bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Testing phylogenetic hypotheses for reconstructing the evolutionary history of Dolichopoda cave crickets in the eastern Mediterranean
Authors: Allegrucci Giuliana , Rampini Mauro , Gratton Paolo , Todisco Valentina , Sbordoni Valerio
Published: May 2009

Aim  To investigate the molecular phylogenetic divergence and historical biogeography of cave crickets belonging to the genus Dolichopoda (Orthoptera, Rhaphidophoridae).

Location  Caves in continental and insular Greece.

Methods  We sequenced 1967 bp of mitochondrial DNA, corresponding to three fragments of the small and large subunit of the ribosomal RNA (16S and 12S rRNA, respectively) and to the subunit I of cytochrome oxidase (COI), to reconstruct phylogenetic relationships among all 30 known Greek species of Dolichopoda. Alternative hypotheses about the colonization of the Hellenic Peninsula by Dolichopoda species were tested by comparing the degree of discordance between species trees and gene trees under four plausible biogeographical scenarios.

Results  The present study revealed a rather well resolved phylogeny at species level, identifying a number of clades that represent long‐separated lineages and diverse evolutionary histories within the genus Dolichopoda. Two main clades were revealed within Hellenic–Aegean species, identifying a north‐western and a south‐eastern species group. Based on Bayesian analysis, we applied a relaxed molecular clock to estimate the divergence times between the lineages. The results revealed that the origins of eastern Mediterranean lineages are much older than those of previously studied western Mediterranean Dolichopoda. Tests of alternative biogeographical hypotheses showed that a double colonization of the Hellenic Peninsula, following separate continental and trans‐Aegean routes during the Messinian stage, best accounts for the present distribution of Greek Dolichopoda species.

Main conclusions  Reconstruction and biogeographical hypothesis testing indicated that the colonization of Greece by Dolichopoda species comprised two episodes and two different routes. The southern lineage probably arose from a trans‐Aegean colonization during the Messinian salinity crisis (5.96–5.33 Ma). The northern lineage could be the result of dispersal from the north through the Balkan Peninsula. The opening of the Mid‐Aegean Trench could have promoted an initial diversification within the uprising Anatolian Plateau, while the Messinian marine regression offered the conditions for a rapid dispersal through the whole Aegean–Hellenic region. In addition, climatic events during the Plio‐Pleistocene may have been responsible for the speciation within each of the two different phylogeographical units, principally attributable to vicariance events.
Are (the log‐odds of) hospital mortality rates normally distributed? Implications for studying variations in outcomes of medical care
Authors: Austin Peter C.
Published: May 2009

Rationale Hierarchical regression models are increasingly being used to examine variations in outcomes following the provision of medical care across providers. These models frequently assume a normal distribution for the provider‐specific random effects. The appropriateness of this assumption for examining variations in health care outcomes has never been explicitly tested.

Aims and Objectives To compare hierarchical logistic regression models in which the provider‐specific random effects were either a normal distribution or a mixture of three normal distributions.

Methods We used data on 18 825 patients admitted to 109 hospitals in Ontario with a diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction. We used the Deviance Information Criterion, Bayes factors and predictive distributions to compare the evidence between the two competing models.

Results There was strong evidence that the distribution of hospital‐specific log‐odds of mortality was a mixture of three normal distributions compared to the evidence that it was normal. In some scenarios, the hospital‐specific posterior tail probabilities of unacceptably high mortality were lower when a logistic‐normal model was fit compared to when a logistic‐mixture of normal distributions model was fit. Additionally, in these same scenarios, fewer hospitals were classified as having higher than acceptable mortality when the logistic‐mixture of three normal distributions was used.

Conclusions These findings have important consequences for those who use hierarchical models to examine variations in outcomes of medical care across providers since the mixture of three normal distributions model indicated that variations in outcomes across providers was greater than indicated by the logistic‐normal model.
Perceptions of the impact of a large‐scale collaborative improvement programme: experience in the UK Safer Patients Initiative
Authors: Benn Jonathan , Burnett Susan , Parand Anam , Pinto Anna , Iskander Sandra , Vincent Charles
Published: May 2009

Rationale and aims  In several countries, collaborative improvement programmes involving multiple health care organizations have been developed to address the issue of patient safety and reliability of care at an organization‐wide level. In the UK, the Health Foundation's Safer Patients Initiative (SPI) was developed to achieve breakthrough improvement in the quality and safety of care in 24 acute hospital Trusts between 2004 and 2008. Research evidence for the effectiveness of programmes of this type and the mechanisms by which positive outcomes are achieved remains limited. We report a multi‐method preliminary study based upon phase 1 of SPI to understand participant's perceptions of the local impact of the programme and to form the basis of future research in this area.

Methods  Data were collected on the perceived local impact of SPI on a range of clinical, organizational and social dimensions relating to care quality and safety. Data were collected retrospectively from local SPI programme improvement teams using semi‐structured interviews and surveys. Qualitative and quantitative analyses were performed, and the results synthesized under common themes and frameworks.

Results  Specific dimensions of care systems commonly considered to be affected by SPI, included culture, strategic priority, organizational capability and clinical care delivery. Survey data revealed the perceived importance for success of a range of programme components: quality improvement methodology, learning sessions and programme faculty support, along with predefined clinical practice changes. Safety climate and capability dimensions rated as most sensitive to the effects of the SPI programme related to multi‐professional engagement and communication, the degree of routine monitoring of care processes and the capacity to evaluate the impact of changes to clinical work systems.

Conclusions  Study findings support the view that programmes such as SPI have considerable impact upon the cultural, inter‐professional, strategic and organizational aspects of care delivery, in addition to clinical working practices. The specific implications for understanding the effects of complex organization‐level interventions and future research design are discussed.
Autologous blood donor screening indicated a lower prevalence of viral hepatitis in East vs West Germany: epidemiological benefit from established health resources
Authors: Wiegand J. , Luz B. , Mengelkamp A.‐K. , Moog R. , Koscielny J. , Halm‐Heinrich I. , Susemihl C. , Bentzien F. , Diekmann J. , Wernet D. , Karger R. , Angert K. , Schmitt‐Thomssen A. , Kiefel V. , Lutter K. , Hesse R. , Kätzel R. , Opitz A. , Luhm J. , Barz D. , Leib U. , Matthes G. , Tillmann H. L.
Published: May 2009

Summary.  Prevalence data concerning viral hepatitis and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the general population are usually scarce. We aimed for a large cohort representative of the general population that required little funding. Autologous blood donors are relatively representative of the general population, and are tested for viral hepatitis and HIV in many countries. However, frequently these data are not captured for epidemiologic purposes. We analysed data from well over 35 000 autologous blood donors as recorded in 21 different transfusion centres for anti‐hepatitis C virus (HCV), HBsAg and anti‐HIV, as well as TPHA if available. We found a lower prevalence of hepatitis B virus and HCV in East vs West Germany, 0.2%vs 0.32% and 0.16%vs 0.32% respectively, which confirms earlier data in smaller cohorts, thus supporting the value of our approach. HIV was too rare to disclose significant differences, 0.01%vs 0.02%. TPHA was higher in East (0.34%) vs West Germany (0.29%) without significant differences. HCV was more frequent in women vs men. Transfusion institutes managing autologous blood donations should be used as a resource for epidemiological data relating to viral hepatitis and HIV, if such testing is performed routinely. This approach generates data relating to the general population with especial emphasis on undiagnosed cases.
Hepatitis C virus infection is a risk factor for gallstone disease: a prospective hospital‐based study of patients with chronic viral C hepatitis
Authors: Acalovschi M. , Buzas C. , Radu C. , Grigorescu M.
Published: May 2009

Summary.  We evaluated the prevalence and the risk factors for gallstone disease in patients with chronic hepatitis C infection. We investigated 453 consecutively admitted patients with chronic infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) (cirrhosis excluded) and 879 patients without liver disease (October 2006–April 2007). Gallstone disease was diagnosed if gallstones were present at ultrasonography or if there had been a previous cholecystectomy. Variables evaluated were age, gender, gallstone heredity, body mass index, waist circumference, parity, serum lipids, fatty liver, arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome (International Diabetes Federation criteria). Informed consent was obtained from all patients. We found that 88 of 453 (19%) patients with chronic HCV hepatitis (age 50.1 ± 11.7 years) and 153 of 879 (17%) controls (age 60.6 ± 12.6 years) had gallstone disease (GD). Abdominal obesity (OR = 2.108, 95% CI 1.287–3.452) and steatosis (OR = 3.699, 95% CI 2.277–6.008) were risk factors for GD in HCV patients. Gallstone heredity, dyslipidaemia, type 2 diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome increased the risk for GD in controls vs HCV patients. Our study shows that even HCV patients with chronic hepatitis but not cirrhosis have an increased prevalence of gallstones. Compared with controls, gallstones are present in HCV patients at a younger age and are associated with central obesity and liver steatosis, but not with gallstone heredity, dyslipidaemia, diabetes mellitus or metabolic syndrome. Although we could not establish a temporal relationship, the association between HCV infection and gall stone disease is real and appears to be causally linked, at least in predisposed individuals (obese and with liver steatosis).
Comparative population dynamics of the bug Mepraia spinolai, a sylvatic vector of Chagas’ disease, in different hosts
Authors: ACUÑA‐RETAMAR M. , BOTTO‐MAHAN C. , CANALS M. , CORREA J. P. , CATTAN P. E.
Published: May 2009

Abstract The aim of this work was to determine the impact of specific hosts on a population of Mepraia spinolai (Porter) (Hemiptera, Reduviidae), a sylvatic vector of Chagas’ disease in Chile. We assessed whether a recently introduced host could be an important epidemiological factor in maintaining Chagas’ disease in Chile. The study stressed the variations in survival, individual weight and fecundity in the insect population when the vector was raised with a species‐specific food supply. The study compared the European rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus, introduced in Chile ≤ 150 years ago, with a wild endemic rodent, Octodon degus. Hosts were placed separately in experimental glass chambers. Groups of insects maintained with rabbits had greater fecundity than those raised with rodents, but both groups had similar survival times and average weights. Both O. degus and the European rabbit appear to be suitable hosts for M. spinolai, but the rabbit is better than the rodent. Additional research is needed to determine which factors of O. cuniculus produce the observed results.
A preliminary study of insect fauna on pig carcasses located in sugarcane in winter in southeastern Brazil
Authors: GOMES L. , GOMES G. , DESUÓ I. C.
Published: May 2009

Minimum post‐mortem intervals can be estimated based on analyses of the pattern of insect succession on a carcass. In order to successfully apply this approach, insect development rates must be considered with regard to local regional climatic conditions. This study is the first to analyse insect succession on carcasses decomposing in a sugarcane crop in Brazil. In all seasons,Chrysomya albiceps(Wiedemann) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) andCochliomyia macellaria(Fabricius) were frequent visitors during the fresh and bloated stages of decomposition, whereasDermestes maculatus(De Geer) (Coleoptera: Dermistdae),Necrobia rufipes(De Geer) (Coleoptera: Cleridae) andOxelytrumsp. (Coleoptera: Silphidae) were characteristic at the most advanced decomposition stages. The fact that climatic variations influence the occurrence of insect species and vegetation in the tropics may help to solve crimes through sampling of the local insect fauna, as may the fact that only certain groups of insects occur in specific regions of large countries like Brazil.
Distribution and ecology of mosquitoes in a focus of dirofilariasis in northwestern Iran, with the first finding of filarial larvae in naturally infected local mosquitoes
Authors: AZARI ‐ HAMIDIAN S. , YAGHOOBI ‐ ERSHADI M. R. , JAVADIAN E. , ABAI M. R. , MOBEDI I. , LINTON Y.‐M. , HARBACH R. E.
Published: May 2009

A study of the distribution and ecology of mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) in Ardebil Province of northwestern Iran, with special reference to the known dirofilariasis focus in Meshkinshahr County, was carried out in July‐August 2005 and April‐October 2006. In total, 17 533 adult mosquitoes and 3090 third‐ and fourth‐instar larvae were collected on 14 occasions and identified using morphological characters and DNA sequence data. Twenty species belonging to seven genera were found: Anopheles claviger (Meigen), An. hyrcanus (Pallas), An. maculipennis Meigen, An. pseudopictus Grassi*, An. sacharovi Favre, An. superpictus Grassi, Aedes vexans (Meigen)*, Coquillettidia richiardii (Ficalbi)*, Culex hortensis Ficalbi, Cx. modestus Ficalbi, Cx. pipiens Linnaeus, Cx. theileri Theobald, Cx. torrentium Martini*, Cx. tritaeniorhynchus Giles, Culiseta longiareolata (Macquart), Cs. annulata (Schrank)*, Cs. subochrea (Edwards), Ochlerotatus caspius (Pallas) s.l.* (= Aedes caspius sensu auctorum), Oc. geniculatus (Olivier)* (= Aedes geniculatus sensu auctorum) and Uranotaenia unguiculata Edwards (asterisks indicate new occurrence records for the province). The most prevalent species in adult catches were An. maculipennis (52%), Cx. theileri (45%) and Cx. hortensis (1%); the most prevalent species caught as larvae were Cx. theileri (27%), Cx. hortensis (21%) and An. maculipennis (19%). Anopheles maculipennis, Cx. pipiens and Cx. theileri were most widely distributed in the province. The occurrence of Cx. torrentium in Iran is verified based on differential characters of fourth‐instar larvae. Anopheles maculipennis and An. sacharovi of the Maculipennis Group were identified from their diagnostic ITS2 sequences. For the first time, cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) sequences were obtained from Iranian specimens of An. hyrcanus, An. pseudopictus, Cx. theileri and Oc. caspiuss.l. Culex theileri and An. maculipennis were found naturally infected with third‐stage (infective) larvae of Dirofilaria immitis (Leidy) and Setaria labiatopapillosa (Alessandrini) (Spirurida: Onchocercidae), respectively, for the first time in Iran.
Aspects of the bionomics of Phlebotomus sergenti sandflies from an endemic area of anthroponotic cutaneous leishmaniasis in Aleppo Governorate, Syria
Authors: MAROLI M. , JALOUK L. , AL AHMED M. , BIANCHI R. , BONGIORNO G. , KHOURY C. , GRADONI L.
Published: May 2009

Aspects of the bionomics of phlebotomine sandflies (Diptera: Psychodidae) were studied from June to November 2005 in three foci of anthroponotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) in Aleppo Governorate, Syria, where the agent Leishmania tropica (Wright) (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae) is transmitted by Phlebotomus sergenti Parrot. Syria has been designated by the World Health Organization as one of four countries in the Old World where cutaneous leishmaniasis is hyperendemic, but little is known about the biology of local vector populations. Standard collections by sticky traps showed two peaks in density, in June and late August. In total, 1840 sandflies were caught, comprising five species: Phlebotomus papatasi (Scopoli) (68.0%); P. sergenti (25.4%); Sergentomyia minuta (Rondani) (6.4%); Phlebotomus tobbi Adler & Theodor (0.1%), and Phlebotomus mascittii canaaniticus Adler & Theodor (0.1%). Similar numbers of P. sergenti were caught indoors (246 specimens) and outdoors (222), whereas P. papatasi was significantly more abundant indoors (1096 specimens) than outdoors (156) (χ2 = 241, P < 0.01). In total, 212 blood‐fed females were tested for host blood determination, of which 176 (83.0%) reacted with anti‐species reagent. Results from 20 P. sergenti suggest that this species is an opportunistic feeder, imbibing human, ovine, avian, bovine and feline blood, although more bloodmeals were taken from humans and cattle than expected in relation to the relative proportions of potential hosts present (the forage ratio, FR). The bionomics of P. sergenti are discussed in relation to the inefficacy of control campaigns based on indoor spraying with residual insecticides that have been implemented by the Syrian Ministry of Health to control the epidemics of ACL in the Aleppo Governorate.
Translation regulation of integrons gene cassette expression by the attC sites
Authors: Jacquier Hervé , Zaoui Caroline , Sanson‐le Pors Marie‐Jose , Mazel Didier , Berçot Béatrice
Published: May 2009

Integron are genetic elements able to carry, capture and shuffle the genes embedded in gene cassettes. The attC recombination sites adopt a stable secondary structure when single‐stranded that is necessary for their recombination. In this study, we evaluated the impact of the structure of the attC site on expression of the 3′ gene in class 1 integrons. This was analysed by substituting the attC of the blaIMP‐8 gene cassette with various mutated attC sites spanning a wide range of sizes and secondary structures, and measuring the integron‐dependent translation of the 3′aac(6′)‐Ib7 gene. In the resulting constructs, the 5′‐attC site differentially affected the expression of the aac(6′)‐Ib7 gene. Contrary to what was expected from their proposed role as Rho‐independent transcription terminators, the transcription of the aac(6′)‐Ib7 gene was not affected by the various attC sites. Mutations of natural sites revealed that destabilization of the potential stem‐loop structure of the attC site in the transcript could enhance the expression of the 3′ gene. In particular, the presence of a translated open reading frame was shown to increase translation of the 3′ gene. These findings might be explained by the capacity of the stem‐loop structures to impede ribosome progression.
Lymphocyte migration through the blood–brain barrier (BBB) in feline immunodeficiency virus infection is significantly influenced by the pre‐existence of virus and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α within the central nervous system (CNS): studies using an in vitro feline BBB model
Authors: Fletcher N. F. , Bexiga M. G. , Brayden D. J. , Brankin B. , Willett B. J. , Hosie M. J. , Jacque J.‐M. , Callanan J. J.
Published: May 2009

Aims: In human immunodeficiency virus infection, macrophage‐tropic and lymphotropic viruses exist in the host. Central nervous system (CNS) infection is an early and ongoing event, important to understand when developing strategies to treat infection. Some knowledge exists on macrophage‐tropic virus interactions with the blood–brain barrier (BBB), and the aim of this study was to investigate lymphotropic lentivirus interactions with the BBB. Methods: Interactions of the lymphotropic feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) with an in vitro model of the feline BBB were evaluated in scenarios to mimic in vivo infections. Results: Cell‐free FIV crossed the BBB in very low quantities, and in the presence of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, BBB integrity was unaffected. However, cell‐associated FIV readily crossed the BBB, but BBB integrity was not significantly altered. Transmigration of uninfected and infected lymphocytes increased in response to TNF‐α, accompanied by a moderate disruption of barrier integrity and an upregulation of vascular cell adhesion molecule‐1 rather than intercellular adhesion molecule‐1. Significant enhancement of migration and disruption of BBB tight junctions occurred when infected cells and TNF‐α were added to the brain side of the BBB and this enhancement was not mediated through additional TNF‐α production. Conclusions: Small quantities of virus in the brain together with TNF‐α have the potential to stimulate greater cell and viral entry into the CNS and this is likely to involve important factors other than further TNF‐α production. Lymphotropic lentivirus entry to the CNS is governed by many factors similar to macrophage‐tropic strains.
Braided rivers within an arid alluvial plain (example from the Lower Triassic, western German Basin): recognition criteria and expression of stratigraphic cycles
Authors: BOURQUIN S. , GUILLOCHEAU F. , PÉRON S.
Published: May 2009

Based on a detailed sedimentological analysis of Lower Triassic continental deposits in the western Germanic sag Basin (i.e. the eastern part of the present‐day Paris Basin: the ‘Conglomérat basal’, ‘Grès vosgien’ and ‘Conglomérat principal’ Formations), three main depositional environments were identified: (i) braided rivers in an arid alluvial plain with some preserved aeolian dunes and very few floodplain deposits; (ii) marginal erg (i.e. braided rivers, aeolian dunes and aeolian sand‐sheets); and (iii) playa lake (an ephemeral lake environment with fluvial and aeolian sediments). Most of the time, aeolian deposits in arid environments that are dominated by fluvial systems are poorly preserved and particular attention should be paid to any sedimentological marker of aridity, such as wind‐worn pebbles (ventifacts), sand‐drift surfaces and aeolian sand‐sheets. In such arid continental environments, stratigraphic surfaces of allocyclic origin correspond to bounding surfaces of regional extension. Elementary stratigraphic cycles, i.e. the genetic units, have been identified for the three main continental environments: the fluvial type, fluvial–aeolian type and fluvial/playa lake type. At the time scale of tens to hundreds of thousands of years, these high‐frequency cycles of climatic origin are controlled either by the groundwater level in the basin or by the fluvial siliciclastic sediment input supplied from the highland. Lower Triassic deposits from the Germanic Basin are preserved mostly in endoreic basins. The central part of the basin is arid but the rivers are supplied with water by precipitation falling on the remnants of the Hercynian (Variscan)–Appalachian Mountains. Consequently, a detailed study of alluvial plain facies provides indications of local climatic conditions in the place of deposition, whereas fluvial systems only reflect climatic conditions of the upstream erosional catchments.
Making effective use of existing data for case‐by‐case risk assessments of genetically engineered crops
Authors: Romeis J. , Lawo N. C. , Raybould A.
Published: May 2009

Many crops in developing countries suffer devastating attacks from insect pests. Expression of insecticidal proteins in genetically engineered (GE) crops is a potentially powerful means of controlling such pests. Potentially harmful effects of these crops on non‐target organisms (NTOs) is of major concern as many of those provide important ecological functions such as pest regulation. Consequently, the likelihood of adverse effects of insect‐resistant GE crops on NTOs is assessed case‐by‐case as part of environmental risk assessments that inform regulatory decision‐making. While risk assessments should be rigorous, it is vital that regulatory barriers do not unnecessarily restrict or prevent the application of genetic engineering to important crops in those countries. Efficient regulatory decision‐making should make effective use of published information on the biology and ecology of the crop in the country where approval is sought, along with regulatory data produced for GE insect‐resistant crops that have received regulatory approvals elsewhere. Just as the risks are assessed for each GE crop individually, the amount of new regulatory data required for a GE crop should vary between crops depending on the amount of existing data and the severity of the perceived risks: new data should be collected only if existing data do not corroborate identified risk hypotheses with sufficient certainty. In this paper, we illustrate how such an approach could work using risks to NTOs from insect‐resistant GE pigeonpea in India as an example.
Opioid receptor antagonist promotes angiogenesis in bile duct ligated rats
Authors: Faramarzi Negar , Abbasi Ata , Tavangar Seyed M , Mazouchi Marjan , Dehpour Ahmad R
Published: May 2009

Background and Aim:  Angiogenesis, formation of new capillaries from existing vasculature, plays a pivotal role in different pathological states such as many chronic inflammatory diseases including the chronic liver diseases. There is increasing evidence demonstrating accumulation of endogenous opioids and their role in the pathophysiology and manifestations of cholestasis, the main feature of a number of chronic progressive liver diseases. Hence, we investigated the significance of endogenous opioids in angiogenesis in an experimental model of cholestasis.

Methods:  Cholestasis was induced in male Sprague–Dawley rats by bile duct ligation and resection. Naltrexone, an opioid antagonist (20 mg/kg/day) was administered to cholestatic animals for 22 ± 1 days. The serial sections from liver tissue were stained with von Willebrand Factor antibody and micro‐vessel density was assessed by calculating mean micro‐vessel number in three hot spots high power microscopic fields.

Results:  Naltrexone treatment in bile duct ligated rats led to a marked increase in the micro‐vessel number (6.34 ± 0.21 vs 5.61 ± 0.22) (P < 0.05), which had already increased during cholestasis.

Conclusion:  In order to clarify the impacts of opioid system blockade in cirrhosis, our findings demonstrate the promoting role of opioid antagonist in angiogenesis in a rat model of cholestasis.
Endoscopic treatment as first‐line therapy for pancreatic ascites and pleural effusion
Authors: Pai C Ganesh , Suvarna Deepak , Bhat Ganesh
Published: May 2009

Background:  Ascites and pleural effusion are well recognized complications of pancreatic diseases. Drug therapy of these is limited by high cost, prolonged hospitalization and failure rates; surgery is invasive and is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality.

Objective:  To analyze the data on patients with pancreatic ascites and/or pleural effusion treated endoscopically over a ten‐year period.

Methods:  Patients with symptomatic ascites/pleural effusion for at least 3 weeks with a fluid amylase level of > 1000 S units/dl and underlying pancreatic disease were included. The interventions were a 5 mm sized pancreatic sphincterotomy and placement of a 7 Fr pancreatic stent. Somatostatin/octreotide and parenteral nutrition were not used after endoscopic therapy.

Results:  Of the 28 patients included (22 men), 17 (60.7%) had chronic pancreatitis. The causes were tropical pancreatitis (13, 46.4%), alcohol abuse (10, 35.7%), idiopathic acute pancreatitis (4, 14.3%) and resective surgery for gastric cancer (1, 3.6%). Ascites alone was seen in 15, pleural effusion alone in 6 and both in 7 patients. Ten patients (35.7%) had 14 pseudocysts. Endotherapy was successful in 27 (96.4%). Twenty‐six (92.8%) patients had complete resolution of ascites/effusion over a median 5 weeks. The stents were removed 3–6 weeks later without any recurrence over the next 6–36 (median = 17) months. Complications (7, 25%) included severe pain in 2 (7.1%) and fever in 5 (17.8%) of which 3 (10.7%) had infection of residual fluid collections. No patient died.

Conclusion:  Endoscopic therapy offers an excellent therapeutic alternative in patients with pancreatic ascites and pleural effusion.
cDNA cloning of a lectin‐like gene preferentially expressed in freshwater from the macroalga Ulva limnetica (Ulvales, Chlorophyta)
Authors: Ichihara Kensuke , Arai Shogo , Shimada Satoshi
Published: May 2009

The macroalgal species Ulva limnetica Ichihara et Shimada was investigated to understand the molecular mechanism of its tolerance or adaptation to freshwater. We detected a 19 kDa protein by sodium dodecyl sulfate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, which accumulated in greater amounts in freshwater conditions compared with marine conditions. The band was excised and the partial amino acid sequence was determined by Edoman degradation. Based on the sequences, we isolated the corresponding cDNA by the rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) technique. The constructed, full‐length cDNA was 1272 bp in length, consisting of 198 bp 5′‐non‐coding region, an open reading frame of 840 bp (279 amino acids), 233 bp 3′‐non‐coding region and poly (A) tail. The protein encoded by the cDNA showed 30% identity and 45% similarity to lectin isolated from Ulva pertusa Kjellman, and we named this gene ULL (encoding Ulva limnetica lectin‐like protein). Northern blot analysis demonstrated that the expression level of the ULL in the freshwater‐cultured sample was higher than in the seawater‐cultured sample.
On the utility of DNA barcoding for species differentiation among brown macroalgae (Phaeophyceae) including a novel extraction protocol
Authors: McDevit Daniel C. , Saunders Gary W.
Published: May 2009

The generation of a species‐rich DNA barcode database in combination with rapid and affordable sequencing techniques will dramatically change specimen identification in ecological, biogeographical and taxonomic applications. Though cytochrome c oxidase 1 has been shown to be a useful tool for differentiating some groups of marine algae, its wide application in the Phaeophyceae has yet to be studied. The presence of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) inhibiting compounds in members of the Fucales, Laminariales and Tilopteridales, that are often co‐extracted with DNA, has hampered the rapid processing associated with barcode projects. Polyphenolics and polysaccharides are present in concentrations such that DNA extraction methods typically include extensive series of washes, organelle extractions and/or cesium columns. In this paper we examine the utility of cytochrome c oxidase 1 for barcoding the Phaeophyceae and present a method for extracting PCR friendly DNA from brown macroalgae in about 2 h, dramatically reducing the time required from previous methods, some of which take days. This method is easily adapted to a 96 well, high‐throughput format and may have applications in other organisms where the presence of similar PCR inhibiting compounds hinders molecular analyses. We extracted DNA from 106 isolates representing 29 species from 20 genera in nine families from five orders of Phaeophyceae. We were able to amplify the barcode marker (cytochrome c oxidase 1) from all samples and a nuclear marker (internal transcribed spacer region) from 54 selected samples. Cytochrome c oxidase 1 was able to differentiate clearly among species, showing within species divergence of 0.00–0.46%, with the exception of one previously studied genus, and between species divergences of greater than 3%.
Research note: High efficiency transformation of the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum with a promoter from the diatom Cylindrotheca fusiformis
Authors: Miyagawa Arisa , Okami Takuma , Kira Nozomu , Yamaguchi Haruo , Ohnishi Kouhei , Adachi Masao
Published: May 2009

A high efficiency transformation system was established for the pennate diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum Bohlin using a plasmid containing fucoxanthin chlorophyll a/c binding protein (fcp) promoter/terminator and nitrate reductase (NR) promoter/terminator that are derived from the pennate diatom Cylindrotheca fusiformis. The plasmid that contains the zeocin resistance gene (ble) with the fcp promoter and enhanced green fluorescent protein gene (egfp) with the NR promoter was introduced into P. tricornutum using microparticle bombardment. Transformants (650 ± 58 per 108 cells) were obtained. The yield of transformants was between 1.5 and 130 times higher than previously reported P. tricornutum transformation systems. Four to seven copies of the ble gene were integrated into genomic DNA of the transformants. This high efficiency transformation system of P. tricornutum is expected to provide a powerful tool for high‐throughput analysis of gene function using homologous recombination or RNAi.
Research note: Identity of the Qingdao algal bloom
Authors: Leliaert Frederik , Zhang Xiaowen , Ye Naihao , Malta Erik‐jan , Engelen Aschwin H. , Mineur Frédéric , Verbruggen Heroen , De Clerck Olivier
Published: May 2009

In early July 2008, news agencies worldwide reported on a vast algal bloom that was threatening the upcoming Olympic sailing events in Qingdao, China. The identity of the culpable alga, however, remained undiscussed. We have identified the alga that caused the bloom by means of morphological and molecular data, including sequence data of the plastid encoded large subunit ribulose 1,5‐bisphosphate carboxylase gene (rbcL) and the nuclear encoded rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. The bloom‐forming alga falls within the morphological limits of the green seaweed Ulva prolifera O.F. Müller (‘Enteromorpha prolifera (O.F. Müller) J. Agardh’) but our phylogenetic analyses show that it forms a clade with representatives of the Ulva linza‐procera‐prolifera (LPP) complex. The Chinese rbcL sequences are identical to those of specimens collected from Japan, New Zealand, Finland and Portugal, suggesting that the taxon is widely distributed. rDNA ITS sequences showed a close affinity with Japanese isolates of the species complex. The Qingdao bloom is a typical illustration of a green tide, which occurs increasingly along several coasts worldwide.
Exendin‐4 regulates glucokinase expression by CaMKK/CaMKIV pathway in pancreatic β‐cell line
Authors: Murao K. , Li J. , Imachi H. , Muraoka T. , Masugata H. , Zhang G. X. , Kobayashi R. , Ishida T. , Tokumitsu H.
Published: May 2009

Aim: Glucokinase (GK) in pancreatic β cells is thought to be involved in insulin secretion and glucose homeostasis. This study investigates whether the long‐acting agonist of the glucagon‐like peptide 1, namely exendin‐4, mediates stimulatory effects on GK gene expression through the Ca2+/calmodulin (CaM)‐dependent protein kinase (CaMK) cascade.

Methods: GK expression was examined by real‐time PCR, western blot analysis and reporter gene assay in rat insulin‐secreting INS‐1 cells incubated with exendin‐4. CaMKIV activity was assessed by detection of activation loop phosphorylation (Thr196) of CaMKIV. We investigated the effect of the constitutively active form (CaMKIVc) of CaMKIV on GK promoter activity.

Results: Increased expression level of GK protein was noted in response to rising concentrations of exendin‐4 with maximum induction at 10 nM. Real‐time PCR analysis showed a significant increase in the amount of GK mRNA in response to rising concentrations of exendin‐4. Exendin‐4 also stimulated GK promoter activity but failed to do so in the presence of STO‐609, a CaMKK inhibitor. This result is consistent with the observations that the upregulation of CaMKIV phosphorylation (at Thr196) peaked after 15 min of exposure to exendin‐4 and that CaMKIVc enhanced or upregulated GK promoter activity in INS‐1 cells. Furthermore, STO‐609 significantly suppressed the exendin‐4 – upregulated the expression of the GK protein.

Conclusion: Activation of the CaMKK/CaMKIV cascade might be required for exendin‐4‐induced GK gene transcription, indicating that exendin‐4 plays an important role in insulin secretion in pancreatic β cells.
The impact of self‐management of lower urinary tract symptoms on frequency‐volume chart measures
Authors: Yap Tet L. , Brown Christian , Cromwell David A. , Van Der Meulen Jan , Emberton Mark
Published: May 2009

OBJECTIVE

To assess the effect of a self‐management programme (SMP) on actual voiding behaviour using frequency‐volume chart (FVC) data.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In all, 140 men with uncomplicated lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) were recruited and randomised to either attend a SMP in addition to standard care, or standard care alone. The SMP group received three small group sessions that addressed behaviour and gave training in problem‐solving strategies. Patients were assessed in urological clinics at baseline and 3, 6 and 12 months, completing the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and 3‐day FVCs after assessment. Differences in voiding behaviour between the SMP and control groups were calculated analysed by intention‐to‐treat.

RESULTS

Of the 140 patients, 104 completed the FVC data at baseline; at 3, 6 and 12 months charts were received from 99, 95 and 70, respectively. Baseline FVC variables were equivalent between the randomized groups. At 3 months the mean voided volume had increased in the SMP group and differed from the control group by a mean (95% confidence interval, CI) of 57 (33–83) mL. The total number of voids and episodes of nocturia were also lower in the SMP group, with a mean (95% CI) decrease of 2.6 (−3.6 to −1.5) and 0.7 (−1.1 to −0.3) episodes, respectively. These changes were maintained at 6 and 12 months.

CONCLUSION

A SMP in addition to standard care significantly improved the urinary symptoms of frequency and nocturia according to FVC monitoring. The exact mechanism of action and the specific interventions which affect this require further investigation.
The obesity epidemic: implications for recruitment and retention of defence force personnel
Authors: McLaughlin R. , Wittert G.
Published: May 2009

The primary purpose of fitness and body composition standards in the military has always been to select individuals best suited to the physical demands of military service. Obesity has reached epidemic proportions globally, and may have adverse consequences for the military: a worsening prevalence of obesity in young civilian adults could hinder the recruitment and maintenance of military manpower. This review explores the impact of obesity on suitability for employment in defence force careers and any potential impact on long‐term occupational health. Studies containing data on obesity and the military were identified from an electronic database. Thirty‐eight papers were identified and 17 were included in this review. There is a limited body of evidence available to ascertain whether or not obese individuals are suitable for employment in the military. There are a number of key issues that need to be addressed before a definitive conclusion can be drawn. These include the future health of obese personnel recruited into the military and subsequent implications for health services, costs to the organization and military readiness, and the ability of an obese person to be an active member of the military workforce. Future research should be targeted towards these areas in order to determine the implications of obesity for recruitment and retention of defence force personnel.
The adult North and the young South: Reflections on the civilizing mission of children's rights
Authors: Valentin Karen , Meinert Lotte
Published: May 2009

The civilization of the children of the “savages” in the colonial world was seen as a crucial issue from early on was an inherent part of the colonization project in Africa, America and Oceania in the 19th century. The idea of civilizing “the savages,” today's South, through children has continued in the post‐colonial era with the development of mass‐schooling systems and various child‐focused development projects. This has led to an export of internationally defined standards for a “good childhood” through various foreign funded development programs in South. While many NGOs, legitimizing their work on the basis of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), are genuinely working for an improvement of children's conditions, they have also taken on the role as a second guardian in order to cultivate “proper” children and parents who can live up to the supposedly universal ideals of a “good childhood.” The article adopts a critical view on the child rights movement by shedding light on the crucial role, which NGOs play as civilizing institutions in the South. The article specifically draws attention to the double‐sided patronization of children and parents, and “infantilization” of nations in South, which implicitly lies beneath CRC and the child rights movement.
United Front: Blame Management and Scandal Response Tactics of the United Nations
Authors: Capelos Tereza , Wurzer Johannes
Published: May 2009

In this paper we conduct a systematic study of the United Nations (UN) responses to allegations of transgression. We examine the patterns in the UN reaction to scandals, the types of accounts, the institutional providers of the responses, and the implications of scandals for the UN and its' official(s). We conduct a content analysis of the UN scandal and account coverage in international (print) media in the last 25 years, and find a scandal‐responsive UN, particularly in the case of institutional scandals. Concessions issued by the office of the Secretary General is dominant UN account to allegations of misconduct. Individual staff members implicated in the scandals offer a greater variety of accounts and often suffer resignations and severe punishments.
Cause and Consequences of Crises: How Perception Can Influence Communication
Authors: Wester Misse
Published: May 2009

This article focuses on how different events that cause a crisis are perceived by communication officers. The aim of this paper is to investigate how the attribution of whatever has caused a crisis affects how the crisis is perceived and how this in turn affects communication efforts. Previous research indicates that people will respond differently to risks depending on the cause of the risk, even though the consequence is the same. If individuals react to a crisis differently depending on what caused it, is that also true for crisis professionals and if so, does this influence the planning and execution of crisis communication? This article presents the results from an empirical investigation of crisis communicators in Sweden. The results reveal that there are differences within this group of professionals when they are presented with crises due to different causes. The possible implications this might have for crisis communication are discussed.
Politics of Sichuan Earthquake, 2008
Authors: Hui Dennis Lai Hang
Published: May 2009

The purpose of this research note is to give an overview of the Chinese Government's political response to the May 2008 deadly earthquake in Sichuan province. The specific focus lies in the political success of the Chinese government in managing the crisis in the context of a drastic socio‐economic transition. The way in which the Chinese government on the one hand publicly shifted her traditional reliance on authority by incorporating transparency and responsibility and on the other hand was able to rely on an unprecedented spirit of voluntarism shared among the Chinese population at large, facilitated a fast, efficient and appropriate response to this crisis.
Child Behavior Checklist Juvenile Bipolar Disorder (CBCL‐JBD) and CBCL Posttraumatic Stress Problems (CBCL‐PTSP) scales are measures of a single dysregulatory syndrome
Authors: Ayer Lynsay , Althoff Robert , Ivanova Masha , Rettew David , Waxler Ellen , Sulman Julie , Hudziak James
Published: May 2009

Background:  The Child Behavior Checklist Juvenile Bipolar Disorder (CBCL‐JBD) profile and Posttraumatic Stress Problems (CBCL‐PTSP) scale have been used to assess juvenile bipolar disorder (JBD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), respectively. However, their validity is questionable according to previous research. Both measures are associated with severe psychopathology often encompassing multiple DSM‐IV diagnoses. Further, children who score highly on one of these scales often have elevated scores on the other, independent of PTSD or JBD diagnoses. We hypothesized that the two scales may be indicators of a single syndrome related to dysregulated mood, attention, and behavior. We aimed to describe and identify the overlap between the CBCL‐JBD profile and CBCL‐PTSP scales.

Method:  Two thousand and twenty‐nine (2029) children from a nationally representative sample (1073 boys, 956 girls; mean age = 11.98; age range = 6–18) were rated on emotional and behavior problems by their parents using the CBCL. Comparative model testing via structural equation modeling was conducted to determine whether the CBCL‐JBD profile and CBCL‐PTSP scale are best described as measuring separate versus unitary constructs. Associations with suicidality and competency scores were also examined.

Results:  The CBCL‐JBD and CBCL‐PTSP demonstrated a high degree of overlap (r = .89) at the latent variable level. The best fitting, most parsimonious model was one in which the CBCL‐JBD and CBCL‐PTSP items identified a single latent construct, which was associated with higher parental endorsement of child suicidal behavior, and lower functioning.

Conclusions:  The CBCL‐JBD profile and CBCL‐PTSP scale overlap to a remarkable degree, and may be best described as measures of a single syndrome. This syndrome appears to be related to severe psychopathology, but may not conform to traditional DSM‐IV classification. These results contribute to the ongoing debate about the utility of the CBCL‐JBD and CBCL‐PTSP profiles, and offer promising methods of empirically based measurement of disordered self‐regulation in youth.
The role of weight for age and disease stage in poor psychomotor outcome of HIV‐infected children in Kilifi, Kenya
Authors: ABUBAKAR AMINA , HOLDING PENNY , NEWTON CHARLES R J C , VAN BAAR ANNELOES , VAN DE VIJVER FONS J R
Published: May 2009

Aim  We aimed to investigate the contribution of disease stage and weight for age to the variability in psychomotor outcome observed among children with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.

Method  This cross‐sectional study involved 48 Kenyan children (20 females, 28 males) aged 6 to 35 months (mean 19.9mo SD 8.9) exposed prenatally to HIV. Two subgroups of HIV‐exposed children were seen: those who were HIV‐infected and those who were uninfected. The reference population was composed of 319 children (159 females, 160 males) aged 6–35 months, (mean age = 19 months, SD=8.43) randomly selected from the community. Disease stage varied from stage 1 to stage 3, reflecting progression from primary HIV infection to advanced HIV infection and acquired immune deficiency syndrome. A locally developed and validated measure, the Kilifi Developmental Inventory, was used to assess psychomotor development.

Result  Using age‐corrected psychomotor scores, a significant main effect of HIV status was observed (F(2,38.01)=7.89, p<0.001). Children in the HIV‐infected group had lower mean psychomotor scores than the HIV‐exposed children and the reference group. In the HIV‐infected group, disease stage was a negative predictor and weight for age a positive predictor of psychomotor outcome.

Interpretation  Weight for age and disease stage provide viable, easily measurable benchmarks to specify when frequent developmental monitoring and psychomotor rehabilitation are required. Nutritional intervention and other measures aimed at slowing disease progression may delay the onset and severity of psychomotor impairment in the paediatric HIV population in Africa.