bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Environmental causes and consequences of forest clearance and agricultural abandonment in central New York, USA
Authors: Flinn Kathryn M. , Vellend Mark , Marks P.L.
Published: February 2005

Aim  Climate, topography and soils drive many patterns of plant distribution and abundance across landscapes, but current plant communities may also reflect a legacy of past disturbance such as agricultural land use. To assess the relative influences of environmental conditions and disturbance history on vegetation, it is important to understand how these forces interact. This study relates the geographical distribution of land uses to variation in topography and soils; evaluates the consequences of land‐use decisions for current forests; and examines the effects of agricultural land use on the chemical properties of forest soils.

Location  Tompkins County occupies 1250 km2 in central New York's Finger Lakes region. Like much of eastern North America, this area underwent forest clearance for agriculture during the 1800s and widespread field abandonment and forest recovery during the 1900s. The current landscape consists of a patchwork of forests that were never cleared, forests that developed on old fields and active agricultural lands.

Methods  We investigated relationships among topography, soils and land‐use decisions by gathering information about land‐use history, slope, aspect, elevation, soil lime content, soil drainage and accessibility in a geographic information system (GIS). To assess the effects of agriculture on forest soil chemistry, we measured pH, organic matter content and extractable nutrient concentrations in field‐collected soil samples from 47 post‐agricultural and uncleared forests.

Results  Steeper slopes, less accessible lands and lower‐lime soils tended to remain forested, and farmers were more likely to abandon fields that were steeper, farther from roads, lower in lime and more poorly drained. Slope had by far the greatest impact on patterns of clearance and abandonment, and accessibility had a surprisingly strong influence on the distribution of land uses. The effects of other factors varied more, depending for example on location within the county. Current forest types differed accordingly in topography and soil attributes, particularly slope, but they also showed much overlap. Post‐agricultural and uncleared forest soils had similar chemical properties. Forests on lands abandoned from agriculture 80–100 years before had slightly higher pH and nutrient concentrations than adjacent, uncleared forests, but these changes were small compared to environmental variation across the county.

Main conclusions  Despite differential use of lands according to their topography and soils, the substantial influence of accessibility and the relatively small scale of land‐use decisions allowed for broad similarity among forest types. Thus, the topography and soil differences created by land‐use decisions probably contribute little to landscape‐level patterns of diversity. Subtle changes in forest soil chemistry left from past agriculture may nevertheless affect plant distribution and abundance at finer scales.
INVITED REVIEW: Comparative organization of chloroplast, mitochondrial and nuclear diversity in plant populations
Authors: PETIT RÉMY J. , DUMINIL JÉRÔME , FINESCHI SILVIA , HAMPE ARNDT , SALVINI DANIELA , VENDRAMIN GIOVANNI G.
Published: February 2005

Plants offer excellent models to investigate how gene flow shapes the organization of genetic diversity. Their three genomes can have different modes of transmission and will hence experience varying levels of gene flow. We have compiled studies of genetic structure based on chloroplast DNA (cpDNA), mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and nuclear markers in seed plants. Based on a data set of 183 species belonging to 103 genera and 52 families, we show that the precision of estimates of genetic differentiation (GST) used to infer gene flow is mostly constrained by the sampling of populations. Mode of inheritance appears to have a major effect on GST. Maternally inherited genomes experience considerably more subdivision (median value of 0.67) than paternally or biparentally inherited genomes (∼0.10). GST at cpDNA and mtDNA markers covary narrowly when both genomes are maternally inherited, whereas GST at paternally and biparentally inherited markers also covary positively but more loosely and GST at maternally inherited markers are largely independent of values based on nuclear markers. A model‐based gross estimate suggests that, at the rangewide scale, historical levels of pollen flow are generally at least an order of magnitude larger than levels of seed flow (median of the pollen‐to‐seed migration ratio: 17) and that pollen and seed gene flow vary independently across species. Finally, we show that measures of subdivision that take into account the degree of similarity between haplotypes (NST or RST) make better use of the information inherent in haplotype data than standard measures based on allele frequencies only.
Mutation at high rates reduces spatial structure within populations
Authors: EPPERSON BRYAN K.
Published: February 2005

The question of whether or not the high rates (µ) of mutation that occur for some hypervariable markers can affect commonly used empirical measures of spatial structure of genetic variation within populations is addressed. The results show that values of these measures are approximately halved when µ is 10−2. Finest spatial‐scale correlations, measured by either Moran's I‐statistics or conditional kinship, are reduced by 30%−50%. When the mutation rate is 10 times lower, much smaller reductions result, e.g. averaging 7% for the finest scale correlations. Still smaller orders of magnitude of µ cause negligible changes in spatial structure, where any effects normally would not be detectable. The reductions are caused by forward mutations, and when the reductions are measured as percentages, they are nearly independent of the amount of structure produced sans mutation, except when dispersal is nearly minimal. The percent reductions are also nearly independent of the number of alleles and of back mutations, hence of the nature of the mutation process (e.g. stepwise or not). The results demonstrate that some hypervariable loci should have reduced spatial structuring, and that marker choice may affect the values observed in experimental surveys. Moreover, if fine‐scale correlations are used to indirectly estimate dispersal distances, then mutation at high rates could inflate estimates, easily up to two‐ to three‐fold.
INVITED REVIEW: Using genome scans of DNA polymorphism to infer adaptive population divergence
Authors: STORZ JAY F.
Published: February 2005

Elucidating the genetic basis of adaptive population divergence is a goal of central importance in evolutionary biology. In principle, it should be possible to identify chromosomal regions involved in adaptive divergence by screening genome‐wide patterns of DNA polymorphism to detect the locus‐specific signature of positive directional selection. In the case of spatially separated populations that inhabit different environments or sympatric populations that exploit different ecological niches, it is possible to identify loci that underlie divergently selected traits by comparing relative levels of differentiation among large numbers of unlinked markers. In this review I first address the question of whether diversifying selection on polygenic traits can be expected to produce predictable patterns of allelic variation at the underlying quantitative trait loci (QTL), and whether the locus‐specific effects of selection can be reliably detected against the genome‐wide backdrop of stochastic variability. I then review different approaches that have been developed to identify loci involved in adaptive population divergence and I discuss the relative merits of model‐based approaches that rely on assumptions about population structure vs. model‐free approaches that are based on empirical distributions of summary statistics. Finally, I consider the evolutionary and functional insights that might be gained by conducting genome scans for loci involved in adaptive population divergence.
An insight into the genetic variation of Schistosoma japonicum in mainland China using DNA microsatellite markers
Authors: SHRIVASTAVA JAYA , QIAN BAO ZHEN , MCVEAN GILEAN , WEBSTER JOANNE P.
Published: February 2005

This study presents the first microsatellite investigation into the level of genetic variation among Schistosoma japonicum from different geographical origins. S. japonicum isolates were obtained from seven endemic provinces across mainland China: Zhejiang (Jiashan County), Anhui (Guichi County), Jiangxi (Yongxiu County), Hubei (Wuhan County), Hunan (Yueyang area), Sichuan 1 (Maoshan County), Sichuan 2 (Tianquan County), Yunnan (Dali County), and also one province in the Philippines (Sorsogon). DNA from 20 individuals from each origin were screened against 11 recently isolated and characterized S. japonicum microsatellites, and a set of nine loci were selected based on their polymorphic information content. High levels of polymorphism were obtained between and within population samples, with Chinese and Philippine strains appearing to follow different lineages, and with distinct branching between provinces. Moreover, across mainland China, genotype clustering appeared to be related to habitat type and/or intermediate host morph. These results highlight the suitability of microsatellites for population genetic studies of S. japonicum and suggest that there may be different strains of S. japonicum circulating in mainland China.
The latitudinal cline in the In(3R)Payne inversion polymorphism has shifted in the last 20 years in Australian Drosophila melanogaster populations
Authors: ANDERSON ALISHA R. , HOFFMANN ARY A. , MCKECHNIE STEPHEN W. , UMINA PAUL A. , WEEKS ANDREW R.
Published: February 2005

Clinal variation has been described in a number of inversions in Drosophila but these clines are often characterized by cytological techniques using small sample sizes, and associations with specific genes are rarely considered. Here we have developed a molecular assay for In(3R)Payne in Drosophila melanogaster from eastern Australia populations. It shows in repeated samples that the inversion cline is very tightly associated with latitude and is almost fixed in tropical populations while relatively rare in temperate populations. This steep cline has shifted in position in the last 20 years. The heat shock gene, hsr‐omega, located centrally inside the inversion sequence, shows a different clinal pattern to In(3R)Payne. These results suggest strong ongoing selection on In(3R)Payne over the last 100 years since the colonization of Australia that is partly independent of hsr‐omega.
Population genetic structure of annual and perennial populations ofZostera marinaL. along the Pacific coast of Baja California and the Gulf of California
Authors: MUÑIZ‐SALAZAR RAQUEL , TALBOT SANDRA L. , SAGE GEORGE K. , WARD DAVID H. , CABELLO‐PASINI ALEJANDRO
Published: February 2005

The Baja California peninsula represents a biogeographical boundary contributing to regional differentiation among populations of marine animals. We investigated the genetic characteristics of perennial and annual populations of the marine angiosperm,Zostera marina,along the Pacific coast of Baja California and in the Gulf of California, respectively. Populations ofZ.marinafrom five coastal lagoons along the Pacific coast and four sites in the Gulf of California were studied using nine microsatellite loci. Analyses of variance revealed significant interregional differentiation, but no subregional differentiation. Significant spatial differentiation, assessed using θSTvalues, was observed among all populations within the two regions.Z. marinapopulations along the Pacific coast are separated by more than 220 km and had the greatest θST(0.13–0.28) values, suggesting restricted gene flow. In contrast, lower but still significant genetic differentiation was observed among populations within the Gulf of California (θST = 0.04–0.18), even though populations are separated by more than 250 km. This suggests higher levels of gene flow among Gulf of California populations relative to Pacific coast populations. Direction of gene flow was predominantly southward among Pacific coast populations, whereas no dominant polarity in the Gulf of California populations was observed. The test for isolation by distance (IBD) showed a significant correlation between genetic and geographical distances in Gulf of California populations, but not in Pacific coast populations, perhaps because of shifts in currents during El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events along the Pacific coast.
Hyperdiversity of ectomycorrhizal fungus assemblages on oak seedlings in mixed forests in the southern Appalachian Mountains
Authors: WALKER JOHN F. , K. MILLER ORSON , HORTON JONATHAN L.
Published: February 2005

Diversity of ectotrophic mycobionts on outplanted seedlings of two oak species (Quercus rubra and Quercus prinus) was estimated at two sites in mature mixed forests in the southern Appalachian Mountains by sequencing nuclear 5.8S rRNA genes and the flanking internal transcribed spacer regions I and II (ITS). The seedlings captured a high diversity of mycorrhizal ITS‐types and late‐stage fungi were well represented. Total richness was 75 types, with 42 types having a frequency of only one. The first and second order jackknife estimates were 116 and 143 types, respectively. Among Basidiomycetes, tomentelloid/thelephoroid, russuloid, and cortinarioid groups were the richest. The ascomycete Cenococcum geophilum was ubiquitously present. Dominant fungi included a putative Tuber sp. (Ascomycetes), and Basidiomycetes including a putative Craterellus sp., and Laccaria cf. laccata. Diversity was lower at a drier high elevation oak forest site compared to a low elevation mesic cove — hardwood forest site. Fungal specificity for red oak vs. white oak seedlings was unresolved. The high degree of rarity in this system imposes limitations on the power of community analyses at finer scales. The high mycobiont diversity highlights the potential for seedlings to acquire carbon from mycelial networks and confirms the utility of using outplanted seedlings to estimate ectomycorrhizal diversity.
Intradermal testing with the storage miteTyrophagus putrescentiaein normal dogs and dogs with atopic dermatitis in Colorado
Authors: MUELLER RALF S. , FIESELER KATHRYN V. , ROSYCHUK RODNEY A. W. , GREENWALT TRACEY
Published: February 2005

Abstract The purpose of this study was to evaluate reactions to intradermal injections ofTyrophagus putrescentiaeextract in healthy dogs and dogs with atopic dermatitis and to compare the prevalence of positive reactions in the two groups. Twenty‐one healthy dogs and 26 atopic dogs were tested intradermally withT. putrescentiaeextract at 1000, 500, 250, 125, 63, 32 and 16 PNU/mL. Reactions were evaluated objectively and subjectively. A Mann–Whitney test was used to determine differences in grade of reaction to storage mites between healthy dogs and dogs with atopic dermatitis. Positive reactions to storage mite extract were most common at 1000 PNU/mL with approximately one third of normal and atopic dogs showing a positive reaction toT. putrescentiae.There was no significant difference in the incidence of positive reactions between normal and atopic dogs for any of theTyrophagusextract concentrations.
Bacteria and fungi on the surface and within noninflamed hair follicles of skin biopsy specimens from horses with healthy skin or inflammatory dermatoses
Authors: COOK CHRISTOPHER P. , SCOTT DANNY W. , ERB HOLLIS N. , MILLER WILLIAM H.
Published: February 2005

Abstract  A retrospective study using light microscopy was performed to assess the prevalence of surface and follicular bacteria and fungi in skin biopsy specimens from 247 horses with inflammatory dermatoses and from 27 horses with healthy skin. Cocci were found on the surface of specimens from 23% (95% confidence interval 18%, 29%) and 7% (95% confidence interval, 0%, 19%), respectively, of horses with skin disease and horses with healthy skin. Of the nine dermatoses with at least 10 cases in our series of horses, bacterial folliculitis had a higher prevalence of surface bacteria (57%; 95% confidence interval 34%, 81%) than the other eight (which all had a prevalence < 30%). There was a significant association between the prevalence of surface cocci and the extent of epidermal hyperkeratosis. Cocci were found in the keratin of noninflamed hair follicles in only 2% of the horses with skin disease, and in none of the horses with healthy skin. Fungal poroconidia were found on the surface of 4% of the horses with skin disease, and on none of the horses with healthy skin. Yeasts were not found.
Calcinosis involving multiple paws in a cat with chronic renal failure and in a cat with hyperthyroidism
Authors: DECLERCQ J. , BHATTI S.
Published: February 2005

Abstract Calcinosis of multiple paws is described in two cats. A metastatic pathogenesis was supported by the laboratory findings of hyperphosphataemia and a calcium × phosphorus solubility product > 7 g/L. Hyperparathyroidism could not be confirmed because a valid feline parathyroid hormone assay was not available at the time. One cat was diagnosed with chronic renal failure and presented initially with an irregular nodular calcification on the chin. Dietary and medical management was unsuccessful and ultimately the animal was euthanased. Hyperthyroidism was diagnosed in another cat by laboratory findings and scintigraphic imaging. In addition, the cat had a hyperphosphataemia in the absence of azotaemia. Intravenous administration of radioactive iodine as131I was accompanied by reduction and normalization in serum total thyroxine and phosphorus concentrations and resulted in resolution of calcification in the paws.
The biology ofMalasseziaorganisms and their ability to induce immune responses and skin disease
Authors: CHEN TAI‐AN , HILL PETER B.
Published: February 2005

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction 4

History and taxonomy of the genusMalassezia 5

Biological characteristics ofMalasseziaorganisms 5

Structure 5

Reproduction 6

Biochemistry 6

Distribution ofMalasseziaorganisms on the host 6

Immunological and epidermal responses toMalasseziaorganisms 7

The immune response toMalasseziaorganisms 7

Antigen release, penetration and presentation 8

Cell‐mediated immune responses 8

IgG, IgM and IgA responses toMalasseziaorganisms 9

IgE responses toMalasseziaorganisms 10

Mast cell responses 11

Epidermal responses associated withMalasseziadermatitis 12

Malasseziaorganisms as pathogens in humans and animals 13

Diseases associated withMalasseziaspp. in humans 13

Pityriasis versicolor 13

Malasseziafolliculitis 13

Seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff 14

Atopic dermatitis 14

Malasseziafungaemia 14

Diseases associated withMalasseziaspp. in animals 15

Malasseziadermatitis in dogs 15

Predisposing factors for overgrowth ofMalassezia pachydermatis 15

Pathogenesis 16

Clinical features 16

Diagnosis 17

Treatment 18

Conclusions 19

References 19
Impact of sample storage on detection of periodontal bacteria
Authors: Katsoulis J. , Heitz‐Mayfield L. J. R. , Weibel M. , Hirschi R. , Lang N. P. , Persson G. R.
Published: February 2005

Background/aims:  Information on the impact of sample storage prior to analysis by DNA methods is limited. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of subgingival sample storage on bacterial detection and enumeration.

Material and methods:  Subgingival plaque samples were studied by a) checkerboard DNA–DNA hybridization by immediate processing, b) storage at + 4°C for 6 weeks, c) storage at − 20°C for 6 months or d) storage at − 20°C for 12 months.

Results:  No differences in total DNA were found between protocol 1 and 2, or between protocol 3 and 4. Protocol 1 yielded 2.4 times more total bacterial DNA than did protocol 3 (P < 0.001). Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans and Campylobacter gracilis were detected in 21.1% of the immediately processed samples but only in 6.6% of the samples after 12 months of storage. Similar changes were noticed for Treponema denticola, which was detected in 22.3% and 9.2%, respectively. Streptococci spp., Fusobacterium nucleatum and Tannerella forsythia did not seem to be affected by storage. In contrast, the level of Campylobacter rectus detection frequency changed from 2.6% if processed immediately to 15.8% if samples were stored for 12 months.

Conclusions:  In longitudinal clinical studies including microbiological samples and processed with DNA–DNA hybridization methods, samples should be stored for the same period of time before processing to avoid loss of microbiological information.
Study of anticandidal activity of carvacrol and eugenol in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Chami N. , Bennis S. , Chami F. , Aboussekhra A. , Remmal A.
Published: February 2005

Background/aims:  The mechanism of the anticandidal action of the major phenolic components of oregano and clove essential oils – carvacrol and eugenol – was studied. This activity was also evaluated for the therapeutic efficacy in the treatment of the experimental oral candidiasis induced by Candida albicans in immunosuppressed rats.

Methods:  In vitro, the addition of carvacrol at 0.1% or eugenol at 0.2% during the exponential growth of C. albicans was evaluated. The release of substances absorbing at 280 nm by cells treated with these two components was also measured spectrophotometrically. In vivo, oral candidiasis in immunosuppressed rats was established by inoculating 3 × 108 cells of C. albicans with a cotton swab on three alternate days. The number of colony counts was evaluated from the oral cavity of rats treated for eight consecutive days with carvacrol, eugenol or nystatin and compared to untreated controls.

Results:  Carvacrol and eugenol were fungicidal in exponentially growing C. albicans. Interestingly, this fungicidal effect was accompanied by the release of substances absorbing at 280 nm. In an immunosuppressed rat model of oral candidiasis, carvacrol or eugenol treatment significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the number of colony counts sampled from the oral cavity of rats treated for eight consecutive days compared to untreated control rats. Similar results were obtained with nystatin used as a reference treatment.

Conclusion:  The in vitro results indicated that both carvacrol and eugenol exerted an anticandidal effect by a mechanism implicating an important envelope damage. Their in vivo efficacy on experimental oral candidiasis leads us to consider them as possible antifungal agents.
Immunolocalization of homogalacturonans in the apex of the long‐day plant Sinapis alba at floral transition. The pectin content drops dramatically in the first hours of this transition
Authors: Sobry Stéphanie , Havelange Andrée , Liners Françoise , Van Cutsem Pierre
Published: February 2005

The pectin content in the meristem of Sinapis alba at flowering transition was assessed in electron microscopy using immunocytochemistry and the monoclonal antibody 2F4 that recognizes a Ca2+‐induced supramolecular conformation of homogalacturonans (Liners et al. Plant Physiol 91: 1419–1424, 1989; Liners et al. Plant Physiol 99: 1099–1104, 1992). The meristem's pectins were not recognized at all by the 2F4 monoclonal antibody unless they were enzymatically (PME: pectin methylesterase) or chemically (NaOH) de‐esterified, indicating that native pectin must be largely esterified in the apical meristem. A striking but transient decrease of the homopolygalacturonic content of the meristem's cell walls occurred between 20 and 24 h after start of the inductive long day. These changes suggest a role for pectin in floral transition.
Muscle Metabolic Changes Associated with Long‐term Inhalation Anaesthesia in the Horse Analysed by Muscle Biopsy and Microdialysis Techniques
Authors: Edner A. , Essén‐Gustavsson B. , Nyman G.
Published: February 2005

During anaesthesia in the horse, muscle blood flow has been found to be reduced, possibly leading to hypoxia or ischaemia in the muscle. The aim of this study was to use the muscle biopsy and microdialysis techniques to determine whether long‐term inhalation anaesthesia in laterally recumbent horses induces metabolic changes in gluteal muscle indicative of anaerobic metabolism. Muscle biopsies and plasma samples were taken from seven horses at the start and end of halothane anaesthesia. In six isoflurane‐anaesthetised horses, given three pharmacological provocations (dobutamine, detomidine, acepromazine), repeated blood samples and microdialysis was performed during anaesthesia and muscle biopsies were taken before and at the end of anaesthesia. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP), adenosine diphosphate, adenosine monophosphate, inosine monophosphate (IMP) creatine phosphate and lactate concentrations did not differ between dependent and non‐dependent muscles at either sampling time. Creatine phosphate decreased in both the halothane (−38%) and isoflurane (−28%) group. In the halothane group, ATP was decreased (−15%) at the end of anaesthesia, while IMP was increased (+32%). Lactate in muscle and plasma increased in both groups. Lactate in dialysate increased after induction and remained elevated above plasma concentrations. These results show that long‐term inhalation anaesthesia in horses is associated with an anaerobic metabolic response within the muscle and that microdialysis can be used to detect metabolic changes within the muscle during equine anaesthesia.
Whither causal models in the neuroscience of ADHD?
Authors: Coghill Dave , Nigg Joel , Rothenberger Aribert , Sonuga‐Barke Edmund , Tannock Rosemary
Published: February 2005

In this paper we examine the current status of the science of ADHD from a theoretical point of view. While the field has reached the point at which a number of causal models have been proposed, it remains some distance away from demonstrating the viability of such models empirically. We identify a number of existing barriers and make proposals as to the best way for these to be overcome in future studies. These include the need to work across multiple levels of analysis in multidisciplinary teams; the need to recognize the existence of, and then model, causal heterogeneity; the need to integrate environmental and social processes into models of genetic and neurobiological influence; and the need to model developmental processes in a dynamic fashion. Such a model of science, although difficult to achieve, has the potential to provide the sort of framework for programmatic model‐based research required if the power and sophistication of new neuroscience technologies are to be effectively exploited.
Varieties of preschool hyperactivity: multiple pathways from risk to disorder
Authors: Sonuga‐Barke Edmund J.S. , Auerbach Judith , Campbell Susan B. , Daley David , Thompson Margaret
Published: February 2005

In this paper we examine the characteristics of preschool attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) from both mental disorder and developmental psychopathology points of view. The equivalence of preschool and school‐aged hyperactivity as a behavioral dimension is highlighted together with the potential value of extending the use of the ADHD diagnostic category to the preschool period where these behaviours take an extreme and impairing form (assuming age appropriate diagnostic items and thresholds can be developed). At the same time, the importance of identifying pathways between risk and later ADHD is emphasized. Developmental discontinuity and heterogeneity are identified as major characteristics of these pathways. We argue that models that distinguish among different developmental types of early‐emerging problems are needed. An illustrative taxonomy of four developmental pathways implicating preschool hyperactivity is presented to provide a framework for future research.
Infants’ enumeration of actions: numerical discrimination and its signature limits
Authors: Wood Justin N. , Spelke Elizabeth S.
Published: February 2005

Are abstract representations of number – representations that are independent of the particular type of entities that are enumerated – a product of human language or culture, or do they trace back to human infancy? To address this question, four experiments investigated whether human infants discriminate between sequences of actions (jumps of a puppet) on the basis of numerosity. At 6 months, infants successfully discriminated four‐ versus eight‐jump sequences, when the continuous variables of sequence duration, jump duration, jump rate, jump interval and duration, and extent of motion were controlled, and rhythm was eliminated. In contrast, infants failed to discriminate two‐ versus four‐jump sequences, suggesting that infants fail to form cardinal number representations of small numbers of actions. Infants also failed to discriminate between sequences of four versus six jumps at 6 months, and succeeded at 9 months, suggesting that infants’ number representations are imprecise and increase in precision with age. All of these findings agree with those of studies using visual–spatial arrays and auditory sequences, providing evidence that a single, abstract system of number representation is present and functional in infancy.
REGIONAL AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION SYSTEMS: ESTIMATES FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Authors: Ahammad Helal , Islam Nazrul
Published: February 2005

A regional model, be it computable general equilibrium or partial equilibrium in construct, which is based on the national parameters would certainly provide misleading results if the regional economy or sector is significantly different from its national counterpart. For a credible and useful quantitative analysis of the regional impacts of changes in, say, government policies or international events, one thus needs an empirically based economic model that reflects the key features of the regional economy or sector concerned. This is the motivation for this paper, which estimates a disaggregated agricultural production system for Western Australia (WA): a key farming State of Australia. The paper uses a profit function approach that explicitly recognizes jointness in agricultural production and various climatic zones in WA, and an estimation procedure that involves the Diewert–Wales decomposition technique. It presents estimates of elasticities of supply responses and input demands in WA agriculture, and compares these with the national estimates.
Political parties, electoral systems and democracy: A cross‐national analysis
Authors: HOFFMAN AMANDA L.
Published: February 2005

Abstract.  The number of political parties and the type of electoral system may impact the level of democratic functioning within a government. Models are used to explore whether the number of political parties increases a country's democracy score on the POLITY IV measure of democracy, and whether countries with proportional representation electoral systems have higher democracy scores than those without. Multiple regression analysis reveals that countries with proportional electoral systems have higher democracy scores. Countries involved in the Third Wave of democracy may find the choice of an electoral system among the most important issues in structuring a democratic government.
Genetic variation for dorsal–ventral patterning of the Drosophila melanogaster eggshell
Authors: Goering Lisa M. , Gibson Greg
Published: February 2005

Summary
Patterning of the insect eggshell is an excellent system for exploring the molecular basis of phenotypic variation. In Drosophila melanogaster, two dorsal–anterior respiratory appendages are produced in response to signaling through the Epidermal growth factor receptor (Egfr). Previous work implicates Egfr pathway function in both intraspecific variation for dorsal appendage spacing (DAS) on the eggshell, as well as interspecific differences in dorsal appendage number and location. To test the hypothesis that genetic variation in Egfr contributes to variation in eggshell patterning, we have made use of naturally occurring intraspecific variation for DAS as a model quantitative trait. We found that there is substantial segregating genetic variation for DAS in D. melanogaster, and have tested for associations with 289 common polymorphisms in the Egfr locus. A marginal association was seen with two polymorphic sites in Egfr; however, we failed to replicate these findings in a second population, or in a modified quantitative complementation test designed to specifically test the effects of the putative polymorphisms. Therefore, we conclude that the polymorphisms we have identified in Egfr do not contribute to variation in DAS, and further work is required to understand the genetic architecture of this trait.
Expression and role of E‐cadherin and CD103β7 (αEβ7 integrin) on cultured mucosal‐type mast cells
Authors: TEGOSHI TATSUYA , NISHIDA MINORU , ARIZONO NAOKI
Published: February 2005

Mucosal‐type mast cells (MMC) in the respiratory and/or gut epithelium play pivotal roles in the development of allergic inflammation and nematode clearance. To determine the role of E‐cadherin and αEβ7 integrin in MMC localization to the epithelium, we analyzed the epithelial binding of two types of mouse bone marrow‐derived mast cells: S3‐BMMC, which developed in medium containing stem cell factor (SCF) plus IL‐3, and S39T‐BMMC, which developed with SCF, IL‐3, IL‐9 and TGF‐β1. The latter cells were more similar to mature MMC than the former in terms of mouse mast cell protease (mMCP)‐1 expression. FACS analyses revealed that S3‐BMMC expressed E‐cadherin and β7 integrin but not αE integrin, whereas S39T‐BMMC expressed αEβ7 integrin as well as E‐cadherin. Mn2+ promoted adhesion of S39T‐BMMC to the monolayer of E‐cadherin+F9 cells. The adhesion was suppressed significantly by the combined addition of blocking antibodies against integrin αE and E‐cadherin, whereas either blocking antibody alone failed to do so. S3‐BMMC adhesion was suppressed by E‐cadherin blocking antibody but not by αE blocking antibody. These results suggested that E‐cadherin and αEβ7 integrin, which are expressed on MMC‐analog S39T‐BMMC, play an important role in mast cell‐epithelial cell interaction through homophilic as well as heterophilic binding to the epithelial E‐cadherin molecule.
Endometrial adenosquamous carcinoma with osteoclast‐like giant cells: immunohistochemistry and histogenesis
Authors: IMURA JOHJI , TOMITA SHIGEKI , ONO YUKO , INABA FUJIYUKI , YAMAZAKI TATSUO , FUKASAWA ICHIO , INABA NORIYUKI , FUJIMORI TAKAHIRO
Published: February 2005

Primary extraskeletal epithelial neoplasms containing osteoclast‐like giant cells (OGCs) are rare. We herein describe a case of adenosquamous carcinoma that developed in the endometrium together with non‐neoplastic OGCs. The patient was a 72‐year‐old woman who underwent radical hysterectomy with salpingo‐oophorectomy and lymph node dissection after being diagnosed with uterine cancer. Histologically, the tumor was found to be an adenosquamous carcinoma containing a large number of OGCs and mononuclear cells (MNCs) that had infiltrated into the stroma. Immunohistochemically, the OGCs and MNCs stained strongly positive for KP‐1 and alpha‐1‐antichymotrypsin, and negative for the epithelial markers epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) and cytokeratins. These findings suggest that the OGCs and MNCs in this patient's tumor originated from monocytes/histiocytes, and most likely developed as part of the stromal reaction to the neoplasm.
Validation of a Chinese version of the Dental Anxiety Inventory
Authors: Ng Sam K. S. , Stouthard Marlies E. A. , Keung Leung W.
Published: February 2005

Abstract –  Objectives:  To translate the English version of Dental Anxiety Inventory (DAxI) and its short‐form (SDAxI) and to validate their use in Hong Kong Chinese.

Methods:  The DAxI and SDAxI were translated into Chinese. A total of 500 adults (18–64 years) were interviewed, the Chinese DAxI, Symptom Checklist 90 (SCL‐90), Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS) and State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) were completed. Based on their initial DAxI scores, 135 interviewees were invited to attend a dental examination 1 month later. Then, the subjects completed the DAxI again, together with Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) which measured the state anxiety level of the participants. Two months after the initial interview, all 500 subjects were asked to complete the DAxI again. Another 300 adults were recruited and interviewed for the SDAxI validation.

Results:  Cronbach's alpha of the Chinese DAxI and SDAxI were 0.77 and 0.80 and the test–retest correlation coefficients were 0.90 and 0.84, respectively. High correlation between BAI and DAxI scores and its stability over time supported construct validity of the Chinese DAxI. Small positive correlations between the DAxI and other subscales of the SCL‐90, DASS and STAI supported discriminant validity of the instrument. The SDAxI demonstrated comparable validity and reliability with DAxI.

Conclusion:  The translated Chinese DAxI demonstrated good validity and reliability. It is available for use in dental anxiety research in adult Chinese. In situations where a short‐form is desirable, the Chinese SDAxI is a simple, valid, reliable and interpretable scale for measuring dental anxiety in both research and dental practice.
Cross‐cultural validation of a short form of the Oral Health Impact Profile for temporomandibular disorders
Authors: Segù Marzia , Collesano Vittorio , Lobbia Sonia , Rezzani Cristiana
Published: February 2005

Abstract –  Objectives:  We set out to develop and validate an Italian version of the Oral Health Impact Profile Questionnaire (OHIP) that is appropriate for use in temporomandibular disorders (TMD).

Methods:  At first, we had the questionnaire translated from English into Italian by three bilingual individuals whose mother tongue was Italian and thus had three different versions of the questionnaire. These were translated back into English by a native English speaker and the version closest to the original English OHIP was selected. The validation of a questionnaire generally involves the study of the psychometric properties of the instrument: its validity and reliability. Before studying these properties, we assessed the factorial structure of the questionnaire.

Results:  The number of eigenvalues >1, computed by exploratory factor analysis, was seven. The percentage of cumulative variability explained by a model with six dimensions is 66, whereas that explained by a model with seven dimensions is 70. Therefore, considering that the increment of explained variability due to the seventh dimension is low (3.68%) and that the seventh eigenvalue is very close to 1, we considered a six‐factor model capable of explaining the factorial structure of the data. Content analysis suggested eliminating the item ‘Felt Self‐conscious’, as most of the subjects did not understand its meaning. Spearman correlation coefficients showed an association between the scores of all the different subscales and the variable for pain. All the coefficients were significantly different from 0 (P < 0.05). Cronbach's alpha value, always >0.70, showed quite a good reliability for each of the six subscales.

Conclusions:  These results reveal a reasonable degree of cross‐cultural consistency between the two versions of the OHIP, and thus indicate that our Italian version is valid.
Level Systems: Inpatient Programming Whose Time Has Passed
Authors: Mohr Wanda K. , Pumariega Andres J.
Published: February 2005

TOPIC. Structuring of inpatient behavioral programming in child‐adolescent psychiatric, residential treatment, and juvenile justice settings.

PURPOSE. To review the underlying theory underpinning current practices and recommend remedies to the uncovered problems.

SOURCES. A review of the literature from 1965 to 2001 from selected nursing and medical psychiatric and mental health publications.

CONCLUSIONS. Intensive professional and staff education and greater precision in communication about patients' behaviors are needed in many settings. There is also a need to move away from generic treatment approaches and return to individual treatment planning based on individual assessments and the unique needs of an increasingly volatile and complex in‐patient population.
Self-reported workplace related ergonomic conditions as prognostic factors for musculoskeletal symptoms: the “BIT” follow up study on office workers
Authors: Juul-Kristensen B , Jensen C
Published: February 2005

Aims:To identify prognostic ergonomic and work technique factors for musculoskeletal symptoms among office workers and in a subgroup with highly monotonous repetitive computer work.

Methods:A baseline questionnaire was delivered to 5033 office workers in 11 Danish companies in the first months of 1999, and a follow up questionnaire was mailed in the last months of 2000 to 3361 respondents. A subgroup with highly monotonous repetitive computer work was formed including those that were repeating the same movements and/or tasks for at least 75% of the work time. The questionnaire contained questions on ergonomic factors and factors related to work technique. The outcome variables were based on the frequency of musculoskeletal symptoms during the last 12 months. Logistic regression analyses were used to identify prognostic factors for symptoms in the three body regions.

Results:In total, 39%, 47%, and 51% of the symptomatic subjects had a reduced frequency of symptom days in the neck/shoulder, low back, or elbow/hand region, respectively. In all regions more men than women had reduced symptoms. In the multivariate logistic regression analyses, working no more than 75% of the work time with the computer was a prognostic factor for musculoskeletal symptoms in the neck/shoulder and elbow/hand, and a high influence on the speed of work was a prognostic factor for symptoms in the low back. In the subgroup with highly monotonous repetitive computer work, the odds ratios of the prognostic factors were similar to those for the whole group of office workers.

Conclusion:When organising computer work it is important to allow for physical variation with other work tasks, thereby avoiding working with the computer during all the work time, and further to consider the worker’s own influence on the speed of work.
Exposure to welding fumes is associated with acute systemic inflammatory responses
Authors: Kim J Y , Chen J-C , Boyce P D , Christiani D C
Published: February 2005

Aims:To investigate the acute systemic inflammatory response to welding fume exposure.

Methods:Twenty four welders (42% smokers) and 13 non-exposed controls (23% smokers) were monitored at a welding school. Exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) was assessed using cyclone samplers. Markers of systemic inflammation, including C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen, and white blood cell (WBC) levels, were determined in peripheral blood samples collected at baseline and after 5.3 (SD 1.0) hours of exposure.

Results:The median PM2.5concentration for welders was 1.66 mg/m3, which was significantly greater than that for controls (0.04 mg/m3). Compared to non-smokers, smokers had a significantly higher baseline WBC count, but comparable levels of CRP and fibrinogen. In non-smokers, welding fume exposure was associated with a significant increase in WBC and neutrophil counts immediately following exposure (+0.8×103/μl, 95% CI 0.1 to 1.6, and +1.0×103/μl, 95% CI 0.4 to 1.7, respectively). A significant decrease in fibrinogen levels was observed in non-smokers (−32 mg/dl, 95% CI −63 to −1). No significant changes in WBC, neutrophil, and fibrinogen levels were found in smokers. Sixteen hours after welding exposure, CRP levels were found to be significantly increased in both non-smokers and smokers (0.90 mg/l, 95% CI 0.17 to 1.64). PM2.5concentrations were found to be significantly associated with absolute neutrophil counts in non-smokers, and CRP levels in both non-smokers and smokers.

Conclusions:High levels of welding fume exposure induce acute systemic inflammation in a relatively young, healthy working population. These results also suggest that smoking may modify the effect of welding fume exposure on specific inflammatory markers.
The procoagulant potential of environmental particles (PM10)
Authors: Gilmour P S , Morrison E R , Vickers M A , Ford I , Ludlam C A , Greaves M , Donaldson K , MacNee W
Published: February 2005

Background and Aims:Epidemiology studies have shown that cardiovascular (CV) disease is primarily responsible for the mortality associated with increased pulmonary environmental particle (PM10) exposure. The mechanisms involved in PM10mediated CV effects are unknown although changes in plasma viscosity and in the homoeostasis of blood coagulation have been implicated. It was hypothesised that PM10exposure would result in an inflammatory response and enhance the activation of the extrinsic coagulation mechanisms in pulmonary and vascular cells in culture.

Methods:Primary human monocyte derived macrophages and human umbilical cord vein endothelial, human alveolar type II epithelial (A549), and human bronchial epithelial (16HBE) cells were tested for their inflammatory and procoagulant response to PM10exposure. IL-8, tissue factor (TF), and tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) gene expression and protein release, and coagulation enhancing ability of culture media were determined 6 and 24 hours following exposure.

Results:The culture media from macrophages and 16HBE bronchial epithelial cells, but not A549 cells, exposed to PM10had an enhanced ability to cause clotting. Furthermore, H2O2also increased the clotting activity. Apoptosis was significantly increased in macrophages exposed to PM10and LPS as shown by annexin V binding. TF gene expression was enhanced in macrophages exposed to PM10, and HUVEC tissue factor and tPA gene and protein expression were inhibited.

Conclusions:These data indicate that PM10has the ability to alter macrophage, epithelial, and endothelial cell function to favour blood coagulation via activation of the extrinsic pathway and inhibition of fibrinolysis pathways.
Total body burden arising from a week’s repeated dermal exposure to N,N-dimethylformamide
Authors: Chang H-Y , Tsai C-Y , Lin Y-Q , Shih T-S , Lin W-C
Published: February 2005

Background:Hazardous chemicals and their metabolites may accumulate in the body following repeated airborne exposures and skin contact.

Aims:To estimate the contribution of skin absorption to total body burden of N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) across a working week in two groups with similar levels of respiratory exposure but dissimilar skin contact.

Methods:Twenty five workers in a synthetic leather (SL) factory, 20 in a copper laminate circuit board (CLCB) factory, and 20 age and sex matched non-DMF exposed subjects, were recruited. Environmental monitoring of DMF exposure via respiratory and dermal routes, as well as biological monitoring of pre-shift urinary N-methylformamide (U-NMF), were performed for five consecutive working days.

Results:Environmental and biological monitoring showed no detectable exposure in controls. The average airborne DMF concentration (geometric mean (GM) 3.98 ppm, geometric standard deviation (GSD) 1.91 ppm), was insignificantly lower for SL workers than for CLCB workers (GM 4.49, GSD 1.84 ppm). Dermal DMF exposure and U-NMF values, however, were significantly higher for SL workers. A significant pattern of linear accumulation was found across a five day work cycle for SL workers but not for CLCB workers.

Conclusions:Dermal exposure to DMF over five consecutive days of occupational exposure can result in the accumulation of a significant DMF body burden. The long term exposure response under both repeated and intermittent conditions of substantial skin exposure is worthy of note.