaori , HIGASHI Maho , YAMADA Takahisa , SUGIYAMA Toshie , TANIGUCHI Yukio , IWAISAKI Hiroaki , HOMMA Kosuke , WAJIKI Yuuichi , KANEKO Yoshinori , YAMAGISHI Satoshi
Published: October 2011

The Japanese crested ibis Nipponia nippon is a critically threatened bird. Accurate sexing is necessary to perform effective management of captive breeding toward a national project for a tentative release of the Japanese crested ibis on Sado Island. A PCR‐based sexing method targeting a 0.6 kb EcoRI fragment (EE0.6) sequence on W chromosome with AWS03 and USP3 primers has been developed for the Japanese crested ibis. However, the primers were selected from the EE0.6 sequences from bird species other than the Japanese crested ibis. In this study, we determined the W‐ and Z‐linked EE0.6 sequences in the Japanese crested ibis, and clarified Japanese crested ibis sequence mismatch in the binding sites of the primers. Further, we found no polymorphism in the primer binding sites among five founder birds for the Sado captive Japanese crested ibis population. These findings validated the PCR‐based sexing method with the AWS03 and USP3 as accurate molecular sexing methods of captive Japanese crested ibis on the Sado Island. Additionally, we designed a primer set for a novel PCR‐based sexing, based on the EE0.6 sequences obtained in this study. This novel sexing method may be useful for future ecological research following the release of Japanese crested ibis on Sado Island. This is the first report to show the EE0.6 sequences in Japanese crested ibis.
Association of BoLA‐DRB3 alleles with mastitis resistance and susceptibility in Japanese Holstein cows
Authors: YOSHIDA Tatsuyuki , FURUTA Hiroki , KONDO Yasuko , MUKOYAMA Harutaka
Published: October 2011

In this study, 714 cows from 26 dairy herds were reclassified as healthy or mastitic cows on the basis of long‐term somatic cell count (SCC) in milk. Cows with more than three consecutive lactation records of SCC from the first or second to fifth lactation, were selected, and their BoLA‐DRB3 (DRB3) alleles were identified using polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR‐RFLP) method. Cows with an SCC of < 200 000 cells/mL in all monthly records were classified as healthy (n = 91). Cows with an SCC of > 300 000 cells/mL in two consecutive tests or four non‐consecutive tests or cows with an SCC of > 500 000 cells/mL in any one test during lactation, regardless of parity, were classified as mastitic (n = 201). Mastitic cows (n = 153) from another 40 herds were considered to be infected if bacteriological testing revealed mastitis pathogens in milk. Their DRB3 alleles were identified using PCR‐sequence‐based typing (PCR‐SBT). The differences in DRB3 allelic frequencies between healthy cows and cows with various degrees of mastitis were re‐investigated. Moreover, the associations of various amino acid motifs in DRB3 alleles with resistance or susceptibility to mastitis pathogens were re‐examined. DRB3.2*8(DRB3*1201) and DRB3.2*16(DRB3*1501) alleles were found to be associated with susceptibility, while DRB3.2*22(DRB3*1101), DRB3.2*23(DRB3*2703), and DRB3.2*24(DRB3*0101) alleles were found to be associated with resistance.