bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Information about adverse drug reactions reported in children: a qualitative review of empirical studies
Authors: Aagaard Lise , Christensen Arne , Hansen Ebba Holme
Published: April 2010

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT

• Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in children are common, and although some are serious, studies on this topic are scarce.

• A review of studies published before 2000 showed that the overall incidence of ADRs in hospitalized children was 9.53% (95% CI 6.81, 12.26) and in outpatients 1.46% (95% CI 0.7, 3.03).

WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS

• Information about the occurrence and seriousness of reported ADRs, suspected medications, age and gender of children and type of reporter is only sparsely available in the literature.

• Substantial amounts of information about ADRs occurring in children have been reported to national ADR databases and during chart review of hospitalized children in recent years.

• The ADRs most commonly reported in children were of the types: (i) skin and subcutaneous disorders (range 15–65%); (ii) general disorders and administration site conditions (range 5–70%); (iii) gastrointestinal disorders (range 5–60%); and (iv) nervous system and psychiatric disorders (range 5–45%), mainly reported for the therapeutic groups: vaccines, antibiotics and psychotropic medicines.

• The majority of reported ADRs concerned paediatric populations from North America and Europe.

AIM

To review the literature on adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in children with respect to occurrence, seriousness, type, therapeutic group, age and gender of the child and category of reporter.

METHODS

Medline and Embase databases were searched from origin and updated until February 2010. We included empirically based articles on ADRs in populations aged 0 to 17 years. Studies monitoring ADRs in patients with particular conditions or drug exposure were excluded. We extracted information about types and seriousness of ADRs, therapeutic groups, age and gender of the child and category of reporter. ADR occurrence was calculated as incidence rate and prevalence.

RESULTS

We included 33 studies monitoring ADRs in general paediatric populations. The highest numbers of ADRs were reported in national ADR databases where data were collected over a longer period than in studies monitoring inpatients and outpatients. However, prevalence and incidence were much lower in the national databases. Types of reported ADRs, seriousness of ADRs and types of medicines differed substantially between studies due to differences in time periods and patient populations. Information about ADRs was mainly provided by health care professionals, although parents also contributed reports.

CONCLUSIONS

We found a higher incidence rate of ADRs in hospitalized children and outpatients than in national databases. There seems to be considerable potential for increasing the knowledge of ADRs by advocating the submission of reports to the spontaneous reporting systems. Our study underscores that ADRs in children constitute a significant public health problem.
The optimal use of steroids in paediatric acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: no easy answers
Authors: McNeer Jennifer L. , Nachman James B.
Published: April 2010

Glucocorticoids are an integral component of therapy for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), but usage differs between cooperative group protocols. All groups use glucocorticoids during induction but vary on whether to use dexamethasone or prednisone. Issues to consider in the choice of induction steroid include impact on event‐free and overall survival, acute morbidity such as infection risk, diabetes, and behavioural disturbances and long‐term complications such as avascular necrosis. It is generally agreed that dexamethasone is the steroid of choice for groups using a delayed intensification phase, but dosing schedules (intermittent versus continuous) vary. There is no consensus on the potential benefit of steroid administration during maintenance therapy. This review will summarize the current available data on steroid use in paediatric ALL, highlighting outcomes as well as major toxicities.
Continuous infusion during total joint arthroplasty in Japanese haemophilia A patients: comparison study among two recombinants and one plasma‐derived factor VIII
Authors: TAKEDANI H.
Published: April 2010

Summary.  As for the available factor VIII (FVIII) concentrates in Japan, there are two recombinant FVIII concentrates (Kogenate‐FS and Advate) and one highly purified plasma‐derived FVIII concentrate (Cross‐Eight M). To evaluate the inter‐product variability, the differences in the continuous infusion rates and total consumption of the above three concentrates were compared when continuous infusion was used as the administration mode to control bleeding during 28 total joint arthroplasties (TJAs) for 17 patients. There were no significant differences among the FVIII plasma levels during surgery, except day 0. Advate needed to be given at a significantly higher infusion rate (4.2–2.1 IU kg−1 h−1) than the other two concentrates (Kogenate‐FS: 1.0–2.9 IU kg−1 h−1, P < 0.01 and P < 0.05; Cross‐Eight M: 3.2–1.8 IU kg−1 h−1, P < 0.01); however, their infusion rates were within the rates which were previously reported. The total consumption of Advate (652.1 IU kg−1) was also significantly greater than either of the other concentrates (Kogenate‐FS: 395.1 IU kg−1, P < 0.01; Cross‐Eight M: 519.1 IU kg−1, P < 0.05). The results of this study showed that the continuous infusion of three FVIII concentrates is effective and safe during TJA, and also showed the differences in the continuous infusion rates and total consumption among concentrates when continuous infusion was used to control bleeding during surgery. These two results suggested that the continuous infusion of FVIII concentrate is a good administration mode, but there is still room for further investigation to use it as a more cost‐effective and safer administration mode.
MHC Class II epitope predictive algorithms
Authors: Nielsen Morten , Lund Ole , Buus Søren , Lundegaard Claus
Published: April 2010

Major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC‐II) molecules sample peptides from the extracellular space, allowing the immune system to detect the presence of foreign microbes from this compartment. To be able to predict the immune response to given pathogens, a number of methods have been developed to predict peptide–MHC binding. However, few methods other than the pioneering TEPITOPE/ProPred method have been developed for MHC‐II. Despite recent progress in method development, the predictive performance for MHC‐II remains significantly lower than what can be obtained for MHC‐I. One reason for this is that the MHC‐II molecule is open at both ends allowing binding of peptides extending out of the groove. The binding core of MHC‐II‐bound peptides is therefore not known a priori and the binding motif is hence not readily discernible. Recent progress has been obtained by including the flanking residues in the predictions. All attempts to make ab initio predictions based on protein structure have failed to reach predictive performances similar to those that can be obtained by data‐driven methods. Thousands of different MHC‐II alleles exist in humans. Recently developed pan‐specific methods have been able to make reasonably accurate predictions for alleles that were not included in the training data. These methods can be used to define supertypes (clusters) of MHC‐II alleles where alleles within each supertype have similar binding specificities. Furthermore, the pan‐specific methods have been used to make a graphical atlas such as the MHCMotifviewer, which allows for visual comparison of specificities of different alleles.
Dendritic cell differentiation with prostaglandin E2results in selective attenuation of the extracellular signal‐related kinase pathway and decreased interleukin‐23 production
Authors: Hayashi Fumie , Yanagawa Yoshiki , Onoé Kazunori , Iwabuchi Kazuya
Published: April 2010

The balance between interleukin (IL)‐12 and IL‐23 production by dendritic cells (DCs) is crucial for the induction of appropriate immune responses. In the present study, we examined the effect of prostaglandin E2(PGE2) treatment of DCs during differentiation on IL‐12 and IL‐23 production in response to Toll‐like receptor (TLR) stimulation. Bone marrow‐derived DCs were generated by culturing murine bone marrow cells with granulocyte–macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (GM‐CSF) alone (cont‐DCs) or GM‐CSF plus PGE2(PG‐DCs). Upon TLR stimulation, IL‐23 production by PG‐DCs was markedly decreased compared with that by cont‐DCs. However, no significant difference was detected in IL‐12 production between these types of DC. To examine the mechanism underlying the impaired production of IL‐23 by PG‐DCs, we analysed the activities of extracellular signal‐related kinases (ERKs) 1/2, p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK), c‐jun N‐terminal kinases 1/2, Akt, and nuclear factor (NF)‐κB (p65) in these DCs upon TLR stimulation. The ERK1/2 activity in PG‐DCs was significantly lower than that of cont‐DCs. No significant differences were detected in the activities of other molecules between cont‐DCs and PG‐DCs. In addition, treatment of cont‐DCs with U0126, a specific inhibitor of the ERK pathway, reduced the TLR‐mediated production by the DCs of IL‐23 but not IL‐12. Thus, DC development in the presence of PGE2results in selective attenuation of the ERK pathway. The attenuation of ERK activation appears to be responsible for the decreased IL‐23 production by PG‐DCs.
Differences in population size variability among populations and species of the family Salmonidae
Authors: Dochtermann Ned A. , Peacock Mary M.
Published: April 2010

1. How population sizes vary with time is an important ecological question with both practical and theoretical implications. Because population size variability corresponds to the operation of density‐dependent mechanisms and the presence of stable states, numerous researchers have attempted to conduct broad taxonomic comparisons of population size variability.

2. Most comparisons of population size variability suggest a general lack of taxonomic differences. However, these comparisons may conflate differences within taxonomic levels with differences among taxonomic levels. Further, the degree to which intraspecific differences may affect broader inferences has generally not been estimated and has largely been ignored.

3. To address this uncertainty, we examined intraspecific differences in population size variability for a total of 131 populations distributed among nine species of the Salmonidae. We extended this comparison to the interspecific level by developing species level estimates of population size variability.

4. We used a jackknife (re‐sampling) approach to estimate intra‐ and interspecific variation in population size variability. We found significant intraspecific differences in how population sizes vary with time in all six species of salmonids where it could be tested as well as clear interspecific differences. Further, despite significant interspecific variation, the majority of variation present was at the intraspecific level. Finally, we found that classic and recently developed measures of population variability lead to concordant inferences.

5. The presence of significant intraspecific differences in all species examined suggests that the ability to detect broad taxonomic patterns in how population sizes change over time may be limited if variance is not properly partitioned among and within taxonomic levels.
Disposition of oral telithromycin in foals and in vitro activity of the drug against macrolide‐susceptible and macrolide‐resistant Rhodococcus equi isolates
Authors: JAVSICAS L. H. , GIGUÈRE S. , WOMBLE ARIEL Y.
Published: April 2010

Javsicas, LH., Giguère, S., Womble, AY. Disposition of oral telithromycin in foals and in vitro activity of the drug against macrolide‐susceptible and macrolide‐resistant Rhodococcus equi isolates. J. vet. Pharmacol. Therap. doi: 10.1111/j.1365‐2885.2009.01151.x.

The objectives of this study were to determine the serum and pulmonary disposition of telithromycin in foals and to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of telithromycin against macrolide‐susceptible and macrolide‐resistant Rhodococcus equi isolates. A single dose of telithromycin (15 mg/kg of body weight) was administered to six healthy 6–10‐week‐old foals by the intragastric route. Activity of telithromycin was measured in serum, pulmonary epithelial lining fluid (PELF), and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cells using a microbiological assay. The broth macrodilution method was used to determine the MIC of telithromycin, azithromycin, clarithromycin and erythromycin against R. equi. Following intragastric administration, mean ± SD time to peak serum telithromycin activity (Tmax) was 1.75 ± 0.76 h, maximum serum activity (Cmax) was 1.43 ± 0.37 μg/mL, and terminal half‐life (t½) was 3.81 ± 0.40 h. Telithromycin activity, 4 h postadministration was significantly higher in BAL cells (50.9 ± 14.5 μg/mL) than in PELF (5.07 ± 2.64 μg/mL), and plasma (0.84 ± 0.25 μg/mL). The MIC90 of telithromycin for macrolide‐resistant R. equi isolates (8 μg/mL) was significantly higher than that of macrolide‐susceptible isolates (0.25 μg/mL). The MIC of telithromycin for macrolide‐resistant isolates (MIC50 = 4.0 μg/mL) was significantly lower than that of clarithromycin (MIC50 = 24.0 μg/mL), azithromycin (MIC50 =256 μg/mL) and erythromycin (MIC50 = 24 μg/mL).
The effects of L‐659,066, a peripheral α2‐adrenoceptor antagonist, and verapamil on the cardiovascular influences of dexmedetomidine in conscious sheep
Authors: RAEKALLIO M. R. , HONKAVAARA J. M. , VAINIO O. M.
Published: April 2010

Raekallio M. R., Honkavaara J. M., Vainio O. M. The effects of L‐659,066, a peripheral α2‐adrenoceptor antagonist, and verapamil on the cardiovascular influences of dexmedetomidine in conscious sheep.J. vet. Pharmacol. Therap.33, 434–438.

We investigated whether administration of L‐659,066, a peripheral α2‐adrenoceptor antagonist, or verapamil, a calcium‐channel antagonist, would prevent the cardiovascular effects of dexmedetomidine. Eleven sheep received three intravenous treatments with a randomized, cross‐over design: dexmedetomidine (5 μg/kg, DEX); DEX with L‐659,066 (250 μg/kg, DEX + L); and verapamil (0.05 mg/kg) 10 min prior to DEX (Ver + DEX). Haemodynamics were recorded at intervals upto 40 min. Acute increases in mean arterial pressure (MAP) (106 ± 10.7 to 120.8 ± 11.7 mmHg), central venous pressure (CVP) (3.3 ± 3.2 to 14.7 ± 5.0 mmHg) and systemic vascular resistance (SVR) (1579 ± 338 to 2301 ± 523 dyne s/cm5), and decreases in cardiac output (CO) (5.36 ± 0.87 to 3.93 ± 1.30 L/min) and heart rate (HR) (88.6 ± 15.3 to 49.7 ± 5.5/min) were detected with DEX. The peak SVR remained lower after Ver + DEX (1835 ± 226 dyne s/cm5) than DEX alone, but the other parameters did not significantly differ between these treatments. 2 min after drug delivery, differences between DEX and DEX + L were statistically significant for all measured haemodynamic parameters. With DEX + L, an early decrease in MAP (99.9 ± 6.8 to 89.3 ± 6.6 mmHg) was detected, and DEX + L induced a slight but significant increase in CVP and a decrease in HR at the end of the observation period, while SVR and CO did not significantly change. All animals were assessed as deeply sedated from 2–20 min with no differences between treatments. L‐659,066 has great potential for clinical use to prevent the cardiovascular effects of dexmedetomidine mediated by peripheral α2‐adrenoceptors, whereas the effects of verapamil were marginal.
C7 Deficiency and Meningococcal Infection Susceptibility in Two Spanish Families
Authors: Barroso S. , López‐Trascasa M. , Merino D. , Álvarez A. J. , Núñez‐Roldán A. , Sánchez B.
Published: April 2010

In this work, we report the genetic basis of C7 deficiency in two different Spanish families. In family 1, by using exon‐specific polymerase chain reaction and sequencing, a recently described mutation was found in homozygosity in the patient; a single base change in exon 15 (C2107T) leading to a stop codon that causes truncation of the C‐terminal portion of C7 (Q681X). Patient’s father, mother and sister were heterozygous for this mutation. Interestingly, patient’s parents were not related. In family 2, a new single base mutation in exon 2 (G90A), leading to a stop codon that causes the premature truncation of C7 (W8X), was found in the patient, mother and sister 1. Additionally, patient 2, her father and sisters, displayed a missense mutation in exon 9 (G1135C) resulting in a change of aminoacid (G357R). Although sister 1 bore the same mutations in the C7 gene that patient 2, she remains asymptomatic. Because both mutations were found in the patient and her sister, we analyse other defence mechanisms such as FcγR polymorphisms as well as mannose‐binding lectin alleles (MBL2 gene) and MBL levels. Results showed that both siblings bore identical combinations of FcγR allotypes and different MBL2 alleles, exhibiting patient 2 a MBL‐insufficient genotype. Normal MBL levels were found in patient 1 and in two previously studied C7‐deficient siblings, suggesting the involvement of other mechanisms of immunity distinct of FcγR variants and the MBL pathway, for the absence of meningococcal recurrent infections in certain C7‐deficient individuals.
Chitinase Induce the Release of IL‐8 in Human Airway Epithelial Cells, Via Ca2+‐dependent PKC and ERK Pathways
Authors: Hong J. Y. , Lee K. E. , Kim K. W. , Sohn M. H. , Kim K.‐E.
Published: April 2010

Chitinases are produced in significant quantities by hosts defending against infections with chitin‐containing organisms. However, little is known about the immune response of exogenous chitinase in human epithelial cells. IL‐8 has been suggested to have a role in the pathogenesis of the allergenic inflammation of bronchial asthma. We examined whether Streptomyces griseus (S. griseus) chitinase‐induced IL‐8 on airway epithelium and identified the involvement of intracellular signalling pathways. H292 cells were treated with S. griseus chitinase with different concentrations and times. The IL‐8 levels were determined by specific human IL‐8 enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Using a series of pharmacological inhibitors, we examined the upstream signalling pathway responsible for IL‐8 expression in response to S. griseus chitinase. Cells exposed to S. griseus chitinase showed higher level of IL‐8 protein production and mRNA expression. Cells stimulated by S. griseus chitinase resulted in the activation of protein kinase C (PKC), extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) and nuclear factor kappa‐B (NF‐kB) pathways. Inhibitors of Ca2+‐dependent PKC (Ro‐31‐8220, calphostin C and Gő6976) significantly abolished chitinase‐induced expression of IL‐8. However, Ca2+‐independent PKC inhibitor (rottlerin) did not inhibit IL‐8 expression. Through ERK inhibitor (U0126) and NF‐kB inhibitor (caffeine acid phenethyl ester) treatment, it was proven that ERK and NF‐kB regulated chitinase‐induced IL‐8 expression. We concluded that S. griseus chitinase‐induced IL‐8 expression was regulated by the activation of Ca2±‐dependent PKC, ERK and NF‐kB in human airway epithelial cells.
Analysis of VH Gene Rearrangement and Somatic Hypermutation in Sjogren’s Syndrome and IgG4‐Related Sclerosing Sialadenitis
Authors: Sakuma H. , Okumura F. , Miyabe S. , Sugiura M. , Joh T. , Shimozato K. , Inagaki H.
Published: April 2010

IgG4‐related sclerosing sialadenitis is currently considered as an autoimmune disease distinct from Sjogren’s syndrome (SS) and responds extremely well to steroid therapy. To further elucidate the characteristics of IgG4‐related sclerosing sialadenitis, we analysed VH fragments of IgH genes and their somatic hypermutation in SS (n = 3) and IgG4‐related sclerosing sialadenitis (n = 3), using sialolithiasis (n = 3) as a non‐autoimmune control. DNA was extracted from the affected inflammatory lesions. After PCR amplification of rearranged IgH genes, at least 50 clones per case (more than 500 clones in total) were sequenced for VH fragments. Monoclonal IgH rearrangement was not detected in any cases examined. When compared with sialolithiasis, there was no VH family or VH fragment specific to SS or IgG4‐related sclerosing sialadenitis. However, rates of unmutated VH fragments in SS (30%) and IgG4‐related sclerosing sialadenitis (39%) were higher than that in sialolithiasis (14%) with statistical significance (P = 0.0005 and P < 0.0001, respectively). This finding suggests that some autoantibodies encoded by germline or less mutated VH genes may fail to be eliminated and could play a role in the development of SS and IgG4‐related sclerosing sialadenitis.
Clinical and Molecular Characterization of X‐linked Hyper‐IgM Syndrome Patients in China
Authors: An Y. , Xiao J. , Jiang L. , Yang X. , Yu J. , Zhao X.
Published: April 2010

X‐linked Hyper‐IgM syndrome (XHIM) is caused by mutations of CD154 gene also known as CD40 ligand (CD40L). CD40L is expressed in activated T cells and interacts with CD40 receptor expressed on B lymphocytes and dendritic cells. Affected patients present cellular and humoral immune defects, with infections by intracellular, opportunistic and extracellular pathogens. In the present study, we investigate molecular defects involved in the XHIM in five patients and identified five distinct CD40L mutations, three of which had not been previously described. P1 harboured a novel p.L193P mutation, which abolished the expression of CD40L. P2 had a frameshift deletion in exon 3 (p.E108fsX19), which also decreased the protein expression. P3 demonstrated p.E54X change in exon 2. P4 harboured the p.Q186X change in the exon 5. P5 demonstrated p. E142X change in exon 5. Mutations in P3, P4 and P5 all led to the production of premature CD40L protein. Two of the five genetically defined patients received umbilical cord blood stem cell transplantation from unrelated donor and achieved clinical remission, and the expression of CD40L on the peripheral blood mononuclear cells restored. These mutations reflect the heterogeneity of CD40L gene, indicating the need for accurate and reliable molecular testing in patients suspected of XHIM.
Perennial lucerne affects weed community trajectories in grain crop rotations
Authors: MEISS H , MÉDIÈNE S , WALDHARDT R , CANEILL J , BRETAGNOLLE V , REBOUD X , MUNIER‐JOLAIN N
Published: April 2010

Meiss H, Médiène S, Waldhardt R, Caneill J, Bretagnolle V, Reboud X & Munier‐Jolain N (2010). Perennial lucerne affects weed community trajectories in grain crop rotations. Weed Research50, 331–340.

Complex crop rotations may be beneficial for weed management. We analysed how pluriannual forage crops may affect weed composition during cereal‐based crop rotations. Using a space‐for‐time‐substitution design, we compared weed composition and diversity before, during and after perennial crops. We surveyed four groups of fields: (a) winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) following annual crops, (b) 1‐year old lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) following annual crops, (c) 2–6 years old lucerne and (d) winter wheat following pluriannual lucerne in western France (420 fields in total). Weed composition varied among the four groups, suggesting a cyclic trajectory corresponding to the phases of the crop rotation. Indicator Species Analysis showed that these differences were due to at least 40 species, including the most common weeds. A functional group analysis showed that perennial lucerne crops shifted the communities away from several problematic weeds, especially annual broad‐leaved species with an upright or climbing morphology. This effect was also visible in the wheat following lucerne. Other species (including perennials, annuals with rosettes and some grasses) benefited from the particular growth conditions in lucerne but decreased in the following wheat. The diversification of arable crop rotations with perennial crops may thus be useful for Integrated Weed Management, reducing the need for herbicides. Other species less harmful to annual crops were favoured, resulting in increased floristic diversity.
Outcomes of renal transplantation in recipients with Wegener’s granulomatosis
Authors: Shen Jenny , Gill Jagbir , Shangguan Muyun , Sampaio Marcelo S. , Bunnapradist Suphamai
Published: April 2010

Shen J, Gill J, Shangguan M, Sampaio MS., Bunnapradist S. Outcomes of renal transplantation in recipients with Wegener’s granulomatosis. Clin Transplant 2011: 25: 380–387. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Abstract:  Wegener’s granulomatosis (WG) is the leading cause of rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis‐induced end‐stage renal disease (ESRD). In this study, we compared transplant outcomes between recipients with ESRD caused by WG to recipients with ESRD secondary to other causes. Using OPTN/UNOS data from 1996 to 2007, 919 recipients with WG were identified. Post‐transplant outcomes included rates of delayed graft function, acute rejection within one‐yr post‐transplant, overall and death‐censored graft survival, and patient survival and were compared between recipients with ESRD secondary to WG versus ESRD from other causes. Recipients with ESRD because of WG had superior unadjusted and adjusted rates of graft loss, patient death, and functional graft loss (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 0.711, 0.631, and 0.625 respectively, p < 0.001). When we compared the WG cohort to a non‐WG, non‐diabetic population, the HR for graft loss was still significant, but patient death and death‐censored graft loss were not. Subgroup analysis of recipients aged over 60 confirmed that WG recipients had better unadjusted outcomes. This study supports the notion that renal transplantation is an effective treatment option for patients with ESRD secondary to WG. They fare similarly, if not better, than other patients.
Isolation and characterisation of bacterial colonies from seeds and in vitro cultures of Fraxinus spp. from Italian sites
Authors: Donnarumma F. , Capuana M. , Vettori C. , Petrini G. , Giannini R. , Indorato C. , Mastromei G.
Published: April 2010

Culturable bacteria were isolated from seeds, embryos and contaminated in vitro cultures of ash (Fraxinus excelsior L., F. ornus L. and F. angustifolia L.) and were identified using morphological and molecular analyses. Fourteen morphologically distinct isolates were recovered from seeds of Fraxinus spp. 16S rDNA sequencing categorised these isolates into ten separate genera. Three strains isolated from contaminated in vitro cultures, Pantoea agglomerans, Staphylococcus succinus and Aerococcus viridans, were used for comparative analysis with isolates from seeds. Antibiotic sensitivity testing of the isolated contaminants, including phytotoxicity of antibiotics on in vitro cultures of ash, was also investigated. Phytotoxic effects on explants immersed in ampicillin or cultured on medium containing ampicillin were negligible, however tetracycline, either alone or in combination with other antibiotics, had phytotoxic effects. We conclude that ampicillin is a suitable antibiotic to limit the growth of contaminating bacteria during the in vitro culture of ash.
Relationship between Distance to Cover, Vigilance and Group Size in Staging Flocks of Semipalmated Sandpipers
Authors: Beauchamp Guy
Published: April 2010

Cover can be either a source of protection or a source of danger for foragers. Distance to cover creates a gradient in predation risk that allows examining adjustments in anti‐predator behaviour such as group size and vigilance. As distance to obstructive cover increases, both group size and vigilance are expected to decrease given that individuals have more time to react to a more distant source of danger. I provide an empirical test of these predictions in staging semipalmated sandpipers (Calidris pusilla) in a system controlling for many confounding factors that have marred earlier research. Controlling for food density, forager density and phenotypic attributes often correlated with distance to cover, I found that as distance to obstructive cover increased, sandpipers foraged in sparser groups, were less flighty and to some extent less vigilant. Such controlled studies are needed to re‐assess the relationship between distance to cover and anti‐predator behaviour.
Molecular Characterization of Tomato Leaf Curl Hainan Virus, a New Begomovirus, and Evidence for Recombination
Authors: Zhang Hui , Hu Gaojie , Zhou Xueping
Published: April 2010

Virus isolates HaNHK7 and HaNHK8 were obtained from tomato plants showing leaf curl symptoms in Hainan Province of China. The complete DNA sequences of both isolates were determined to be 2748 nucleotides, with all the characteristic features of begomovirus genome organization. The two isolates share 99.8% identity with each other but have <88.3% nucleotide sequence identity with other begomoviruses. Consequently, HaNHK7 and HaNHK8 are considered to be isolates of a novel Begomovirus species, for which the name Tomato leaf curl Hainan virus (ToLCHnV) is proposed. ToLCHnV is most closely related to Papaya leaf curl China virus (PaLCuCNV, AJ558117) (88.3% in total nucleotide sequences). However, the AC2 gene more resembles that of Ageratum leaf curl virus (ALCuV, AJ851005) and AC1 and AC4 genes resemble those of Tomato leaf curl Vietnam virus (ToLCVV, AF264063). Sequence analyses suggest that ToLCHnV may have arisen by recombination between viruses related to PaLCuCNV, ALCuV and ToLCVV. Neither the DNA‐B component nor the DNA‐β molecule was found to be associated with ToLCHnV isolates.
Prothrombin complex concentrates used alone in urgent reversal of warfarin anticoagulation
Authors: Tran H. , Collecutt M. , Whitehead S. , Salem H. H.
Published: April 2010

Background: Prothrombinex‐VF (a three‐factor prothrombin complex concentrate) contains little factor VII. Therefore, the Warfarin Reversal Consensus Guidelines from 2004 published by The Australasian Society of Haemostasis and Thrombosis recommend that it be administered with fresh frozen plasma to reverse warfarin anticoagulation.

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Prothrombinex‐VF used alone in warfarin reversal.

Methods: Adult patients requiring urgent reversal of warfarin anticoagulation were defined as having achieved complete (target international normalized ratio (INR) <1.4) or partial reversal (target INR 1.4–2.0) of their anticoagulation. Prothrombinex‐VF was given at doses of between 25 and 50 IU/kg based on the intent of reversal and an INR was obtained 30 min post infusion.

Results: A total of 50 patients (mean age 72 years, range 32–85 years) was included. The median initial INR in the complete reversal arm (n= 35) was 3.5 (range 1.7–20) with 91% achieving the target INR (mean 1.1, range 0.9–1.4). In the partial reversal arm (n= 15) the mean initial INR was 5.6 (range 2.5–12) with 93% achieving the target INR (mean 1.6, range 1.4–2.2). There were no adverse effects attributed to Prothrombinex‐VF.

Conclusions: Prothrombinex‐VF is very effective and safe when used alone to reverse warfarin anticoagulation. The supplementary use of fresh frozen plasma in these patients is not required. A review of the current Warfarin Reversal Consensus Guidelines is needed.
Two‐year oscillation cycle in abundance of soybean aphid in Indiana
Authors: Rhainds Marc , Yoo Ho Jung S. , Kindlmann Pavel , Voegtlin Dave , Castillo Diana , Rutledge Claire , Sadof Clifford , Yaninek Steve , O'Neil Robert J.
Published: April 2010

The present study evaluated the population dynamics of the heteroecious soybean aphid Aphis glycines Matsumura (Hemiptera: Aphididae) during an 8‐year period in Indiana, shortly after its detection in North America. Sampling conducted at multiple locations revealed that A. glycines exhibited a 2‐year oscillation cycle that repeated itself four times between 2001 and 2008: years of low aphid abundance were consistently followed by years of high aphid abundance.

Similar patterns of abundance of A. glycines and coccinellids (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) in soybean fields, both within and between‐years, suggest that late season predation by coccinellids plays a role in the oscillatory cycle of aphids. Insidious flower bugs Orius insidiosus (Say) (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) were numerically more abundant than coccinellids, although the lack of synchrony between aphids and predatory bugs suggests that O. insidiosus has a limited influence on between‐year variations in aphid density.

The inverse relationship between aphid densities before and after the start of the autumn migratory period changes direction in alternate years. High aphid density on soybean in the summer is associated with a reduced number of alate migrants produced in the autumn. Conversely, years with low density aphids on soybean in the summer are characterized by high numbers of alates that migrate to the primary host in the autumn.

From a pest management perspective, the 2‐year oscillation cycle of A. glycines is a desirable attribute with respect to population dynamics because it implies that aphids cause significant economic damage only in alternate years (as opposed to every year). Cultural practices enhancing the conservation biological control of Coccinellidae may help to preserve the periodicity of aphid infestation and restrict the pest status of A. glycines.
Performance of the invasive weevil Polydrusus sericeus is influenced by atmospheric CO2 and host species
Authors: Hillstrom Michael L. , Vigue Leanne M. , Coyle David R. , Raffa Kenneth F. , Lindroth Richard L.
Published: April 2010

Natural forest systems constitute a major portion of the world's land area, and are subject to the potentially negative effects of both global climate change and invasion by exotic insects. A suite of invasive weevils has become established in the northern hardwood forests of North America. How these insects will respond to increasing CO2 or O3 is unknown.

The present study examined the effects of elevated atmospheric CO2 and O3 on the invasive weevil Polydrusus sericeus Schaller at the Aspen Free Air CO2 Enrichment (FACE) site near Rhinelander, Wisconsin. A performance assay was conducted in the laboratory during the summer of 2007 using mated pairs of P. sericeus fed a combination of aspen, birch and maple foliage. We recorded leaf area consumption, oviposition and adult longevity. We also conducted visual abundance surveys in the field from 2004 to 2007 on aspen and birch at Aspen FACE.

Elevated CO2, but not O3, significantly affected P. sericeus performance. Female, but not male, longevity was reduced under elevated CO2. Polydrusus sericeus also produced fewer eggs under elevated CO2 conditions compared with ambient conditions. Adult P. sericeus strongly preferred birch over both aspen and maple, regardless of fumigation treatment.

The effects of elevated CO2 on P. sericeus populations at Aspen FACE were minimal, and varied among years and host tree species. Polydrusus sericeus abundance was significantly greater on birch than aspen. Over the long term, elevated CO2 may reduce adult female longevity and fecundity of P. sericeus. Further studies are needed to evaluate how this information may scale to ecosystem impacts.
Effects of genotype, elevated CO2 and elevated O3 on aspen phytochemistry and aspen leaf beetle Chrysomela crotchi performance
Authors: Vigue Leanne M. , Lindroth Richard L.
Published: April 2010

Trembling aspen Populus tremuloides Michaux is an important forest species in the Great Lakes region and displays tremendous genetic variation in foliar chemistry. Elevated carbon dioxide (CO2) and ozone (O3) may also influence phytochemistry and thereby alter the performance of insect herbivores such as the aspen leaf beetle Chrysomela crotchi Brown.

The present study aimed to relate genetic‐ and atmospheric‐based variation in aspen phytochemistry to C. crotchi performance (larval development time, adult mass, survivorship). The experiment was conducted at the Aspen Free‐Air CO2 Enrichment (FACE) site in northern Wisconsin. Beetles were reared on three aspen genotypes under elevated CO2 and/or O3. Leaves were collected to determine chemical characteristics.

The foliage exhibited significant variation in nitrogen, condensed tannins and phenolic glycosides among genotypes. CO2 and O3, however, had little effect on phytochemistry. Nonetheless, elevated CO2 decreased beetle performance on one aspen genotype and had inconsistent effects on beetles reared on two other genotypes. Elevated O3 decreased beetle performance, especially for beetles reared on an O3‐sensitive genotype. Regression analyses indicated that phenolic glycosides and nitrogen explain a substantial amount (27–45%) of the variation in herbivore performance.

By contrast to the negative effects that are typically observed with generalist herbivores, aspen leaf beetles appear to benefit from phenolic glycosides, chemical components that are largely genetically‐determined in aspen. The results obtained in the present study indicate that host genetic variation and atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases will be important factors in the performance of specialist herbivores, such as C. crotchi, in future climates.
Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus have higher risk for acute pancreatitis compared with those without diabetes
Authors: Girman C. J. , Kou T. D. , Cai B. , Alexander C. M. , O’Neill E. A. , Williams‐Herman D. E. , Katz L.
Published: April 2010

Aim: The aetiology of acute pancreatitis (AP) is complex, and many risk factors for AP are shared by patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, few have assessed risk factors for AP specifically in T2DM patients.

Methods: Patients in the General Practice Research Database (2 984 755, 5.0% with T2DM) were used to estimate incidence of AP for T2DM relative to non‐diabetes, adjusting for prior pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, obesity, smoking and alcohol use. Multivariate Cox regression analysis adjusting for risk factors and Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) was used to estimate hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results: Between 2003 and 2007, 301 of 148 903 patients with T2DM and 2434 of almost 3 million patients without diabetes developed AP. Patients with T2DM had higher risk for AP compared with patients without diabetes (crude HR: 2.89, 95% CI: 2.56–3.27). Patients with T2DM had significantly higher rates of prior alcohol and tobacco exposure (44.2 and 61.9% vs. 34.1 and 35.9%, p < 0.001) and of comorbid conditions (14.7% with CCI ≥1 vs. 4.3%, p < 0.001). Histories of obesity, pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, smoking or alcohol use were significant predictors of AP. After adjusting for these factors, age, gender and comorbidities, the risk of developing AP remained elevated in patients with T2DM (adjusted HR: 1.49, 95% CI: 1.31–1.70).

Conclusion: After adjusting for risk factors, patients with T2DM had an elevated risk of AP compared with patients without diabetes. Physicians should be aware of the increased risk in patients with T2DM, particularly in those with prior pancreatitis.
NO DEEP POCKETS: SOME STYLIZED EMPIRICAL RESULTS ON FIRMS’ FINANCIAL CONSTRAINTS
Authors: Carreira Carlos , Silva Filipe
Published: April 2010

Abstract This paper is a survey of recent empirical work on financial constraints faced by firms. It is organized as a series of stylized results which mirror what is generally understood about the severity of financial constraints and the effects that they have upon firms. The review of the literature shows that (a) financial constraints are a widespread key concern for firms, hindering their ability to carry out their optimal investment and growth trajectories and (b) the severity of such constraints depends on institutional and firm specific characteristics, as well as on the nature of investment projects.
Social differentiation revisited: A study of rural changes and peasant strategies in Vietnam
Authors: Trang Tran Thi Thu
Published: April 2010

This article analyses the processes of transformation and differentiation since the 1950s in a Vietnamese rural village, hereafter called Chieng Hoa.1 It examines how radical changes in political discourse and economic policies at the national level have affected the welfare and social relations of villagers and how the latter have in turn coped, resisted, as well as shaped such structural changes. Using concrete life stories of local people, the article identifies the winners and losers in this transformation process, the trajectories households or individuals have taken to arrive at their current positions, and the strategies that they are adopting for the future. It demonstrates that differentiation in Chieng Hoa implies changes in social relations, including but not limited to relations of production, and that even within this single locality, differentiation can take various forms and processes over time, whether specific to or cutting across changes in macro‐policies. The article also reveals that in the often perceived equal collectivisation, inequalities still existed and became causes of differentiation in the subsequent decollectivisation period. However, while conditions for a permanent differentiation were present, such process has failed to materialise in the current integration period. Differentiation has become more unpredictable as past winners can lose out due to unstable market conditions.
Building knowledge city in transformation era: Knowledge‐based urban development in Beijing in the context of globalisation and decentralisation
Authors: Zhao Pengjun
Published: April 2010

This study examines knowledge‐based urban development in Beijing with the objective of revealing the impact of the ‘synergetic’ forces of globalisation and local government intervention on knowledge‐based urban development in the context of the coexisting processes of globalisation and decentralisation. The findings in this paper show that due to the rapid growth of the cultural industry sector, knowledge‐based urban development has created various kinds of ‘cultural industry clustered areas’, which were recently promoted by the 2008 Olympic Games. ‘Synergetic’ global and local forces are leading knowledge‐based urban development, with the emergence of a local coalition regime in which local government manages local development, considered as ‘enterprises’ in the decentralisation process, while the State retains a significant influence on knowledge‐based urban development. The central and municipal governments tend to emphasise strategies to ‘facilitate the climate for growth’ rather than the centrally planned control they exerted prior to the 1980s.
Research Note: Industry outsourcing and regional development in Northeast Thailand
Authors: Promsaka Na Sakolnakorn Thongphon , Khamanarong Suranart , Khamanarong Kimaporn , Imtawil Virasit , Overton John
Published: April 2010

Industry outsourcing has become a significant feature of industrialisation in Southeast Asia. This study presents the findings of a study of smaller industrial enterprises in Northeast Thailand that outsource some of their operations to workers in rural villages. It was found that social relationships rather than formal contracts are critical in the management and spread of such outsourcing and that industries use outsourcing primarily as a flexible strategy to lower costs of production.
Over Two Decades of Integration‐Based, Geometric Flow Visualization
Authors: McLoughlin Tony , Laramee Robert S. , Peikert Ronald , Post Frits H. , Chen Min
Published: April 2010

With ever increasing computing power, it is possible to process ever more complex fluid simulations. However, a gap between data set sizes and our ability to visualize them remains. This is especially true for the field of flow visualization, which deals with large, time‐dependent, multivariate simulation data sets. In this paper, geometry‐based flow visualization techniques form the focus of discussion. Geometric flow visualization methods place discrete objects in the velocity field whose characteristics reflect the underlying properties of the flow. A great amount of progress has been made in this field over the last two decades. However, a number of challenges remain, including placement, speed of computation and perception. In this survey, we review and classify geometric flow visualization literature according to the most important challenges when considering such a visualization, a central theme being the seeding algorithm upon which they are based. This paper details our investigation into these techniques with discussions on their applicability and their relative merits and drawbacks. The result is an up‐to‐date overview of the current state‐of‐the‐art that highlights both solved and unsolved problems in this rapidly evolving branch of research. It also serves as a concise introduction to the field of flow visualization research.
Course and prognosis of myasthenia gravis: a systematic review
Authors: Mao Z.‐F. , Mo X.‐A. , Qin C. , Lai Y.‐R. , Olde Hartman T. C.
Published: April 2010

The clinical course of myasthenia gravis (MG) is variable, and spontaneous remission is still uncommon. Knowledge of the prognostic factors may help understand the course of MG and thus optimize its management. A systematic review search was conducted in MEDLINE and EMBASE for English language studies from 1985 through 2009. We identified additional studies by reviewing bibliographies of retrieved articles and hand search main journal of neurology. Studies evaluating variables associated with or predictive of remission in adult patients with MG were included. Because of methodological heterogeneity, we refrained from statistical pooling, instead, a best evidence synthesis was used for summarizing the results. From 1810 potentially relevant studies, 13 cohort studies met the inclusion criteria. The included studies were heterogeneous considerably in sample size, disease duration, follow‐up years, definition of remission, and analysis. Study quality was limited by retrospective design in most studies and lack of multivariate analysis. Time of diagnosis from onset (<1 year) showed strong evidence of predicting a better remission. In studies using completely stable remission outcomes, there was strong evidence that age at onset (<40 years) was of prognostic importance. Furthermore, gender showed no association with remission. Time of diagnosis from onset and age at onset were found to be predictors of remission. Gender does not seem to predict the course of MG. Our findings should be interpreted with caution because of the clinical and methodological heterogeneity of included studies.