bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Self‐perception in overweight and obese children: a cross‐sectional study
Authors: McCullough N. , Muldoon O. , Dempster M.
Published: January 2009

Aim  The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between obesity and self‐esteem in children in relation to specific domains of their self‐perception, and further to explore the extent to which this may vary by gender and economic circumstances.

Method  A total of 211 children aged 8–9 years drawn from both advantaged and disadvantaged areas of Belfast completed the Harter Self‐Perception Profile for Children and measures of body mass index were obtained.

Results  Overweight, impoverished children had significantly reduced social acceptance and physical competence scores. Boys had significantly lower scores than girls in the behavioural conduct domain. Girls had significantly lower scores than boys for the athletic competence.

Conclusion  These results suggest that risk factors of increased weight and impoverished backgrounds have a combined negative effect, placing some children at increased risk of having lower self‐perceptions in some, but not all domains. Health interventions for childhood obesity should consider the likelihood of specific relationships between physical and psychosocial factors.
Parenting knowledge and its role in the prediction of dysfunctional parenting and disruptive child behaviour
Authors: Morawska A. , Winter L. , Sanders M. R.
Published: January 2009

Background  There is a paucity of research on the relationship between parental knowledge, parenting and parenting self‐efficacy, and some inconsistencies have been reported in the literature.

Method  Parent knowledge of effective parenting strategies was assessed among 68 parents from a non‐clinic sample, who also completed questionnaires relating to parenting confidence, quality of parenting and child behaviour.

Results  Parents with greater knowledge tended to be less dysfunctional, and reported significantly higher education and income levels. Parenting confidence explained a significant proportion of the variance in reported frequency of disruptive child behaviour while knowledge did not independently contribute to the prediction. However, the relationship between parenting confidence and dysfunctional parenting was moderated by the level of knowledge. There was a stronger negative relationship between confidence and dysfunctional parenting when knowledge level was low than when it was high. Post hoc analyses indicated that the relationship between parenting knowledge and disruptive child behaviour was moderated by the level of parenting dysfunction. Parenting knowledge and reported frequency of disruptive behaviour were positively related when the level of dysfunction was low, but were unrelated when it was high.

Conclusions  Parents with low levels of knowledge and confidence in their parenting may be at greater risk of dysfunctional parenting and might benefit from interventions designed to enhance both knowledge and confidence. Results are interpreted in relation to inconsistencies with previous research and implications for future methodologies.
Geographic variation in prey preference in bark beetle predators
Authors: REEVE JOHN D. , STROM BRIAN L. , RIESKE LYNNE K. , AYRES BRUCE D. , COSTA ARNAUD
Published: January 2009

Abstract1. Bark beetles and their predators are useful systems for addressing questions concerning diet breadth and prey preference in arthropod natural enemies. These predators use bark beetle pheromones to locate their prey, and the response to different pheromones is a measure of prey preference.

2. Trapping experiments were conducted to examine geographic variation in the response to prey pheromones by two bark beetle predators,Thanasimus dubiusandTemnochila virescens.The experiments used pheromones for severalDendroctonusandIpsprey species (frontalin, ipsdienol, and ipsenol) and manipulated visual cues involved in prey location (black vs. white traps). The study sites included regions where the frontalin‐emitterDendroctonus frontaliswas in outbreak vs. endemic or absent.

3. There was significant geographic variation in pheromone preference forT. dubius.This predator strongly preferred a pheromone (frontalin) associated withD. frontalisat outbreak sites, while preference was more even at endemic and absent sites. No geographic variation was found in the response byT. virescens.White traps caught fewer insects than black traps for both predators, suggesting that visual cues are also important in prey location.

4. The overall pattern forT. dubiusis consistent with switching or optimal foraging theory, assumingD. frontalisis a higher quality prey thanIps.The two predator species partition the prey pheromones in areas whereD. frontalisis abundant, possibly to minimise competition and intraguild predation.
ARISE: a classification tool for Alpine RIver and Stream Ecosystems
Authors: BROWN LEE E. , HANNAH DAVID M. , MILNER ALEXANDER M.
Published: January 2009

1. Alpine river basins are dynamic and heterogeneous environments both hydrologically and biologically. However, classification approaches that identify structure and patterns in alpine river ecosystems are not well developed or evaluated compared with methods for streams at lower altitude.

2. We undertook field validation of the novel Alpine RIver and Stream Ecosystem classification (ARISE) approach, using data collected from three streams in the French Pyrénées. Specifically, we evaluated the potential of ARISE to differentiate physicochemical habitat and benthic macroinvertebrate communities between sites in space and time.

3. Using quantitative water source contributions to classify samples, ARISE differentiated streams with contrasting electrical conductivity, water temperature and channel stability. Significant differences were identified between ARISE classifications for selected benthic macroinvertebrate community level descriptors (taxonomic richness, beta diversity, total abundance) and for some individual species.

4. Although ARISE needs to be validated further for other alpine river systems, our results indicate its potential in providing a more objective, quantitative basis to underpin management of alpine stream ecosystems.
Identification of the gene encoding pro‐phenoloxidase A3 in the fruitfly, Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Asano T. , Takebuchi K.
Published: January 2009

The fruitfly, Drosophila melanogaster, has three proPO genes (DoxA1, CG8193 and CG2952). DoxA1 has been shown to encode proPO A1, one of the two proPO isoforms (A1 and A3). However, which of CG8193 or CG2952 encodes proPO A3 has so far remained elusive. In Northern analysis, CG8193 expression was strong during the larval stage, yet expression of CG2952 was not detected at any stage. Immunoblot analyses with specific antibodies detected CG8193 in the larval hemolymph at the mobility of the endogenous proPO A3, though no signal for CG2952. These results indicate that the expression of CG2952 is very low and that CG8193 is the gene that encodes proPO A3. Processing of A1 and A3 isoforms in adult homogenate and activity of recombinant proPOs were also investigated.
In vitroandin vivoapproaches to the characterization of the α2‐adrenoceptor
Authors: Hudson A. L. , Robinson E. S. J. , Lalies M. D. , Tyacke R. J. , Jackson H. C. , Nutt D. J.
Published: January 2009

1In order to more fully understand the role of the α2‐adrenoceptor in brain function, a combination ofin vitroandin vivotechniques were utilized including radioligand binding, autoradiography, brain microdialysis and antisense oligonucleotides.

2Binding studies showed the tritiated form of the selective α2‐adrenoceptor antagonist, RX821002 (methoxy‐idazoxan) labelled an apparent single population of sites in rat brain membranes with high affinity (1 nM), for which prazosin had low affinity (1107 nM). Similar studies in rabbit brain membranes found that prazosin and oxymetazoline were able to displace. [3H]‐RX821002 in a biphasic manner indicating the presence of subtypes of α2‐adrenoceptors.

3Receptor autoradiography revealed a distribution of [3H]‐RX821002 binding in rat brain consistent with the labelling of all %aL2‐adrenoceptor subtypes, namely α2A/D‐, α2Band α2C.

4In rat,in vivobrain dialysis experiments demonstrated peripherally administered RX821002 elevated basal noradrenaline in frontal cortex and also, although to a lesser extent, in ventral hippocampus. RX821002 was also able to elevate extracellular dopamine in the striatum.

5A 7‐day i.c.v. infusion of an antisense oligonucleotide targeting the α2A/D‐adrenoceptor, resulted in a significant reduction in the autoradiographic density of [3H]‐RX821002 binding in specific brain areas, notably the lateral septal nuclei and anterior hypothalamic area.

6Several years of research by our group has extended our knowledge of the pharmacology and function of the α2‐adrenoceptor and has provided evidence of the roles of this receptor in the control of monoamine turnover. The successful use of antisense technology to knockdown expression of the α2A/Dsubtype provides future opportunities to explore the physiology of this receptor subtype.
Diabetes mellitus impairs CD133+ progenitor cell function after myocardial infarction
Authors: Vöö S. , Dunaeva M. , Eggermann J. , Stadler N. , Waltenberger J.
Published: January 2009

Background.  Circulating progenitor cells (PC) can positively influence the healing of ischaemic myocardium. Cardiovascular risk factors including diabetes mellitus (DM) may have a negative influence on both number and recruitment of PC. Recent evidence suggests that less differentiated CD133+PC contribute to myocardial healing and are promising candidates for therapy. Therefore, we investigated whether DM affects CD133+PC.

Methods.  CD133+PC were analyzed in patients following acute myocardial infarction and successful reperfusion [acute myocardial infarction (AMI, n = 45) with/without non‐insulin‐requiring type 2 DM (T2DM)]. Stable coronary artery disease patients (CAD, n = 45) served as stable controls. Number and phenotype of CD133+PC were assessed by flow cytometry. CD133+PC chemotaxis was assessed towards vascular endothelial growth factor, an angiogenic stimulus upregulated in AMI. The expression of anti‐oxidant enzymes in CD133+PC was detected by reverse‐transcriptase PCR.

Results.  In non‐DM patients, the number of CD133+PC increased on day 3 following AMI (P = 0.0001). In contrast, no changes were observed in AMI patients with T2DM. Regarding the function of CD133+PC, an enhanced chemotactic response was observed following AMI in both non‐DM (P = 0.0001) and T2DM (P = 0.007). However, the AMI‐related functional activation was significantly weaker in diabetic patients (P = 0.001). Moreover, the expression of catalase was lower in CD133+PC from T2DM.

Conclusions.  Our results show that T2DM not only limits the abundance of CD133+PC following AMI, but also limits their activation. This might be explained by a lower resistance of CD133+PC to oxidative stress. Our data provide a possible explanation for the delayed postischaemic vascular healing and myocardial recovery in DM.
Mitochondrial medicine: entering the era of treatment
Authors: Koene S. , Smeitink J.
Published: January 2009

Research of patients with defects in cellular energy metabolism (mitochondrial disease) has led to a better understanding of mitochondrial biology in health and disease. The obtained knowledge is of increasing importance for physicians of all medical disciplines. It assists in enabling the development of rational treatment strategies for diseases or conditions caused by mitochondrial dysfunction. The still frequently used classical interventions with vitamins or co‐factors are only beneficial in some rare mitochondrial disease conditions, like coenzyme Q biosynthesis defects. For that reason alternative strategies to correct disturbed energy metabolism have to be developed. New approaches in this direction include nutrition and exercise therapies, alternative gene expression, enzyme‐replacement, scavenging of potentially toxic compounds and modulating cell signalling. The effect of some of these interventions has already been explored in humans whilst others are still at the level of single cell research. We review the state of the art of the development of mitochondrial treatment strategies and discuss what steps need to be taken to efficiently approach the huge burden of disease caused by dysfunctional mitochondria.
De‐regulated expression of the plant glutamate receptor homolog AtGLR3.1 impairs long‐term Ca2+‐programmed stomatal closure
Authors: Cho Daeshik , Kim Sun A. , Murata Yoshiyuki , Lee Sangmee , Jae Seul‐Ki , Nam Hong Gil , Kwak June M.
Published: January 2009

Cytosolic Ca2+ ([Ca2+]cyt) mediates diverse cellular responses in both animal and plant cells in response to various stimuli. Calcium oscillation amplitude and frequency control gene expression. In stomatal guard cells, [Ca2+]cyt has been shown to regulate stomatal movements, and a defined window of Ca2+ oscillation kinetic parameters encodes necessary information for long‐term stomatal movements. However, it remains unknown how the encrypted information in the cytosolic Ca2+ signature is decoded to maintain stomatal closure. Here we report that the Arabidopsis glutamate receptor homolog AtGLR3.1 is preferentially expressed in guard cells compared to mesophyll cells. Furthermore, over‐expression of AtGLR3.1 using a viral promoter resulted in impaired external Ca2+‐induced stomatal closure. Cytosolic Ca2+ activation of S‐type anion channels, which play a central role in Ca2+‐reactive stomatal closure, was normal in the AtGLR3.1 over‐expressing plants. Interestingly, AtGLR3.1 over‐expression did not affect Ca2+‐induced Ca2+ oscillation kinetics, but resulted in a failure to maintain long‐term ‘Ca2+‐programmed’ stomatal closure when Ca2+ oscillations containing information for maintaining stomatal closure were imposed. By contrast, prompt short‐term Ca2+‐reactive closure was not affected in AtGLR3.1 over‐expressing plants. In wild‐type plants, the translational inhibitor cyclohexamide partially inhibited Ca2+‐programmed stomatal closure induced by experimentally imposed Ca2+ oscillations without affecting short‐term Ca2+‐reactive closure, mimicking the guard cell behavior of the AtGLR3.1 over‐expressing plants. Our results suggest that over‐expression of AtGLR3.1 impairs Ca2+ oscillation‐regulated stomatal movements, and that de novo protein synthesis contributes to the maintenance of long‐term Ca2+‐programmed stomatal closure.
Relative roles of life‐form, land use and climate in recent dynamics of alien plant distributions in the British Isles
Authors: HULME P E
Published: January 2009

Climate change may increase the number and distribution of alien plant species, where these taxa are better suited to future climates, comprise life‐forms known to benefit from a warmer environment, and/or possess life‐history traits that facilitate the rapid tracking of climate change. Sequential atlases of the British flora enable assessment of the role of climate in changes in native and alien plant distributions over the latter half of the 20th century, a period coincident with marked climatic warming. While the climate profiles (e.g. frost‐sensitive) and life‐forms (e.g. therophytes and geophytes) of aliens suggest a high likelihood of becoming more widespread under a warmer, drier climate, this is not evident from changes in distributions since the 1960s. The strong association of aliens with anthropogenic habitats and the tendency for species spread to consolidate occupancy within the current range rather than extending range boundaries, indicate that land‐use change may be a driver of species distributions. Nevertheless, problems arising from the consolidation of a species range may warrant as much concern as any poleward expansion of its distribution. While certain species may respond more to future climates than others, changes in the alien flora as a whole will probably also reflect other drivers, such as land use, propagule pressure and human‐mediated dispersal. The importance of land‐use change in the spread of alien plants is expected to continue even in the face of future climate change, not only in the UK, but also worldwide.
The influence of water level and nutrient availability on growth and root system development of Myriophyllum aquaticum
Authors: HUSSNER A , MEYER C , BUSCH J
Published: January 2009

Myriophyllum aquaticum is an aquatic plant of still or slow flowing waters. The species mostly occurs in its emerged growth form in dense stands, but submerged shoots can also be found. Due to its rapid growth, M. aquaticum is considered one of the most important aquatic weeds worldwide. In southern Europe, M. aquaticum occurs in irrigation and drainage systems, rice fields and lowland wetlands. In this study, root development and growth response of M. aquaticum to different water levels and nutrient availabilities were investigated in a rhizotron experiment under Central European climatic conditions. The species shows an ability to respond to drained soil conditions by a rapid root growth (up to >1 cm day−1), resulting in a deep root system under drained conditions. In waterlogged soil, the root system spreads more horizontally. Root density increased with increasing nutrient availability. Root:shoot ratio increased significantly with decreasing nutrient availability. In addition, total shoot length, shoot biomass, root biomass and total biomass differed significantly between different water levels and different nutrient availabilities. Relative growth rate increased with increasing water level and nutrient availability. Shoot porosity was higher in nutrient rich substrate than in nutrient low substrate. Root porosity increased with increasing water level. In conclusion, M. aquaticum shows a high tolerance to different water levels, which may be important for future habitat conditions in waterbodies and wetlands in Central Europe under the impact of global change with increased water level fluctuations.
Estimating the outcrossing rate of Cyperus difformis using resistance to ALS‐inhibiting herbicides and molecular markers
Authors: MEROTTO JR A , JASIENIUK M , FISCHER A J
Published: January 2009

Cyperus difformis (smallflower umbrella sedge) is an economically important weed of rice in California where its control has recently been complicated by the evolution of herbicide resistance. Knowledge of the mating system of this weed is needed to elucidate the dynamics of resistance evolution and to design mitigation strategies that delay its occurrence. The aim of this study was to estimate the outcrossing rate of C. difformis using molecular and phenotypic markers. Outcrossing rates were estimated in natural field populations using sequence‐related amplified polymorphism (SRAP) molecular markers and in glasshouse and field experiments using resistance to the acetolactate synthase‐inhibiting herbicide bensulfuron‐methyl as a phenotypic marker. Using SRAP markers, the multilocus (tm) and average single‐locus (ts) outcrossing rates varied from 0.014 to 0.025 and from 0.008 to 0.012, respectively, among natural weed populations in rice fields. Using resistance to bensulfuron‐methyl as a genetic marker, the average C. difformis outcrossing rate estimated was 0.009 in the glasshouse and 0.0084 in the field. These results indicate that C. difformis is a highly self‐fertilising species. Therefore, the primary mechanism by which genes for herbicide resistance can be transferred among C. difformis populations in different rice fields is probably seed dispersal. Weed management should emphasise prevention of seed production and dispersal to preclude the further spread and evolution of resistance in C. difformis.
Modelling the emergence pattern of six summer annual weed grasses under no tillage systems in Argentina
Authors: LEGUIZAMÓN E S , RODRIGUEZ N , RAINERO H , PEREZ M , PEREZ L , ZORZA E , FERNANDEZ‐QUINTANILLA C
Published: January 2009

Field trials were established in various growing seasons in four experimental sites with soyabeans or maize grown under no tillage systems. Seeds of Digitaria sanguinalis, Eleusine indica, Sorghum halepense, Setaria geniculata, Echinochloa colonum and Urochloa platyphylla were incorporated in surface soil, under the crop residues of the previous season, each autumn. Regular records of seedling emergence during the following spring and summer were used to model the pattern of each species as a function of the thermal time in the 2 cm upper layer of the soil profile. A Weibull function closely described (r2 = 0.73–0.93) the relationship between thermal time and seedling emergence for all species in each site and year. The coefficient of determination for the model verification ranged from 0.71 to 0.98. Species may be grouped into three emergence time‐span groups. Eleusine indica, U. platyphylla and E. colonum had a long‐lasting emergence, requiring 940–1660 d°C (growing day degrees) to complete this process. Digitaria sanguinalis and S. halepense had an intermediate emergence time‐span, completing this process in 540–1090 d°C. Setaria geniculata exhibited the shortest emergence time‐span (290–660 d°C required for full emergence). Different hypotheses were tested in order to explain species model parameter differences in different sites and to establish the basis for more refined models with improved prediction capabilities.
The impact of landscape structure and sown grass margin strips on weed assemblages in arable crops and their boundaries
Authors: MARSHALL E J P
Published: January 2009

A paired‐field study was made in southern England in arable fields, each with or without sown 6‐m wide grass margin strips. Seven field pairs were located in each of small, intermediate and open landscapes, which were based on mean field size. Ground cover, plant species diversity and assemblages were assessed in crop centres, crop edges and non‐crop field boundaries. The data were used to test for effects of sown grass margins, differences in field location, impacts on rare weed species and for landscape effects on weed assemblages. Significantly higher plant species diversity was found in boundaries protected by buffer strips. Annual weeds associated with field edges, notably Anisantha sterilis, were found at lower cover where perennial grass strips were present. Sown grass strips enhanced boundary plant diversity, particularly by increasing polycarpic species. Margin strips had a small influence on the weed flora of the crop edge, possibly reducing weed cover, but had no influence on floras of field centres. Field size and landscape context did not affect weed assemblages, which show marked field‐to‐field variability, though crop type was an important influence. Grass margins did not enhance rare arable weed species and may be a threat to them, if margins are sited where such species are known to occur in the seedbank. With this exception, grass strips are a positive influence on boundary flora diversity and reduce margin weeds in arable landscapes.
Seasonal changes in seed dormancy of Solanum nigrum and Solanum physalifolium
Authors: TAAB A , ANDERSSON L
Published: January 2009

The seed dormancy cycle in Solanum nigrum and Solanum physalifolium was studied in relation to seasonal temperature. Seed lots of both species were buried in pots outdoors in a randomised complete block design with four replicates from November 2004 to November 2006. At regular intervals, samples of the seeds were randomly exhumed and tested for germination in incubators at three temperatures and light/darkness regimes. For both species, low winter temperature weakened dormancy and high temperature strengthened it. Dormancy induction mainly occurred from August to October in both species after experiencing warm temperatures. An exception from the general pattern of seed dormancy was however observed; seed germination percentages were temporarily reduced in early spring, followed by a peak in germination, before the main period of strong dormancy in S. nigrum. The same phenomenon was observed in S. physalifolium during June in the first year. This short‐lived dormancy induction might explain the late emergence of the species. Seed dormancy enables the species to maximise its chance of survival by regulating germination timing to favourable conditions. Therefore, information on the dormancy cycle can be used to predict seedling emergence and optimise weed control operations.
The crucial role of information exchange and research for effective responses to biological invasions
Authors: BROWNE M , PAGAD S , DE POORTER M
Published: January 2009

Farmers have been fighting weeds and pests since the beginnings of agriculture, but the impacts of invasive alien species (IAS) on native species, habitats and ecosystem services have only been brought to the world’s attention relatively recently. Invasive plants, also known as environmental weeds, constitute an insidious ‘biological pollution’. Unlike many other types of pollution, they are not diluted in time but, on the contrary, can expand in numbers, density and geographical extent – often exponentially. This paper illustrates an increasing ability to fight back, using a number of case studies of good management practice, including prevention, ecosystem approaches, adaptive management and stakeholder involvement. It identifies some of the challenges inherent in managing IAS in complex situations and identifies areas where weed scientists and other researchers can increase their contributions. Crucially, communities, conservation groups, NGOs and agencies undertaking prevention and management activities need ready access to science‐based biological and ecological information about target species, prevention strategies and management techniques, as well as case studies from other regions facing similar problems. Information exchange is a key component of effective responses to biological invasions. A number of global‐scale information exchange mechanisms are described.
A preliminary study of increased amygdala activation to positive affective stimuli in mania
Authors: Bermpohl Felix , Dalanay Umut , Kahnt Thorsten , Sajonz Bastian , Heimann Hannah , Ricken Roland , Stoy Meline , Hägele Claudia , Schlagenhauf Florian , Adli Mazda , Wrase Jana , Ströhle Andreas , Heinz Andreas , Bauer Michael
Published: January 2009

Objectives:  The present study in hypomanic and manic patients explored how amygdala responses to affective stimuli depend on the valence of the stimuli presented.

Methods:  We compared 10 patients with 10 matched healthy control subjects. We measured blood oxygen level‐dependent (BOLD) responses in the amygdala while subjects passively viewed photographs taken from the International Affective Picture System. After the fMRI session, subjects saw the pictures again and subjectively rated the emotional valence and intensity of each picture.

Results:  Compared to healthy individuals, hypomanic or manic patients showed higher valence ratings in positive pictures and associated larger BOLD responses in the left amygdala during positive versus neutral picture viewing. This enhanced amygdala activation was correlated with Young Mania Rating Scale scores and with euphoric as opposed to irritable symptom presentation.

Conclusions:  Increased valence ratings and amygdala responses to positive affective stimuli may reflect a positive processing bias contributing to elevated mood states characteristic for euphoric mania.
Augmentative repetitive navigated transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in drug‐resistant bipolar depression
Authors: Dell’Osso Bernardo , Mundo Emanuela , D’Urso Nazario , Pozzoli Sara , Buoli Massimiliano , Ciabatti MariaTeresa , Rosanova Mario , Massimini Marcello , Bellina Valentina , Mariotti Maurizio , Carlo Altamura A
Published: January 2009

Objectives:  The efficacy of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has been poorly investigated in bipolar depression. The present study aimed to assess the efficacy of low‐frequency repetitive TMS (rTMS) of the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) combined with brain navigation in a sample of bipolar depressed subjects.

Methods:  Eleven subjects with bipolar I or bipolar II disorder and major depressive episode who did not respond to previous pharmacological treatment were treated with three weeks of open‐label rTMS at 1 Hz, 110% of motor threshold, 300 stimuli/day.

Results:  All subjects completed the trial showing a statistically significant improvement on the 21‐item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM‐D), Montgomery‐Åsberg Depression Rating Scale, and Clinical Global Impression severity of illness scale (ANOVAs with repeated measures: F = 22.36, p < 0.0001; F = 12.66, p < 0.0001; and F = 10.41, p < 0.0001, respectively). In addition, stimulation response, defined as an endpoint HAM‐D score reduction of ≥50% compared to baseline, was achieved by 6 out of 11 subjects, 4 of whom were considered remitters (HAM‐D endpoint score ≤ 8). Partial response (endpoint HAM‐D score reduction between 25% and 50%) was achieved by 3/11 patients. No manic/hypomanic activation was detected during the treatment according to Young Mania Rating Scale scores (ANOVAs with repeated measures: F = 0.62, p = 0.61). Side effects were slight and were limited to the first days of treatment.

Conclusions:  Augmentative low‐frequency rTMS of the right DLPFC combined with brain navigation was effective and well tolerated in a small sample of drug‐resistant bipolar depressive patients, even though the lack of a sham controlled group limits confidence in the results.
TRPM2 variants and bipolar disorder risk: confirmation in a family‐based association study
Authors: Xu Chun , Li Peter P , Cooke Robert G , Parikh Sagar V , Wang KeSheng , Kennedy James L , Warsh Jerry J
Published: January 2009

Objective:  Recent case‐control studies implicate the transient receptor potential melastatin 2 (TRPM2) channel in conferring risk for bipolar disorder (BD), though the risk variants differed. As confounding effects of population structure could not be unequivocally ruled out as the basis for the discordance, we tested the association of TRPM2 with BD in a family design, which is immune to population stratification, for those TRPM2 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) previously reported as associated with BD.

Methods:  The exon 11 SNP (rs1556314) and four informative intronic SNPs (rs1785437, rs1618355, rs933151, and rs749909) were genotyped in 300 BD families by TaqMan allelic discrimination and results were analyzed using χ2 test, transmission disequilibrium test, and pedigree‐based association. SNP rs1556314 was also genotyped in our case‐control sample set comprised of 184 BD and 195 healthy Caucasian subjects.

Results:  The SNP rs1556314 in exon 11 was significantly associated with bipolar disorder type I (BD‐I) (p = 0.011, ppermutation = 0.015) in the case‐control dataset and in the family design (p = 0.018, ppermutation = 0.052, TDTPHASE). Interestingly, the C‐T‐A haplotype of SNPs rs1618355, rs933151, and rs749909 was significantly associated with early age at onset in BD‐I families.

Conclusion:  Significant association of TRPM2 genetic variants with BD in case‐control and family datasets further supports a role for TRPM2 in the pathogenesis of this disorder. Overtransmission of the G allele of rs1556314 at exon 11 of TRPM2 in BD‐I but not bipolar disorder type II (BD‐II) further supports different genetic contributions to the pathogenesis of these bipolar phenotypes.
Histopathologic and Immunohistochemical Exam in One Case of Canine Endometrial Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Pires MA , Seixas F , Palmeira C , Payan‐Carreira R
Published: January 2009

Contents

Canine endometrial carcinomas are rare, and mostly occur in geriatric bitches. In this work, the uterus of a 10‐year‐old female Boxer evidencing an endometrial carcinoma on the body of the uterus was used to describe the histopathological features of the tumour and to study its immunophenotype. In this work, a panel of immunomarkers (cytokeratins AE1/AE3 and 14, vimentin, CD10 and Ki‐67) was applied to the endometrial carcinoma to establish the staining patterns indicative of the tumour agressiveness and cellular differentiation. Additionally DNA ploidy was also performed. In this case, the tumour showed papillar pattern, with large pleomorphic, anaplastic cells and also some aberrant multinucleated and giant cells. In some areas of the tumour, it was also observed cytotrophoblastic‐like cells outlining the papillae. Cytokeratin AE1/AE3 expression was detected in the luminal neoplasic cells. Cytokeratin 14 positivity was sporadic and irregular, and was observed mainly in the luminal epithelium. Only stromal and aberrant cells showed a positive staining to vimentin. Positive membranous staining to CD10 was evidenced by clear epithelial, cytotrophoblastic‐like cells at the tumour surface but not by the stromal cells. The mitotic and Ki‐67 indices were low, suggestive of a weak aggressiveness of the tumour. The multinucleated and giant cells evidenced a positive immunostaining to CK AE1/AE3, and CD 10; its positivity to vimentin was sporadic. This study aims to contribute to the advancement of the knowledge in canine endometrial carcinoma immunophenotype.
Pineal parenchymal tumor of intermediate differentiation showing malignant progression at relapse
Authors: Kim Bo Sung , Kim Dong Kyu , Park Sung‐Hye
Published: January 2009

Pineal parenchymal tumors of intermediate differentiation (PPTID) are extremely rare tumor entities and only limited data are available regarding their pathologic features and biologic behavior. In this report, we describe a case of PPTID transformed into pineoblastoma at relapse in a 47‐year‐old woman, focusing on the comparison of histologic and immunohistochemical features between the first and recurred tumors. The first tumor in February 2004 exhibited diffuse sheets of relatively uniform, small cells with moderately high cellularity and mild nuclear atypia, and no mitoses or necrosis. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells showed diffuse staining for neuron‐specific enolase (NSE), synaptophysin and chromogranin, and the MIB‐1 labeling index was 3%. The diagnosis was PPTID. On the other hand, 4 years later, the recurred tumor had morphologic features of undifferentiated small cell histology with high mitotic activity and prominent necrosis. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells showed only focal, weak staining for NSE, synaptophysin and chromogranin, and the MIB‐1 labeling index was 19%, all of which were the features of pineoblastoma. This case clearly indicates that PPTID can be transformed without limit into pineoblastoma at relapse in a clinical aspect, and PPTID is closely related to pineoblastoma on a continuous spectrum in a histogenetic aspect.
In vivo expression of proinflammatory cytokines in HIV encephalitis: an analysis of 11 autopsy cases
Authors: Xing Hui Qin , Hayakawa Hitoshi , Izumo Kimiko , Kubota Ryuji , Gelpi Ellen , Budka Herbert , Izumo Shuji
Published: January 2009

As the pathogenesis of AIDS dementia complex (ADC), cytokines such as TNF‐α and IL‐1β have been thought to have toxic effects on CNS cells and induce neuronal cell death. However, many of the discussions have been based on the studies done by in vitro experiments. There are only a few reports which demonstrate proinflammatory cytokines directly in vivo in HIV encephalitis (HIVE) brains, and roles of these cytokines with relation to HIV‐1 infection are not yet clarified. In the present study, we examined 11 autopsy cases of HIVE using immunohistochemistry, and explored which cell types expressed these cytokines and whether expression of cytokines was related to viral infection. IL‐1β was detected in the frontal white matter of all 11 cases where microglial nodules were observed to varying degrees, whereas TNF‐α was detected in seven cases. IL‐1β− or TNF‐α‐positive cells were almost restricted to CD68‐positive macrophages/microglia and mild expression of these cytokines by astrocytes was observed in two cases with severe HIVE. IL‐1β was detected in some HIVp24‐positive multinucleated giant cells. However, we could not detect TNF‐α expression in the HIVp24‐positive cells, which indicates that IL‐1β is induced by HIV‐1 infection. In conclusion, a macrophage/microglia lineage is the main cell type to release cytokines in HIVE, and IL‐1β expression by HIV‐1‐infected cells may be one of the important factors for induction of HIVE. In addition, many non‐infected macrophages/microglia as well as some astrocytes express IL‐1β and TNF‐α, which might contribute to pathogenesis of ADC.
Universal foliage‐stem scaling across environments and species in dicot trees: plasticity, biomechanics and Corner’s Rules
Authors: Olson Mark E. , Aguirre‐Hernández Rebeca , Rosell Julieta A.
Published: January 2009

Trees range from small‐leaved, intricately branched species with slender stems to large‐leaved, coarsely branched ones with thick stems. We suggest a mechanism for this pattern, known as Corner’s Rules, based on universal scaling. We show similar crown area–stem diameter scaling between trunks and branches, environments, and species spanning a wide range of leaf size and stem biomechanics. If crown and stem maintain metabolically driven proportionality, but similar amounts of photosynthates are produced per unit crown area, then the greater leaf spacing in large‐leaved species requires lower density stem tissue and, meeting mechanical needs, thicker stems. Congruent with this scenario, we show a negative relationship between leaf size and stem Young’s modulus. Corner’s Rules emerge from these mutual adjustments, which suggest that adaptive studies cannot consider any of these features independently. The constancy of scaling despite environmental challenges identifies this trait constellation as a crucial axis of plant diversification.
THE REAL INTEREST RATE DIFFERENTIAL: INTERNATIONAL EVIDENCE BASED ON NON‐LINEAR UNIT ROOT TESTS
Authors: Baharumshah Ahmad Zubaidi , Liew Venus Khim‐Sen , Haw Chan Tze
Published: January 2009

This paper aims at testing international parity conditions by using non‐linear unit root tests advocated by Kapetanios et al. (2003, KSS). Results from the KSS tests based on 17 countries (G7 and 10 Asian countries) overwhelmingly show that the adjustment of real interest rates towards real interest rate parity (RIP) follows a non‐linear process except for the Taiwan, Hong Kong and Philippines relationships with both the USA and Japan. Overall, the empirical results are in favour of RIP using the USA and Japan as the centre countries but only if non‐linearities are accounted for in the data‐generating process. Our findings confirm that interest rate differentials, like the real exchange rates reported in recent literature, display a non‐linear mean reversion process.
THE IMPACT OF GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE ON GROWTH: EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE FROM A HETEROGENEOUS PANEL
Authors: Gregoriou Andros , Ghosh Sugata
Published: January 2009

This paper investigates the impact of government expenditure on growth, in a heterogeneous panel, for a sample of developing countries. Using generalized method of moments techniques, we show that countries with substantial government current expenditure have strong growth effects, which vary considerably across the nations.
FINANCIAL MARKET COMPETITION AND ECONOMIC GROWTH: THE IMPORTANCE OF HOW PROFITS ARE RETURNED
Authors: Roberts Mark A.
Published: January 2009

If households have finite lives, the effect of imperfect competition in the financial sector on economic growth depends also on how its profits are returned. The return may be exogenous though fiscal transfers to the young and/or the old or endogenous through dividend payments to a subset of old households that have acquired financial sector equity. Returning financial profits to the old, either exogenously or endogenously, unambiguously reduces growth, but through the two respective mechanisms of consumption‐smoothing and of encouraging ‘unproductive saving’. As the latter is the more powerful, a public pension paid for by taxing financial profits will raise steady‐state growth rate. However, the main results are that if profits are returned to the young, growth will be highest with monopolistic finance, if the elasticity of intertemporal substitution is sufficiently low; and, generally, the number of Nash–Cournot financial firms that maximizes growth is increasing in the value of this parameter.
Future Direction on Research and Development of Seismic‐Response‐Controlled Structures
Authors: Kobori Takuji
Published: January 2009

Abstract: Seismic‐response‐controlled structures are being accepted as a fresh concept that can respond to the needs of a society in the new century. The author already had announced the basic principle of this concept at the midpoint of this century (1950s). This concept has advanced significantly thanks to technologic innovations in the recent years, and in the beginning of 1985, full‐scale research was launched for its practical application. Recently, its theoretical research and application developed rapidly both in Japan and overseas. Therefore, in this paper, the current state of the R&D and practical application of seismic‐response‐control systems in Japan and the United States are described. Based on this information, the author proposes the future direction of R&D on seismic‐response‐control technology.
Seismic Response Evaluation of Actively Controlled Structures
Authors: Asano Koichiro , Nakagawa Hajime , Urabayashi Teruhito
Published: January 2009

Abstract: An optimal control force of elastoplastic hysteretic structural seismic response is derived and the possible simplification of this force is examined. Based on this simplification, a velocity‐feedback type of control force with saturation is considered in order to examine the influence of an insufficient control force on elastoplastic structural seismic response. The seismic response is estimated based on the probabilistic approach, where the equivalent linearization is valid for both nonlinear hysteretic characteristics of the restoring force and nonlinear saturation characteristics of the control force. Numerical examples are given for bilinear hysteretic systems with single degrees of freedom.
Control of Traffic‐Induced Vibrations of Elevated Urban Highways
Authors: Pinkaew Tospol , Fujino Yozo , Bhartia Binod K.
Published: January 2009

Abstract: This paper studies the active control of traffic‐induced vibrations of elevated highway bridges. In order to suppress the vibration, an active control device (AMD or ATMD) is installed beneath the bridge girder at the center. Three different feedback control algorithms are studied, depending on different levels of vehicle information used in control design, namely, (1) full‐state feedback, (2) output feedback, and (3) constant‐gain output feedback. The gains of the algorithms 1 and 2 are time‐varying, while the gain of algorithm 3 is time‐invariant. The numerical examples of bridge‐control system responses, subjected to the moving vehicle, are computed. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of the active control in reducing the bridge responses. However, for the control design, the information of passing vehicles is found to be almost unnecessary for inclusion in the feedback, although for the response analysis, it is known that the vehicles form an essential part that should be incorporated in the system dynamic model. It is also found that the control performance of ATMD is higher than that of AMD. Finally, based on the understanding of the control characteristic, a new control concept is proposed. It is shown that the ATMD's performance can be further improved by the proposed control.
Hybrid CPN–Neural Dynamics Model for Discrete Optimization of Steel Structures
Authors: Adeli Hojjat , Park Hyo Seon
Published: January 2009

Abstract: In practical design of steel structures, the designer usually must choose from a limited number of commercially available shapes such as the widely used wide flange shapes. In this article, we present a hybrid counterpropagation‐neural dynamics model and a new neural network topology for discrete optimization of large structures subjected to the AISC ASD specifications. The constrained structural optimization problem is formulated in terms of a neural dynamics model with constraint and variable layers. The counterpropagation part of the model consists of the competition and interpolation layers. The CPN network is trained to learn the relationship between the cross‐sectional area and the radius of gyration of the available sections. The robustness of the hybrid computational model is demonstrated by application to three examples representing the exterior envelope of high‐rise and super‐high‐rise steel building structures, including a 147‐story structure with 8904 members.
Avoid Delivering Therapies for Nonsustained Fast Ventricular Tachyarrhythmia in Patients with Implantable Cardioverter/Defibrillator: The ADVANCE III Trial
Authors: SCHWAB JOERG O. , GASPARINI MAURIZIO , LUNATI MAURIZIO , PROCLEMER ALESSANDRO , KAUP BERND , SANTI ELISABETTA , LIGORIO GUISEPPE , KLERSY CATHERINE , DE SOUSA JOÃO , OKREGLICKI ANDRZEJ , ARENAL ANGEL , WIJFFELS MAURITS , LEMKE BERND
Published: January 2009

Introduction: The purpose of this investigation is to evaluate whether a prolonged detection interval for life threatening ventricular tachyarrhythmia (VT) is able to reduce therapies (Rx) delivered by an implantable cardioverter/defibrillator (ICD). Until now, only the PREPARE trial demonstrated a reduction of ICD Rx in a cohort of primary prevention patients.

Methods and Results: The ADVANCE III study is a prospective, randomized, parallel trial with 2 arms evaluating different intervals to detect (NID), i.e., 18/24 (as currently used) versus 30/40. The primary endpoint is to demonstrate a 20% reduction of ICD Rx (antitachycardia pacing or shocks) delivered to terminate spontaneous VT with a cycle length ≤320 ms in patients with Class I‐IIA indication for ICD therapy, regardless of cardiac resynchronization capabilities. The worldwide investigation started in spring 2008 and is expected to be finished in 2011.

Conclusions: The ADVANCE III trial is the first randomized investigation evaluating the reduction of ICD Rx for fast VT due to a prolongation of NID in a general ICD patient cohort.
Initial Clinical Experience with the New Irrigated Tip Magnetic Catheter for Ablation of Scar‐Related Sustained Ventricular Tachycardia: A Small Case Series
Authors: HAGHJOO MAJID , HINDRICKS GERHARD , BODE KERSTIN , PIORKOWSKI CHRISTOPHER , BOLLMANN ANDREAS , ARYA ARASH
Published: January 2009

Background: A remote magnetic navigation system (MNS) has been used with a nonirrigated magnetic catheter for ablation of some supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias. However, the irrigated tip catheter has not been evaluated.

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility and efficiency of the newly available irrigated tip magnetic catheter for radiofrequency ablation (RF) of electrical storm due to scar‐related ventricular tachycardia (VT) in patients with ischemic heart disease.

Methods: Between January and March 2008, a total of 4 consecutive patients (4 men, mean age 67.7 years) with electrical storm who had an implantable cardioverter defibrillator underwent radiofrequency ablation using a remote MNS and the new magnetic irrigated catheter.

Results: Five ablation procedures were performed in study patients. Acute success, defined as noninducibility of any monomorphic VT, was obtained in 3 patients. In 1 patient, a nonclinical VT remained inducible. A monomorphic VT corresponding to clinical VT with the median (range) cycle length of 485 (440–580) ms was induced in all patients. The duration of ablation was 2,273 (985–3087) seconds, with median total procedure and fluoroscopy times of 135 (100–150) minutes and 6.5 (5–9) minutes, respectively. One recurrence occurred 1 week after ablation, which was ablated successfully in the second session. No complication was observed after ablation. During mean follow‐up of 4.2 months, all patients were in sinus rhythm, they received no ICD therapy, and no mortality occurred.

Conclusions: Irrigated ablation of scar‐related ventricular tachycardia guided by remote MNS is a feasible and effective modality for management of the electrical storm in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy with minimal radiation exposure.