bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High titre of anti‐Ascaris immunoglobulin E associated with bronchial asthma symptoms in 5‐year‐old rural Bangladeshi children
Authors: Takeuchi H. , Zaman K. , Takahashi J. , Yunus M. , Chowdhury H. R. , Arifeen S. El , Baqui A. , Wakai S. , Iwata T.
Published: August 2010

Background
Increasing interest has arisen whether helminthic infections protect against asthma and allergy. The prevalence of wheezing among Bangladeshi children is higher in rural areas where helminthic infectious burden is greater, which is contrary to the general assumption.

Objective
We therefore examined the association between Ascaris infection, serum level of anti‐Ascaris IgE, which should be investigated differently from the infection, and wheezing in 5‐year‐old children from rural Bangladesh.

Methods
A total of 219 children who reported wheezing during the previous 12 months and 122 randomly selected age‐matched individuals who had never experienced wheezing were tested for serum levels of total and specific Ascaris, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, alternaria and cockroach IgEs, and for intestinal helminth infection as well.

Results
Anti‐Ascaris IgE levels were significantly and independently associated with current wheezing during the previous 12 months [odds ratio (OR) per loge increment is 1.31 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.08–1.60), P=0.007], a history of at least four episodes of wheezing [OR per loge increment is 1.52 (95% CI 1.18–1.96), P=0.001], wheezing with sleep disturbances [OR per loge increment is 1.35 (95% CI 1.10–1.64), P=0.011] and wheezing with speech disturbances [OR per loge increment is 1.57 (95% CI 1.19–2.08), P=0.001]. These were adjusted for gender, pneumonia history, parental asthma, Trichuris infection, use of dry leaves as fuel and other specific IgE levels. The prevalence of Ascaris infection by the presence of wheezing was not significantly different (76% vs. 72%, respectively).

Conclusion
We conclude that a high titre of anti‐Ascaris IgE is associated with an increased risk of asthma symptoms among 5‐year‐old rural Bangladeshi children with a high helminthic infectious load.
Glutamine preferentially inhibits T‐helper type 2 cell‐mediated airway inflammation and late airway hyperresponsiveness through the inhibition of cytosolic phospholipase A2 activity in a murine asthma model
Authors: Ko H. M. , Kang N. I. , Kim Y. S. , Lee Y. M. , Jin Z. W. , Jung Y. J. , Im S. Y. , Kim J. H. , Shin Y. H. , Cho B. H. , Lee H. K.
Published: August 2010

Background
The non‐essential amino acid, l‐glutamine (Gln), is abundant in the human body. Gln exhibits beneficial effects on endotoxic shock through the inhibition of cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) activity. cPLA2 has been reported to be implicated in the pathogenesis of asthma, but the effects of Gln on asthma have not yet been defined.

Objective
To investigate the effects of Gln on allergic bronchial inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), and to determine the possible action mechanisms of Gln in a murine model of asthma.

Methods
cPLA2 phosphorylation was assessed by immunoprecipitation and Western blotting. Smears of bronchoalveolar lavage cells were stained with Diff‐Quik solution for differential cell counting. Airway levels of the proteins [T‐helper type‐1 (Th1) and Th2 cytokines, and mucin] were measured by ELISA. mRNA expression of cytokines was assessed by real‐time RT‐PCR. AHR was assessed as a change in airway resistance (RL). Histological studies were performed to assess the levels of mucin and pulmonary inflammation.

Results
Systemic Gln administration inhibited cPLA2 phosphorylation and its enzymatic activity in the lungs. Additionally, Gln effectively suppressed the key features of Th2‐dependent asthmatic features, such as airway eosinophilia, mucus formation, and airway type 2 cytokine production, as well as late AHR.

Conclusion
Gln was found to be effective in the suppression of Th2‐dependent phenotypes and late AHR, and this effect of Gln appeared to be at least partially attributable to its ability to suppress cLPA2 activity in the airway. Our results suggest that clinical use of Gln for patients with asthma may be beneficial.
Characterization of IgE epitopes of Cuc m 2, the major melon allergen, and their role in cross‐reactivity with pollen profilins
Authors: Tordesillas L. , Pacios L. F. , Palacín A. , Cuesta‐Herranz J. , Madero M. , Díaz‐Perales A.
Published: August 2010

Background
Plant profilins are described as minor allergens, although with some exceptions in foods such as melon, watermelon or orange. In fact, they could be responsible for many cross‐reactions among distantly related species. This is likely to be a consequence of the presence of common epitopes.

Objective
To characterize the B epitopes of Cuc m 2, a model of plant food profilin, using phage display techniques and to compare with other profilins, such as those of timothy grass and birch pollen, and human I profilin, to understand the mechanism of cross‐reaction among members of this family.

Methods
IgE of melon‐allergic patients was used to select clones from a phage display 12 mer peptide library. After two rounds of screening, Cuc m 2‐specific clones were eluted and the DNA insertion sequenced. The residues of each clone were mapped on the Cuc m 2 surface to define a mimotope, which was also localized on the three‐dimensional surfaces of other profilins.

Results
Seventeen melon‐allergic patients were selected. Sera from each of them recognized the melon profilin, Cuc m 2, but the majority also recognized Phl p 12 or Bet v 2, timothy grass‐, and birch‐pollen profilins, respectively. A Cuc m 2 mimotope was defined and mapped onto its surface giving the following sequence: S2W3A5Y6D9H10T111P112G113Q114N116M117R121L122. The homologous residues in Phl p 12 and Bet v 2 had almost identical sequences. By contrast, the homologous sequence in human profilin showed many differences.

Conclusions
The identified mimotope could be involved in cross‐reactions among food and pollen profilins. Many of these cross‐reactions observed in the clinical realm could be explained by the presence of a common epitope found in food and pollen allergens. A new strategy of immunotherapy based on this IgE region could be used in alternative immunotherapy strategies.

Cite this as: L. Tordesillas, L. F. Pacios, A. Palacín, J. Cuesta‐Herranz, M. Madero and A. Díaz‐Perales, Clinical & Experimental Allergy, 2010 (40) 174–181.
The A to E of airway disease
Authors: Pavord I. D. , Wardlaw A. J.
Published: August 2010

The terms asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease have evolved from their original very specific physiology‐based definition to describe additional disease entities such as symptoms, airway inflammation and airway structure. We argue that as a result there is widespread confusion about what the terms mean. This has become a significant hurdle to optimal disease management and drug development. We propose that these disease labels should be replaced with a new alphabetical assessment tool for characterizing airway disease, which provides a checklist of five relatively independent factors potentially responsible for morbidity in patients with airway disease: Airway hyperresponsiveness, Bronchitis, Cough reflex hypersensitivity, Damage to the airway and surrounding lung and Extrapulmonary factors. We speculate that the use of this system to characterize airway disease will improve outcomes by promoting better targeting of new and existing treatments.

Cite this as: I. D. Pavord and A. J. Wardlaw, Clinical & Experimental Allergy, 2010 (40) 62–67.
The role of interleukin‐4Rα in the induction of glutamic acid decarboxylase in airway epithelium following acute house dust mite exposure
Authors: Hirota J. A. , Budelsky A. , Smith D. , Lipsky B. , Ellis R. , Xiang Y‐Y. , Lu W‐Y. , Inman M. D.
Published: August 2010

Background
Asthma is a disease characterized by airway inflammation, remodelling and dysfunction. Airway inflammation contributes to remodelling, a term that is used to describe structural changes including goblet cell metaplasia (GCM), matrix deposition, and smooth muscle hyperplasia/hypertrophy. GCM has been implicated in asthma mortality by contributing to mucus plugs and leading to asphyxiation. In animal models, this process is highly dependent on IL‐13. Recently, we have described an IL‐13‐dependent up‐regulation of a GABAergic signalling system in airway epithelium that contributes to GCM. The mechanism by which IL‐13 up‐regulates GABA signalling in airway epithelium is unknown.

Objectives
To test the hypothesis that IL‐4Rα signalling is required for allergen induced up‐regulation of GABAergic signalling and GCM.

Methods
BALB/c mice were exposed to an acute house dust mite (HDM) protocol and received vehicle, anti‐IL‐4Rα‐monoclonal antibody, or control antibody. Outcomes included airway responses to inhaled methacholine (MCh), histology for eosinophilia and GCM, phosphorylated STAT6 levels using immunohistochemistry and immunoblot, and glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) 65/67 and GABAAβ2/3 receptor subunit expression using confocal microscopy.

Results
Acute HDM exposure resulted in increased airway responses to MCh, lung eosinophilia, STAT6 phosphorylation, elevations in GAD65/67 and GABAAβ2/3 receptor expression, and GCM that were inhibited with anti‐IL‐4Rα‐monoclonal treatment. Control antibody had no effect.

Conclusion
The IL‐4Rα is required for allergen‐induced up‐regulation of a GABAergic system in airway epithelium implicated in GCM following acute HDM exposure.

Cite this as: J. A. Hirota, A. Budelsky, D. Smith, B. Lipsky, R. Ellis, Y‐Y. Xiang, W‐Y. Lu and M. D. Inman, Clinical & Experimental Allergy, 2010 (40) 820–830.
Chemical and spectroscopic characterization of soil organic matter fractions isolated by sequential extraction procedure
Authors: SENESI N. , TESTINI C. , POLEMIO M.
Published: August 2010

Soil organic matter fractions were isolated from three soils by the application of a sequential extraction procedure employing a series of 10 mild organic solvents of different polarity.

The isolated organic materials were characterized by elemental, infrared and electron spin resonance analyses. They showed different chemical and structural properties which varied according to the progression of the solvent series, with some similarities between two successive extracts. The corresponding fractions extracted from the three soils were substantially similar to each other in chemical character. Along each series of extracts aliphaticity appeared to decrease, whilst aromaticity, polar oxygenated and nitrogenated functional groups, transition metal ion content and organic free radical concentrations increased. ESR spectra were structured and were put in four different classes, according to their characteristic resonances.

Although the yields of extracted organic material were not high, the fractions could be considered representative of the soil organic matter composition and furnish new chemical information on its nature and properties.
Granitic weathering: a Brazilian study
Authors: MELFI A. J. , CERRI C. C. , KRONBERG B. I. , FYFE W. S. , McKINNON B.
Published: August 2010

Chemical and mineral studies were carried out on weathered materials from six profiles developed on granites located in different areas of Brazil.

Quartz and K‐feldspar are the most abundant minerals overall. Kaolinite is the most common secondary mineral and is principally a feldspar weathering product. Mica breakdown is associated with smectite formation in semi‐arid regions. In more humid regions mica weathering products include interlayered mica‐vermiculite, vermiculite and kaolinite. Changes in the concentrations of Si, Al and K reflect the weathering behaviour of quartz, kaolinite, K‐feldspar respectively, although K mobilities sometimes appear to be governed by processes related to the formation of secondary minerals. Ca and Mg are the first elements to exhibit depletion and their removal rates are very fast relative to K. P is also among the most mobile elements. Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, Ba and Pb concentrations were measured. The first row transition metals are the most depleted. Rb and Sr are retained relative to Na, Mg, and Ca, and Ba accumulates as weathering proceeds. Y, Zr, Nb and Pb concentrations show little variation.

The conclusion is that the factors controlling deep leaching are complex and the common notion that weathering rates are higher at lower latitudes should be reassessed.
Dissolution of feldspars in the presence of natural, organic solutes
Authors: LUNDSTRÖM U. , ÖHMAN L‐O.
Published: August 2010

The dissolution rates of feldspars in the presence of naturally occurring organic solutes were compared at pH 5.1. Natural silt or ground feldspar minerals were suspended in water, streamwater, soil water, water extracts of peat and mor and a citrate solution for approximately 100 d. The increase of major cations and silicic acid in the aqueous phase was determined by periodic sampling and rates of dissolution were calculated when concentration increased linearly with time.

The dissolution rate for the major cations was 2.7±0.9 (n= 3) times greater for stream‐water and 2.4±0.4 (n= 5) times greater for mor and peat extract than for distilled water. For citrate, the rate was greater by 1.7±0.3 (n=3) times.

By inoculating the suspensions with microorganisms weathering rates decreased to the value for distilled water. This suggests that the microorganisms consumed some ‘active’ fraction of the organic solutes.
One‐dimensional image analysis of soil structure. 11. Interpretation of parameters with respect to four forest soil profiles
Authors: RINGROSE‐VOASE A. J. , NYS C.
Published: August 2010

The one‐dimensional (1‐D) image analysis system described in the companion to this paper (Part I) was used to analyse horizontal sections of pore space (≥ 180 μm) in four forest soil profiles with impeded drainage. Parameters were interpreted with respect to structure in the images. Mean solid intercept length is inversely proportional to extent of pore space. It was longer for blocky structures than massive structures, which had extensive, fine pore space. It decreased with decreasing ped size, increasing development and increasing intrapedal porosity. The solid intercept length distribution separated the effects of intrapedal porosity. For blocky structures, the pore intercept length distribution indicated the sizes and quantities of fissures and intrapedal pores. All profiles had an horizon with blocky structure with lower porosity owing to greater distance between interpedal pore space and low extent of intrapedal pore space. The deeper, more massive horizons had extensive, fine pore space separating fine aggregates.
A two‐dimensional quantification of soil ped shape
Authors: HOLDEN N. M.
Published: August 2010

Quantification of soil ped shape is discussed from three viewpoints:

The theoretical reasons why quantification of ped shape should be useful (objective classification of shape, improved understanding of ped/pore relationships, soil genesis and ped development and as a measure of soil heterogeneity);

The theoretical division of irregular shape into three components (circularity, angularity and surface roughness) and how circularity and surface roughness can be quantified using Cox's R‐statistic and the Fractal dimension (D). Angularity remains unquantified;

The testing of a computer program written to quantify ped shape against six criteria that were presented (Clark, 1981) to allow an assessment of shape quantification methods and the calibration of the program using Pettijohn's (1 957) standard shape chart.

It is concluded that R and D are able quantifiers of irregular particle shape.
An energy based parameter for the assessment of aggregate bond energy
Authors: RAINE S. R. , SO H. B.
Published: August 2010

The energy applied to a soil‐water suspension by an ultrasonic probe was determined for seven vertisol soils using calorimetric techniques. The rate of energy consumed by aggregate dispersion during sonification was calculated as the difference between the energy components measured before and after complete dispersion. Dispersive energy consumption was found to vary significantly during sonification and significant differences (P<0.05) were found between soils for the total dispersive energy required for complete dispersion. The soil dispersion characteristic curves, which relate the dispersive energy consumption during sonification to the quantity of <2 μm and <20 μm material dispersed, were also significantly different between soils. Error analysis of the calorimetric technique revealed that the energy consumed by complete dispersion is calculated with a precision of ±0.5 J g−1. For the soils studied, this was smaller than the observed variance in total dispersive energy consumed suggesting sample variability was the major source of variation.

The ultrasonic technique was also used to determine the equivalent total energy applied and the amount of energy consumed by aggregate breakdown and dispersion during 30 min of end‐over‐end shaking. No significant difference (P<0.05) was found between soils for the total energy applied. However, a significant difference (P<0.05) was observed between soils for the quantity of dispersive energy required to produce the equivalent end‐over‐end dispersion.
Effect of sample pretreatment on aggregate stability measured by wet sieving or turbidimetry on soils of different cropping history
Authors: HAYNES R. J.
Published: August 2010

The effects of cropping history (pasture or arable) and sample pretreatment (field‐moist, air‐dried or air‐dried and then tension or vacuum rewetted) on aggregate stability as measured by wet sieving or turbidimetry were compared. When field‐moist samples were used there was a tendency for aggregate stability, as measured by wet sieving, to decline with increasing time under arable cropping (i.e. decreasing soil organic matter content). Air‐drying samples caused a pronounced decline in stability of soils from under arable management and as a consequence there was a marked decline in stability with increasing time under arable. Use of tension or vacuum rewetted samples resulted in high values of stability which were unaffected by cropping history.

For turbidimetry, there was a marked decline in measured stability with increasing time under arable cropping when field‐moist samples were used. Air‐drying caused an increase in measured stability that was relatively greater for the less stable samples. In comparison with air‐dried samples, tension and vacuum rewetting caused a decrease in stability values for relatively unstable soils.

It is suggested that, upon air‐drying (and contraction of aggregates), additional intermolecular associations were formed between soil constituents thus conferring greater stability on aggregates. This resulted in reduced dispersion (and the release of particles <0.04 mm in diameter) from the surfaces of aggregates and slaked aggregate fragments following rapid rewetting. As a consequence stability as measured by turbidimetry was increased by drying. For aggregates from a predominantly arable history, this stabilization was not great enough to prevent slaking occurring following rapid rewetting, with the formation of a large proportion of stabilized fragments <0.5 mm in diameter. The stability of these aggregates as measured by wet sieving was therefore decreased by drying.
A model for predicting the fate of nitrogen fertilizer in lowland ricefields
Authors: SINGH RACHHPAL , KIRK G. J. D.
Published: August 2010

Equations are developed for the simultaneous movement and reaction in flooded soils of urea, ammoniacal species, carbonate species, and acids and bases, the simultaneous uptake of N by a developing rice root system, and losses of NH3 and CO2 by volatilization from the floodwater. The equations allow for the initial distribution of urea and other reactants in the soil and floodwater, for movement both by diffusion and convection, and for the rates of urea hydrolysis, floodwater algal activity, organic‐C and ‐N mineralization, and H+ release from roots to balance excess uptake of cations over anions. The equations are combined in a computer model which can predict the fate of N fertilizer in lowland ricefields for any combination of crop and environmental conditions.
K‐fixing phyllosilicates in soils: the role of inherited components
Authors: BÜHMANN C.
Published: August 2010

K‐fixing potential of 29 illite/smectite mixed‐layer minerals, covering a broad range in layer ratios and stacking arrangements, has been investigated utilizing X‐ray diffraction as the principal investigative tool. Samples were derived from a borehole core transecting Permian sedimentary rocks. In 93% of all samples, K+ was retained against replacement with Mg2+ from a 1 M MgCI2 solution in an average of 33% of the smectitic interlayers, defined via expansion to 1.7 nm upon ethylene glycol solvation after Mg‐saturation. This non‐ideal smectite behaviour points to a vermiculite‐type layer charge. Ordered structures fixed on average 20% more K than did random ones, but results were widely scattered. The Greene‐Kelly test revealed predominantly tetrahedral substitution, intercalation with dodecylammonium chloride molecules a high interlayer charge density in samples with a high K‐fixing capacity.

The findings have implications in two fields: in pedology, soils developed from thermally altered sedimentary rocks may inherit a considerable potential for K–fixation; in mineral identification, interlayers in illite/smectite interstratifications fully expanded to 1.7 nm upon ethylene glycol solvation despite their vermiculite–type layer charge. Glycerol solvation provided equally inconsistent results, while dodecylammonium spacings seemed to correlate reasonably well with interlayer charge density characteristics.
Availability to plants of phosphate adsorbed on goethite: experiment and simulation
Authors: GEELHOED J. S. , FINDENEGG G. R. , VAN RIEMSDIJK W. H.
Published: August 2010

A model has been developed to predict the availability of sorbed phosphate to plants. It is based on uptake by a growing root system. Phosphate sorption is assumed to be reversible and the rate of desorption is assumed not to limit uptake. The model was tested against observed availability of sorbed phosphate estimated from uptake by plants growing in phosphorus‐deficient conditions. The plants were grown on quartz sand coated with goethite on which phosphate was adsorbed, and which was mixed with nutrient solution. The influence of the phosphate loading of goethite and the goethite content of the sand on available phosphate was examined. Phosphate uptake was predicted well by the model for treatments with high phosphate loading and different goethite content of the sand. However, for a treatment with low phosphate loading, uptake was underestimated by the model. In this treatment the pH of the 'soil’ solution decreased from 5·5 to 4·2 during the experiment. The phosphate concentration in solution increased with a lowering of the pH in this pH range, resulting in increased phosphate uptake.
On the extent to which root properties and transport through the soil limit nitrogen uptake by lowland rice
Authors: KIRK G. J. D. , SOLIVAS J. L.
Published: August 2010

Measurements of N uptake by rice plants growing in a puddled flooded soil and the corresponding changes in soil solution NH: concentrations and the soil NH: diffusion coefficient are used to calculate how far root uptake properties and transport to the roots limit acquisition of N by rice. With root uptake parameters assigned values such that influx was maximal within realistic ranges, the minimum root length densities required to explain uptake were similar to measured root length densities in both N‐fertilized and unfertilized soil. This suggests that most if not all of the root length was active in uptake and that uptake per unit root length was near maximal. A sensitivity analysis showed that the necessary minimum root length is very sensitive to root uptake properties within appropriate ranges. Transport to the roots was mainly by diffusion. Rates of diffusion will generally not limit uptake in well‐puddled soils, but they may greatly limit uptake in puddled soils that have been drained and re‐flooded and in unpuddled flooded soils. Uptake of fertilizer N broadcast into rice field floodwater and absorbed by roots in the floodwater or soil near the floodwater is not likely to be limited by root uptake properties or transport.
Simulation of soil water retention using random fractal networks
Authors: BIRD N. R. A. , DEXTER A. R.
Published: August 2010

The derivation of pore size distributions from the soil water retention characteristic is complicated by the influence of the connectivity of the pore space on drainage. We examine this issue in the context of a random fractal pore network model. A two‐dimensional one‐parameter model simulates the drainage of water from an initially saturated pore network, explicitly accounting for the complex pore interactions which exist over a range of scales within the network. A parameter range is identified over which pore connections significantly hinder the advance of air into the network. The results demonstrate that connectivity between pores in a random structure can affect the drainage to an extent that in general it is not possible to obtain an accurate measure of the pore size distribution from the water retention data. These results, together with findings based on closely related multiscale network models, show that one should use with caution water retention models derived from fractal structures and based solely on pore size distributions.
Scaling of water flow through porous media and soils
Authors: Roth K.
Published: August 2010

Scaling of fluid flow in general is outlined and contrasted to the scaling of water flow in porous media. It is then applied to deduce Darcy’s law, thereby demonstrating that stationarity of the flow field at the scale of the representative elementary volume (REV) is a critical prerequisite. The focus is on the implications of the requirement of stationarity, or local equilibrium, in particular on the validity of the Richards equation for the description of water movement through soils. Failure to satisfy this essential requirement may occur at the scale of the REV or, particularly in numerical simulations, at the scale of the model discretization. The latter can be alleviated by allocation of more computational resources and by working on a finer‐grained representation. In contrast, the former is fundamental and leads to an irrevocable failure of the Richards equation as is observed with infiltration instabilities that lead to fingered flow.
Benign endometrioid tumours of the ovary and the Müllerian concept of ovarian epithelial tumours
Authors: HUGHESDON P.E.
Published: August 2010

The difficulties of a consistent Müllerian interpretation of the epithelial ovarian tumours include their inconstant hormonal responsiveness, the doubtful nature of the clear cell tumour and the apparent rarity of benign endometrioid forms. The reported frequency figures for the different types of endometrioid tumour suggest that their nature is made evident by proliferation. The appearance of indolent forms is explored by a study of inactive neoplastic areas associated with endometrioid carcinomas, or with proliferating endometrioid tumours or arising in endometriosis. These jointly suggest that most such tumours are identical with inactive ‘serous’ adenofibromas of glandular pattern and have senile endometrium as their prototype. Increasing proliferation develops more overt endometrioid forms which, if luxuriant, may be associated with corpus carcinoma. The endometrium of pregnancy is probably the prototype of the clear cell tumour, with a corresponding range of cell types. There is tenuous evidence that tumours may respond to steroid hormones if they arise in endometriosis and a difficulty of deducing such an origin is noted. The term ‘serous’ may be generic and comprise several different tissue types.
Papillary and cystic neoplasm of the pancreas‐an acinar cell tumour?
Authors: LEARMONTH G. M. , PRICE S. K. , VISSER A. E. , EMMS M.
Published: August 2010

Two cases of papillary and cystic neoplasm of the pancreas (PCN) occurring in 17 and 21 year old women are reported with ultrastructural and immunohistochemical findings. A review of the English literature shows that although potentially malignant, PCN, which occurs mainly in young women, is amenable to surgical cure. The significance of large PAS positive and alpha‐1‐antitrypsin positive tumour granules; the lack of specificity of alpha‐1‐antitrypsin for pancreatic acinar cells; the possibility of acinar differentiation of PCN; and its separation from pancreaticoblastoma are discussed.
Acetone/periodate‐lysine‐paraformaldehyde (PLP) fixation and improved morphology of cryostat sections for immunohistochemistry
Authors: HALL P.A. , STEARN P.M. , BUTLER M.G. , D'ARDENNE A.J.
Published: August 2010

Cryostat sections are extensively used in the study of lymphoid tissues because the majority of antigens do not survive routine fixation and processing. A major disadvantage of cryostat section immunohistochemistry is their poor morphology. The use of periodate‐lysine‐paraformaldehyde (PLP) fixation regimes for cryostat sections was evaluated and compared with conventional acetone immersion. This fixation gives excellent morphology but poor immunostaining. The quality of immunostaining with a panel of 31 antibodies was good with brief acetone fixation followed by PLP fixation. Morphological preservation was very good. We suggest that acetone‐PLP fixation is an improvement over acetone alone for cryostat section immunohistochemistry.
Primary undifferentiated sarcoma of the thoracic aorta
Authors: HERZBERG A. J. , PIZZO S. V.
Published: August 2010

A case of a primary undifferentiated sarcoma of the descending thoracic aorta in a 75‐year‐old man is reported. Intraluminal growth and occlusion produced congestive heart failure and renal failure. The thoracic aorta was relatively normal on chest radiography so that the lesion was undiscovered until the autopsy. To our knowledge, it is the first case of a primary undifferentiated sarcoma of the thoracic aorta, and the first undifferentiated aortic sarcoma to be examined with immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy. Electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry verified the sarcomatous nature of the undifferentiated neoplasm.
beta‐2‐microglobulin expression in relation to amplification of oncogenes and prognosis in breast carcinoma
Authors: TSUDA H. , HIROHASHI S. , HIGUCHI K. , SHIMOSATO Y.
Published: August 2010

In 165 cases of breast carcinoma, loss of beta‐2‐microglobulin (β2m) expression had no obvious association with amplification of the oncogenes c‐erbB‐2, hst‐1/int‐2 or c‐myc, or with long‐term survival of the patients.
Colloid cysts of the third ventricle: an immunohistochemical study
Authors: KUCHELMEISTER K. , BERGMANN M.
Published: August 2010

Eleven colloid cysts of the third ventricle were investigated by immunohistochemistry using 16 mono‐ and polyclonal antibodies. Colloid cyst epithelium, choroid plexus epithelium and ependyma showed different immunohistochemical profiles. In particular, antibodies to different cytokeratins and to transthyretin revealed considerable and constant differences of immunoreactivity. Therefore, common derivation of the three tissues seems unlikely. Our findings are interpreted in favour of the non‐neuroepithelial origin of third ventricular colloid cysts.
Epstein‐Barr virus DNA in Reed‐Sternberg cells of Hodgkin's disease is frequently associated with CR2 (EBV receptor) expression
Authors: JIWA N.M. , VALK P. VAN DER , MULLINK H. , VOS W. , HORSTMAN A. , MAURICE M.M. , OLDE‐WEGHUIS D.E.M. , WALBOOMERS J.M.M. , MEIJER C.J.L.M.
Published: August 2010

We studied 44 cases of Hodgkin's disease for the presence of Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) DNA, its localization and the expression of the EBV receptor on the tumour cells. EBV DNA was found in 52% (16/31) of the Hodgkin's lymphomas using the polymerase chain reaction. With a very sensitive non‐radioactive DNA in situ hybridization technique in combination with immunohistochemistry for CD 30 or CD 15 antigens, EBV DNA was localized to Reed‐Sternberg cells and its mononuclear variants. The relationship between the presence of EBV DNA and the expression of the EBV‐receptor CR2 (CD 21) on Reed‐Sternberg cells was studied using the same techniques and two different monoclonal anti‐CD 21 antibodies. CR2 could be detected on a substantial number of the Reed‐Sternberg cells in EBV DNA positive Hodgkin's lymphomas (9/12; 75%), whereas in EBV negative cases positivity with anti‐CD 21 was rare (1/13; 8%). The results indicate that CR2 expression on Reed‐Sternberg cells and the presence of EBV DNA sequences are frequently associated in Hodgkin's lymphomas.
Alterations in expression of basement membrane proteins during tumour progression in oral mucosa
Authors: KANNAN S. , BALARAM P. , CHANDRAN G.J. , PILLAI M.R. , MATHEW B. , NALINAKUMARI K.R. , NAIR M.K.
Published: August 2010

Expression of three basement membrane proteins—collagen IV, laminin and fibronectin—was studied in normal, hyperplastic, dysplastic and neoplastic conditions of the oral mucosa using immunohistochemistry. Collagen IV and laminin exhibited similar staining patterns, while fibronectin showed a different pattern of expression. The expression of collagen IV and laminin also demonstrated an inverse correlation between staining intensity, thickness and basement membrane continuity in various stages of tumour progression. In contrast to the continuous and intense staining of basement membrane in normal oral mucosa with collagen IV and laminin antibodies, severe dysplasia and carcinoma exhibited discontinuous, thin and weakly stained basement membrane. The expression of fibronectin showed a direct correlation with extent of tumour progression. In normal mucosa, expression of fibronectin was almost absent, whereas in carcinoma intense expression of fibronectin was evident in the basment membrane and basal cells. These results emphasize the value of basement membrane proteins as biological markers for assessing oral carcinogenesis.
Natural, human and spatial constraints to expanding populations of otters in the Iberian Peninsula
Authors: Clavero Miguel , Hermoso Virgilio , Brotons Lluís , Delibes Miguel
Published: August 2010

Aim  To determine the relationships between otter (Lutra lutra) distribution dynamics and environmental and spatial constraints over a 20‐year period.

Location  Andalusia, southern Iberian Peninsula.

Methods  We synthesized otter distribution data from three otter surveys (1985, 1995 and 2005) using subcatchment areas defined by hydrological barriers. Subcatchments were characterized by two ‘natural’ (climatic and orographic variables) and two ‘human’ (land use and population density) gradients. In addition, we calculated two contagion variables (the distance to previously occupied subcatchments and the percentage of occupied subcatchments within a 50 km buffer) for consecutively surveyed subcatchments.

Results  Between 1985 and 2005 the percentage of subcatchments with otters present increased from 42% to 72%. Otters tended to be rare or absent from human‐dominated areas. Anthropogenic gradients were better predictors of otter distribution than natural ones. Human and natural gradients showed strong covariation, but for any value of the natural gradients otters tended to be present in subcatchments with lower human impacts. Colonization of new subcatchments was found to be strongly related to contagion variables and expansion rates were slower than those estimated in other studies. Newly colonized areas tended to be located in areas with intermediate human influence, while repeated absences occurred mainly in areas where human impact was most severe.

Main conclusions  Our results suggest that recent otter expansion across Andalusia is a reflection of large‐scale improvement in environmental conditions. Otter populations that survived the period of strong and generalized declines appear to be acting as sources from which neighbouring areas are colonized, probably aided by improved water quality and increases in food availability. However, the further expansion of otters into their full original range is likely to be constrained by human‐impacted landscapes.
National identity: banal, personal and embedded
Authors: HEARN JONATHAN
Published: August 2010

ABSTRACT. This article examines the theoretical problem of understanding the relationship between personal and social dimensions of national identity. It does this by relating ethnographic data collected during a study of a merger between a Scottish and an English bank to three conceptual frameworks. First, it considers Michael Billig's thesis of ‘banal nationalism’. Then it addresses Anthony P. Cohen's concept of ‘personal nationalism’. Finally, it adapts a conception of the relationship between personal and social identity found in the recent work of Derek Layder. Based on this it argues that national identities, like all identities, are rendered salient for persons when they seem to address personal issues of power over one's life, and that the various social organisational settings through which people realise control over their lives (in this case, the bank) are thus crucial contexts for understanding people's attachments to identities, national and otherwise.
The Basque power‐sharing experience: from a destructive to a constructive conflict?
Authors: MANSVELT BECK JAN
Published: August 2010

ABSTRACT. Neither the devolution of powers to the Basque Autonomous Community in Spain nor more than a decade of power‐sharing within this region has led to a peaceful settlement of the Basque conflict. Combining Kriesberg's approach to conflict resolution and consociational theory, past power‐sharing experiences are analysed. The lack of overarching loyalties, traditions of compromise, comprehensive participation and the continuation of violence have frustrated power‐sharing. After the 2006 ceasefire, the conditions for giving the conflict a constructive turn have not fundamentally changed. The potential for alternative forms of power‐sharing as a way out of the Basque conflict, combined or not with innovative territorial arrangements cannot be employed because of multi‐scale polarisation. De‐escalation as a prerequisite for new types of power‐sharing arrangements requires relearning democratic pluralism and a recognition of ethnic hybridity in this politically and geographically fragmented society.
I'm No Jezebel; I am Young, Gifted, and Black: Identity, Sexuality, and Black Girls
Authors: Townsend Tiffany G. , Neilands Torsten B. , Thomas Anita Jones , Jackson Tiffany R.
Published: August 2010

Scholars have highlighted the detrimental influence of racially charged stereotypes and images on self-perception and well being. Others have suggested that identity components (e.g., ethnic identity and self-concept) serve a protective function. The purposes of this study were (a) to explore the relationship among stereotypic images, beauty standards that are consistent with “colorism,” and identity components of African American girls and (b) to determine the impact of these variables on girls' sexual attitudes. African American girls ( N = 270) between the ages of 10–15 years old completed a self-report questionnaire, which included a new measure, the Modern Jezebel Scale, that was used to assess stereotypic images. A series of multiple regressions were performed using identity components, stereotypic images, and colorism as independent variables and sexual attitude variables as the outcome. In addition, interaction effects were explored to determine if identity components moderated the influence of stereotypic images and colorism on sexual attitudes. As expected, findings revealed significant positive relationships among stereotypic images, colorism, and sexual risk. In addition, significant interactions were found between identity components and stereotypes. Instead of identity serving as a buffer against the negative effects of societal messages, endorsement of stereotypes and colorism increased sexual risk in the context of identity components. Results suggest that a strong identity may not be enough to reduce sexual risk if girls cannot critically analyze the societal messages that they receive. Implications for prevention efforts are discussed.
Unfamiliar Feminisms: Revisiting the National Council of Women Psychologists
Authors: Johnson Ann , Johnston Elizabeth
Published: August 2010

Second-generation women psychologists lived and worked between the two waves of organized feminist protest in the United States. This period is usually described as a time when feminist activity was suppressed or put on hold, and women psychologists from this period are often depicted as being collectively nonfeminist in orientation. In particular, historical accounts of the National Council of Women Psychologists (NCWP), formed in 1942, call the strength and value of members' feminist activism into question. Recent scholarship on interwave feminist activity in the United States has offered a new way of looking at the NCWP, and exploring feminist historiography and using archival data, we suggest that women of the NCWP used a variety of strategies appropriate to their zeitgeist to improve the standing of women in psychology. Some of these strategies do not map well onto post-1960s' definitions of feminist activism and so their effectiveness may not be easily recognized. We argue that the NCWP provided a platform for second-generation women psychologists to document gender-based disparities, debate strategies, and raise awareness of women's contributions to the field. In doing so, the NCWP prepared the ground for second-wave feminist organizing of the 1970s. We suggest that a close look at the struggles and strategies of the NCWP offers important lessons for contemporary feminist organizations in psychology.
“Thinking She Could be the Next President”: Why Identifying with the Curriculum Matters
Authors: Rios Desdamona , Stewart Abigail J. , Winter David G.
Published: August 2010

Researchers have demonstrated that Women's Studies courses can influence changes in beliefs about women, yet there is relatively little research on the impact of introducing material about women into mainstream curriculum. The current study examines the effects of introducing women exemplars into a course that is not identified as “Women's Studies.” Students enrolled in a political psychology course all attended the same lectures and were assigned the same readings; however, one-third of the discussion sections received a gender-inclusive curriculum. As hypothesized, female students in the gender-inclusive sections wrote more frequently about women and leadership intheir final exams, including the positive influence of female leaders on their own identities in terms of leadership and career opportunities. These findings suggest that female college students benefit significantly from female exemplars in mainstream course curriculum.
Oppressive Beliefs at Play: Associations among Beauty Ideals and Practices and Individual Differences in Sexism, Objectification of Others, and Media Exposure
Authors: Swami Viren , Coles Rebecca , Wyrozumska Karolina , Wilson Emma , Salem Natalie , Furnham Adrian
Published: August 2010

In recent years, beauty ideals and practices have been explained almost exclusively using evolutionary psychological frameworks, to the exclusion of more proximate factors such as psychosocial and individual psychological variables. To overcome this limitation, we examined the associations among sexist beliefs, objectification of others, media exposure, and three distinct beauty ideals or practices. Across three studies, a total of 1,158 participants in a British community sample completed a series of scales that measured their attitudes toward women, hostility toward women, benevolent sexism, hostile sexism, their tendency to objectify others, media exposure, and endorsement of the thin ideal and (for women) body dissatisfaction (Study 1); height preferences in an other-sex partner (Study 2); and endorsement of cosmetic use (Study 3). Across the three studies, results supported the idea that sexist beliefs predicted beauty ideals and practices, although the strength of these associations varied according to the ideal or practice in question. These results support feminist critiques that beauty ideals and practices in Western societies are linked with sexist attitudes. Furthermore, our results suggest that programmes aimed to reduce or eliminate sexist attitudes, or that promote more gender egalitarian attitudes, may result in healthier beauty ideals and practices.
Education and Public Policy
Authors: Dutta Jayasri , Sefton James , Weale Martin
Published: August 2010

This article surveys the literature on education as a matter of public policy. We present international comparisons of expenditure on education and then discuss the contribution of education to economic growth, distinguishing between growth accounting and regression approaches, but concluding that the picture is still confused. We assess the risky nature of investment in higher education and also discuss the link between educational experience and social class. We show that this, when studied in aggregate, accounts for less than half of the persistence of earnings between fathers and sons but it nevertheless does a good job of relating fathers’ and sons’ occupations. Finally, we look at the link between education and earnings in the UK. For most subjects, the private return to university education has held at over 15 per cent p.a. despite the introduction of fees. However, some subjects offer a negative return.
The New Economy: Reality and Policy
Authors: Van Reenen John
Published: August 2010

This paper concerns the new economy (alias the knowledge‐based economy). I examine the different meanings attached to the new economy term and the evidence surrounding it, concentrating on the upsurge in US productivity growth between 1995 and 2000. I argue that the reports of the death of the new economy have been greatly exaggerated. There is evidence that information technology has transformed the US economy and is thus likely to have a strong impact on the UK economy in coming years. I discuss how elements of public policy should adapt to these economic changes, both in terms of an overall framework and in applications to specific areas (technology policy, human capital policy, competition policy and industrial policy). The new economy is a place of hope and fear. The hope is that policy activism can cement in potential productivity gains; the fear is that government actions will not mitigate the seemingly ineluctable pressures towards social exclusion.
Funding a PAYG pension system: the case of Italy
Authors: Forni Lorenzo , Giordano Raffaela
Published: August 2010

Italy is characterised by a mature pay‐as‐you‐go social security system and by particularly adverse population projections. Given these trends, the social security contribution rate is expected to increase above its current high level. This hinders the development of employer‐provided pension funds and introduces a significant wedge between labour cost and earnings that discourages both labour demand and labour supply. Any proposal to reduce payroll taxes and to reform the system in the direction of partial funding has to cope with the state of Italian public finances. Italy has to comply with the Stability and Growth Pact that imposes constraints on budget deficit and debt trends. Using micro data from the Bank of Italy's Survey of Household Income and Wealth and official population projections, we estimate future employment trends under different demographic and macroeconomic scenarios and compute the cost of the transition. We show that it would be substantially reduced if positive effects on employment were induced by the payroll tax reduction.