bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Segmentation of Bank Commercial Markets
Authors: Chéron Emmanuel J. , McTavish Ronald , Perrien Jean
Published: May 2006

The bank commercial market is less homogeneous than the retail
market which justifies the development of differentiated marketing
activities to meet the distinct needs of subgroups of commercial
clients. A two‐stage segmentation approach to the bank commercial market
is presented. The objectives and resources of the bank with the
associated costs/benefits of each segment determine the choice of target
segments and whether the second stage will be performed. The first stage
of the procedure is illustrated with the use of geographical statistical
data and internal data on commercial clients to perform a detailed
analysis of the commercial coverage of the bank. Additional data used to
illustrate the second stage are the perceived importance and performance
of financial services by the banks′ commercial clients. Limitations and
benefits of the procedure for marketing decision making are presented in
the conclusion.
Differences between Small and Medium Sized Exporting and
Non‐Exporting Firms: Nature or Nurture
Authors: Ah Keng Kau , Soo Jiuan Tan
Published: May 2006

This article focuses on the relevant demographics, attitudes,
behaviours, and concerns of small‐medium sized exporting and
non‐exporting firms in Singapore in an attempt to determine whether
measures can be developed to nurture non‐exporters into exporters. The
findings suggest that while basic differences in demographics exist
between the two groups, the attitudinal and behavioural differences are
acquired. Therefore, programmes may be developed to nurture
non‐exporting firms to be export‐oriented.
Towards a Theory of Organisational Culture
Authors: Owens Robert G. , Steinhoff Carl R.
Published: May 2006

Students of organisation generally hold that deciphering the
subtleties and nuances of behaviour, speech and artifacts in order to
describe and understand organisational culture can only be done through
such observational field methods as ethnography. Owens and Steinhoff
question this assumption and the methodological limitations inherent in
it. They sought to develop a paper‐and‐pencil instrument that may be
used to probe the unseen, unvoiced, virtually preconscious elements that
underlie and give rise to the organisational culture of schools in order
to assess systematically the organisational cultures in them. The
authors explain the theory of organisational culture which guided the
development of their research instrument, the Organisational Culture
Assessment Inventory (OCAI).
Adoption of a Service Innovation: a Case Study with
Managerial Implications
Authors: Warren William E. , Abercrombie C.L. , Berl Robert L.
Published: May 2006

Reviews the findings of a study investigating the adoption of a
service innovation and the relative importance to consumers in making
the adoption decision. Suggests managerial implications and
recommendations as a result of the study. Identifies other service
industries to which the implications could be relevant. Includes an
appendix describing the methodology of the study.
Ready, Fire, Aim: Explaining an Entrepreneurial Strategy for New Products
Authors: Copulsky William
Published: May 2006

Considers cases of new product launches where market analysis
suggests that the product will fail but when pushed through by an
entrepreneur proves to be a commercial success. Describes the process of
product introduction to fill unrecognized needs as Ready‐Fire‐Aim, since
the market can only be appreciated after the launch. Concludes that
product champions must be in a corporate culture that allows risk, and
should be prepared to risk their job on a risky venture.
Biogeographical patterns in endoparasite communities of a marine fish (Sebastes capensis Gmelin) with extended range in the Southern Hemisphere
Authors: González M. T. , Barrientos C. , Moreno C. A.
Published: May 2006

Aim  The endoparasites of Sebastes capensis Gmelin are examined over most of its geographical range (coasts of Peru, Chile, Argentina and South Africa) to determine: (1) whether the endoparasite communities of this fish show zoogeographical patterns; and (2) if so, whether there are any relationships between spatial variations in the endoparasite fauna and known zoogeographical patterns for marine free‐living organisms (e.g. prey that are included in the life cycles of endoparasites).

Location  Fish were captured at nine localities along the Pacific coast of South America, from 11° S in the centre of the Peruvian coast, to 52° S in southern Chile, and also at two localities in the Atlantic Ocean, at 43° S in Argentina, and 34° S in South Africa.

Methods  From April to September 2003 and April to August 2004, 626 fish were captured. Endoparasites and diet were examined following traditional methods. Cluster analyses were used to evaluate the distribution patterns of the endoparasite communities, and to evaluate similarities in the prey composition per locality.

Results  The endoparasite fauna of S. capensis consisted of four species widely distributed along the Pacific coast: Ascarophis cf. sebastodis, Anisakis sp., Corynosoma australe, and Pseudopecoelus sp. Other parasites were distributed only in some geographical areas. The species richness of the parasite communities increased with latitude along the Pacific coast, while parasite communities from Argentina and South Africa showed low species richness. Cluster analyses based on endoparasite composition and on prey composition grouped localities in a way consistent with known biogeographical areas for marine free‐living organisms.

Main conclusions  The endoparasites of S. capensis exhibit a pattern associated with known biogeographical areas for free‐living organisms. The latitudinal increase in endoparasite community richness is associated with changes in prey composition (intermediate hosts) and also possibly with the presence of definitive hosts. Therefore, the biogeographical patterns of prey are considered key determinants of the endoparasite community structure of the host.
Size variation and mating success in the stag beetle,Lucanus cervus
Authors: HARVEY DEBORAH J. , GANGE ALAN C.
Published: May 2006

AbstractThe stag beetle,Lucanus cervus, is Britain’s largest beetle, with a patchy distribution in southern England. The literature suggests that it displays exceptional size variation, particularly in the males, but no analysis of size inequality has ever been conducted. In the present study, stag beetle adults are measured and allometric relationships derived between various parameters and total body length. Most of the specimens found each year are fragments and head width can be used as a good predictor of total body length in each sex. Body size differs between years and between localities and male beetles show a greater degree of size inequality than females. However,L. cervusdoes not show greater inequality in size than many other beetle species and populations of males are composed of a relatively large number of small individuals. These males are not at a disadvantage in mating because it is the ratio of male : female size that determines mating success. Very large males are less successful in mating and it is suggested that lack of mating success may act as an additional constraint on mandible size in this species. Size variation is most likely caused by variation in larval food resources, coupled with variation in local climatic conditions.
Effects of myoinhibitory peptides on food intake in the German cockroach
Authors: AGUILAR RUTH , MAESTRO JOSÉ L. , BELLÉS XAVIER
Published: May 2006

Abstract Insect myoinhibitory peptides were discovered through their inhibitory activity on visceral muscle contraction. The present study tests the antimyotropic gut properties of three galanin‐related myoinhibitory peptides (Mas‐MIP II: GWQDLNSAW‐NH2; Grb‐AST‐B1: GWQDLNGGW‐NH2; and Grb‐AST‐B3: AWRDLSGGW‐NH2) in adult females of the cockroach Blattella germanica (L.) (Dictyoptera, Blattellidae). The three peptides elicit a strong inhibitory effect on both foregut and hindgut contractions, with ID50 values in all the cases within the nanomolar range. In addition, the modulatory effects of these three peptides on food intake are studied on previously starved female cockroaches. The results show that Grb‐AST‐B3 is the most active peptide, inhibiting food intake by 60–80% at doses between 15 and 50 µg, followed by Grb‐AST‐B1 (45% inhibition of food intake at the 50 µg dose), whereas Mas‐MIP II is inactive even at the 50 µg dose. The differences between the three peptides may be due to a differential effect of their structure on activity or to a differential degradation. These results show that myomodulatory gut activity in vitro and antifeeding effects do not always correlate.
Identification and characterization of Arabidopsis gibberellin receptors
Authors: Nakajima Masatoshi , Shimada Asako , Takashi Yoshiyuki , Kim Young‐Cheon , Park Seung‐Hyun , Ueguchi‐Tanaka Miyako , Suzuki Hiroyuki , Katoh Etsuko , Iuchi Satoshi , Kobayashi Masatomo , Maeda Tatsuya , Matsuoka Makoto , Yamaguchi Isomaro
Published: May 2006

Three gibberellin (GA) receptor genes (AtGID1a, AtGID1b and AtGID1c), each an ortholog of the rice GA receptor gene (OsGID1), were cloned from Arabidopsis, and the characteristics of their recombinant proteins were examined. The GA‐binding activities of the three recombinant proteins were confirmed by an in vitro assay. Biochemical analyses revealed similar ligand selectivity among the recombinants, and all recombinants showed higher affinity to GA4 than to other GAs. AtGID1b was unique in its binding affinity to GA4 and in its pH dependence when compared with the other two, by only showing binding in a narrow pH range (pH 6.4–7.5) with 10‐fold higher affinity (apparent Kd for GA4 = 3 × 10−8 m) than AtGID1a and AtGID1c. A two‐hybrid yeast system only showed in vivo interaction in the presence of GA4 between each AtGID1 and the Arabidopsis DELLA proteins (AtDELLAs), negative regulators of GA signaling. For this interaction with AtDELLAs, AtGID1b required only one‐tenth of the amount of GA4 that was necessary for interaction between the other AtGID1s and AtDELLAs, reflecting its lower Kd value. AtDELLA boosted the GA‐binding activity of AtGID1 in vitro, which suggests the formation of a complex between AtDELLA and AtGID1–GA that binds AtGID1 to GA more tightly. The expression of each AtGID1 clone in the rice gid1‐1 mutant rescued the GA‐insensitive dwarf phenotype. These results demonstrate that all three AtGID1s functioned as GA receptors in Arabidopsis.
Ding Chuan Tang, a Chinese herb decoction, could improve airway hyper‐responsiveness in stabilized asthmatic children: a randomized, double‐blind clinical trial*
Authors: Chan Chin‐Kan , Kuo Ming‐Ling , Shen Jiann‐Jong , See Lai‐Chu , Chang Hen‐Hong , Huang Jing‐Long
Published: May 2006

Traditional Chinese medicine has a long history of application in the treatment of bronchial asthma. Solid scientific evidence, however, is not available despite its widespread use among patients worldwide and in Taiwan. To assess the effect of Ding Chuan Tang (DCT) in airway hyper‐responsiveness (AHR) on asthmatic children via randomized, double blind, placebo‐controlled clinical trial. This study enrolled children who were aged 8–15 and diagnosed as mild to moderate persistent asthma patients. They were randomly allocated to receive 6.0 g DCT or placebo daily for 12 wk. Self‐recorded daily symptom scores, medication scores, and morning and evening peak expiratory flow rates were returned at the monthly clinic. Pulmonary function test, methacholine challenge test, and serum inflammatory mediators were measured before and at the end of the trial. Fifty‐two asthmatic children completed the clinical study. Twenty‐eight patients were assigned to the treatment group and 24 to the placebo group. At the end of the treatment period, AHR determined by log PC20 was significantly improved in the DCT group (0.51 ± 1.05 mg/ml vs. 0.26 ± 0.84 mg/ml, p = 0.034). The total clinical and medication reduced parameters showed improvement in the DCT group (p = 0.004). The AHR, symptom and medication scores in children with persistent asthma were significantly improved with DCT treat for 12 wk. The results suggested more stable airways achieved with such an add‐on complementary therapy.
Immunohistochemistry detects mismatch repair gene defects in colorectal cancer
Authors: Hameed F. , Goldberg P. A. , Hall P. , Algar U. , Van Wijk R. , Ramesar R.
Published: May 2006

Objective  The clinical management of colorectal malignancies that arise via the mismatch repair gene pathway may differ from those that arise from the more common loss of heterozygosity pathway. They respond differently to chemotherapy, have a different prognosis and are associated with a raised incidence of metachronous lesions if a germline mutation is present. Established methods of detecting mismatch repair gene defects require the testing for microsatellite instability. This is expensive and requires specialized molecular biological resources and staff. An immunohistochemical method is attractive because it is far cheaper, and can be performed by most anatomical pathology laboratories. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of mismatch repair gene defects using immunohistochemistry in a group of patients who were aged ≤ 45 years at the time of diagnosis of colorectal cancer and to compare the patient survival and pathological features of tumours with and without mismatch repair gene defects.

Methods  One hundred and four patients with colorectal cancer, diagnosed at 45 years or younger between January 1983 and December 2001, who had been managed at Groote Schuur Hospital, were identified from clinical records. Demographic and clinical data was collected from the clinical notes. The pathological reports were reviewed and the original histopathological slides retrieved. New tissue sections were cut from the original paraffin embedded tissue blocks to obtain both normal colonic mucosa and tumour on the same slide. There was insufficient tissue available or poor staining in 11 patients so 93 were available for the study.

Results  The mismatch repair status was detected by antibodies to hMLH1 and hMSH2 gene product using a standard immunohistochemical technique. Fifty‐six (60%) of 93 tumours demonstrated normal expression of both hMLH1 and hMSH2 protein. Twenty‐five (27%) tumours did not express hMLH1 and 12 (13%) hMSH2 proteins. Comparison of the histopathological features revealed that a greater proportion of tumours with absence of either the hMLH1 or hMSH2 product were right sided, mucinous and poorly differentiated when compared to those that expressed the gene product. There was no detectable difference in overall survival or in survival of patients with Duke's C carcinoma when the groups were separated by the presence or absence of gene product.

Conclusions  This study found that 40% of patients who were ≤ 45 years of age at the time of diagnosis of colorectal cancer seen at Groote Schuur Hospital have tumours which are related to the absence of expression of either hMLH1 or hMSH2 genes.
Oral antidiabetic agents as cardiovascular drugs
Authors: Macfarlane D. P. , Paterson K. R. , Fisher M.
Published: May 2006

The increased risk of cardiovascular disease associated with type 2 diabetes is well documented. Lesser degrees of abnormal glucose metabolism including impaired fasting glycaemia and impaired glucose tolerance are also associated with increased cardiovascular risk. Studies showing improved cardiovascular outcomes with oral antidiabetic agents are limited, with the UKPDS demonstrating improved macrovascular outcomes only in a subgroup of obese patients with type 2 diabetes treated with metformin, and the heavily criticized STOP NIDDM trial showing a reduction in the number of cardiovascular events with the alpha glucosidase inhibitor acarbose. In recent years there has been an increase in the number of oral antidiabetic drugs available to treat the hyperglycaemia of diabetes. Some of these drugs have complex metabolic properties, additional to their antihyperglycaemic effect, improving endothelial function and markers of atherogenesis, with the potential to reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, as supported by the recently published results of the PROACTIVE study. The results of further long‐term cardiovascular outcome studies with these newer agents are awaited.
Liquidity Effects in Non‐Ricardian Economies
Authors: Bénassy Jean‐Pascal
Published: May 2006

It has often been found difficult to generate a liquidity effect (i.e., a negative effect of monetary injections on the nominal interest rate) in the traditional “Ricardian” stochastic dynamic model with a single infinitely lived household. We show that moving to a non‐Ricardian environment where new agents enter the economy in each period allows such a liquidity effect to be generated.
The Tax‐smoothing Hypothesis: Evidence from Sweden, 1952–1999
Authors: Adler Johan
Published: May 2006

This paper tests Barro's (1979) tax‐smoothing hypothesis using Swedish central government data for the period 1952–1999. According to the tax‐smoothing hypothesis, the government sets the budget surplus equal to expected changes in government expenditure. When expenditure is expected to increase, the government runs a budget surplus, and when expenditure is expected to fall, the government runs a budget deficit. The empirical evidence suggests that the model provides a useful benchmark and that tax‐smoothing behavior can explain about 60 percent of the variability in the Swedish central government budget surplus.
Efficacy of Metronidazole as Second‐Line Drug for the Treatment of Helicobacter pylori Infection in the Japanese Population: A Multicenter Study in the Tokyo Metropolitan Area
Authors: Matsuhisa Takeshi , Kawai Takashi , Masaoka Tatsuhiro , Suzuki Hidekazu , Ito Masayoshi , Kawamura Yo , Tokunaga Kengo , Suzuki Masayuki , Mine Tetsuya , Takahashi Shin‐ichi , Sakaki Nobuhiro
Published: May 2006

Background:  With the increase in the frequency of clarithromycin‐resistant Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), there is rising concern about the decline of the eradication rate of this infection following treatment. The Tokyo Hp Study Group examined the eradication rate in response to a second‐line regimen consisting of proton pump inhibitor (PPI), amoxicillin, and metronidazole by conducting a multicenter study in the Tokyo Metropolitan Area.

Materials and Methods:  Two hundred and twenty‐eight patients with H. pylori infection, in whom the first‐line therapy with a PPI, amoxicillin, and clarithromycin administered for 1 week had failed to eradicate the infection, were enrolled in this study. These cases were randomly assigned to one of the two second‐line regimens containing metronidazole (PPI/AM500 or PPI/AM750) administered for 1 week. 13C‐urea breath test was performed as a diagnostic method test for H. pylori infection not earlier than 8 weeks after the second‐line therapy.

Results:  Intention‐to‐treat (ITT) and per‐protocol (PP) analyses revealed an eradication rate of 87.6 and 90.6%, respectively, following PPI/AM500 treatment, and 86.9 and 88.6%, respectively, following PPI/AM750 treatment. Neither analysis revealed any significant difference in the eradication rate between PPI/AM500 and PPI/AM750 (p = .876 and .621, respectively). According to ITT and PP analyses, the eradication rates following treatment with PPI/AM500 were 85.2 and 88.5% with the use of lansoprazole, 62.5 and 62.5% with the use of omeprazole, and 93.2 and 96.5% with the use of rabeprazole, respectively. There was a significant difference in the eradication rates between PPI (omeprazole)/AM500 and PPI (rabeprazole)/AM500. In the case of PPI/AM750, the corresponding eradication rates were 84.8 and 87.0% with the use of lansoprazole, 92.9 and 92.9% with the use of omeprazole, and 92.9 and 92.9% with the use of rabeprazole, respectively. There were no significant differences in the eradication rates obtained with the use of the three PPIs.

Conclusions:  Both PPI/AM500 and PPI/AM750 administered for 1 week appeared to be highly effective second‐line regimens for the treatment of H. pylori infection in Japanese patients. From the viewpoint of adverse events, PPI/AM500 appeared to be safe compared with PPI/AM750.
Asymptomatic Helicobacter pylori Infection and Iron Deficiency are Not Associated With Decreased Growth Among Alaska Native Children Aged 7–11 Years
Authors: Chimonas Marc‐Andre R. , Baggett Henry C. , Parkinson Alan J. , Muth Pam T. , Dunaway Eitel , Gessner Bradford D.
Published: May 2006

Introduction:  Alaska Native children have high Helicobacter pylori infection and iron deficiency prevalences, and their average height‐for‐age is lower than US reference populations. During a clinical trial to determine the impact of H. pylori treatment on iron deficiency, we evaluated the effects of H. pylori infection and treatment on growth.

Materials and Methods:  We measured height and weight for children aged 7–11 years in western Alaska using village‐based measuring devices. H. pylori infection was determined by urea breath test and iron deficiency using serum ferritin. Children with H. pylori infection and iron deficiency entered the treatment phase and received iron alone or iron plus triple therapy for H. pylori. Follow‐up evaluations occurred at 2, 8, and 14 months. We evaluated the association between baseline H. pylori infection and growth; among children in the treatment phase, we also assessed the effect of H. pylori resolution on growth.

Results:  At baseline, 566 (87.1%) of 650 children were infected with H. pylori. Neither height and weight, nor body mass index differed by H. pylori infection status. Of 189 children in the treatment phase, 20 (10.6%) were uninfected at all three follow‐up periods, and 54 (28.6%) were uninfected for one or two periods. Compared with continuously infected children, children in these two groups had little evidence of improvements in any of the measured growth outcomes.

Conclusions:  H. pylori infection is not related to growth among Alaska Native children aged 7–11 years. Growth deficiency should not be considered an indication for H. pylori therapy.
Cardiovascular Autonomic Response to Food Ingestion in Patients with Gastritis: A Comparison Between Helicobacter pylori‐Positive and ‐Negative Patients
Authors: Lugon Jocemir Ronaldo , Moreira Mauro Diniz , De Almeida José Mentor Ramos , Silva Agostinho Soares , Esberard Eliane Cathala Bordalo , Santos Kelb Bousquet , Carvalho Angela Gouvêa , Mendes Luciana Claudia , Da Nobrega Antonio Claudio Lucas
Published: May 2006

Background:  Feeding evokes a cardiovascular response associated to an increased sympathetic drive. The role of the parasympathetic component in this regard is less clear. Improvement of postprandial vasovagal complaints after Helicobacter pylori eradication in three cases led us to assess autonomic response to feeding in H. pylori‐positive patients in search for an exacerbated parasympathetic response.

Material and Methods:  Patients with mild or moderate chronic histologic gastritis were studied. Subjects with the same diagnosis but testing negative for H. pylori were used as controls. Noninvasive cardiovascular tests were applied before and after feeding.

Results:  On sympathetic tests, standing postprandial blood pressure was lower than preprandially in 5/12 H. pylori‐positive patients and in 0/9 controls, p = .045. Resting postprandial BP on handgrip test was significantly lower than preprandially only in H. pylori‐positive patients (71 ± 8 versus 76 ± 6 mmHg, p = .0068). Regarding parasympathetic tests, the 4‐s unloaded exercise revealed greater initial heart rate response to unloaded cycling after feeding than preprandially again only in H. pylori‐positive patients (1.40 ± 0.20 versus 1.33 ± 0.17, p = .0195). On tests influenced by both branches of the autonomic system, a difference was seen in the chronotropic response to handgrip. Postprandial heart rate on effort of H. pylori‐positive patients was not higher than preprandially in contrast to controls [intervals between 2 consecutive R waves on electrocardiogram (R‐R intervals) of 666 ± 39 versus 685 ± 62 ms, p = .0195], suggesting blunted sympathetic activation in the former.

Conclusion:  Supporting the observations that motivate the study, our findings indicate blunted sympathetic reactivity and exacerbated vagal response to feeding in H. pylori‐positive patients.
Pedomorphosis revisited: thyroid hormone receptors are functional in Necturus maculosus
Authors: Safi Rachid , Vlaeminck‐Guillem Virginie , Duffraisse Marilyne , Seugnet Isabelle , Plateroti Michelina , Margotat Alain , Duterque‐Coquillaud Martine , Crespi Erica J. , Denver Robert J. , Demeneix Barbara , Laudet Vincent
Published: May 2006

SUMMARY
Heterochrony, a difference in developmental timing, is a central concept in modern evolutionary biology. An example is pedomorphosis, retention of juvenile characteristics in sexually mature adults, a phenomenon largely represented in salamanders. The mudpuppy (Necturus maculosus) is an obligate pedomorphic amphibian, never undergoing metamorphosis. Thyroid hormone induces tissue transformation in metamorphosing species and this action is mediated by nuclear thyroid hormone (TH) receptors (TRs). The absence of metamorphosis in Necturus has been attributed to a resistance to TH action as treatment with exogenous TH fails to induce transformation. The failure to metamorphose could be due to the lack of TR expression in target tissues, or to a loss of TR function. Toward understanding the molecular basis for the failure of Necturus tissues to respond to TH, and the ultimate cause for the expression of the obligate pedomorphic life history, we characterized the structure, function, and expression of TR genes in Necturus. Strikingly, we found that Necturus TRα and TRβ genes encode fully functional TR proteins. These TRs bind both DNA and TH and can transactivate target genes in response to TH. Both TRα and TRβ are expressed in various tissues. TH treatment in vivo induced expression in the gill of some but not all genes known to be activated by TH in anuran larvae, caused whole organism metabolic effects, but induced no external morphological changes in adults or larvae. Thus, Necturus possesses fully functional TRs and its tissues are not generally resistant to the actions of TH. Rather, the absence of metamorphosis may be due to the loss of TH‐dependent control of key genes required for tissue transformation.
Evidence for distinct roles of the SEPALLATA gene LEAFY HULL STERILE1 in Eleusine indica and Megathyrsus maximus (Poaceae)
Authors: Reinheimer Renata , Malcomber Simon T. , Kellogg Elizabeth A.
Published: May 2006

SUMMARY. LEAFY HULL STERILE1 (LHS1) is an MIKC‐type MADS‐box gene in the SEPALLATA class. Expression patterns of LHS1 homologs vary among species of grasses, and may be involved in determining palea and lemma morphology, specifying the terminal floret of the spikelet, and sex determination. Here we present LHS1 expression data from Eleusine indica (subfamily Chloridoideae) and Megathyrsus maximus (subfamily Panicoideae) to provide further insights into the hypothesized roles of the gene. E. indica has spikelets with three to eight florets that mature acropetally; E. indica LHS1 (EiLHS1) is expressed in the palea and lemma of all florets. In contrast, M. maximus has spikelets with two florets that mature basipetally; M. maximus LHS1 (MmLHS1) is expressed in the palea and lemma of the distal floret only. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that LHS1 plays a role in determining palea and lemma morphology and specifies the terminal floret of basipetally maturing grass spikelets. However, LHS1 expression does not correlate with floret sex expression; MmLHS1 is restricted to the bisexual distal floret, whereas EiLHS1 is expressed in both sterile and bisexual floret meristems. Phylogenetic analyses reconstruct a complex pattern of LHS1 expression evolution in grasses. LHS1 expression within the gynoecium has apparently been lost twice, once before diversification of a major clade within tribe Paniceae, and once in subfamily Chloridoideae. These data suggest that LHS1 has multiple roles during spikelet development and may have played a role in the diversification of spikelet morphology.
Is Language Lateralization in Temporal Lobe Epilepsy Patients Related to the Nature of the Epileptogenic Lesion?
Authors: Briellmann Regula S. , Labate Angelo , Harvey A. Simon , Saling Michael M. , Sveller Christina , Lillywhite Leasha , Abbott David F. , Jackson Graeme D.
Published: May 2006

Summary:  Purpose: Early acquired lesions are considered to be a risk factor for atypical language lateralization in epilepsy, whereas developmental lesions are not. Hippocampal sclerosis (HS) can be understood as an early, acquired lesion, whereas developmental tumors (DT) are thought to originate in utero. We assessed whether language lateralization differs between these groups of temporal lobe epilepsy patients.

Methods: We used 3‐Tesla functional MRI (fMRI) to assess 41 patients (16 DT, 25 HS) and 50 controls, performing a noun–verb‐generation task. fMRI data were processed by using SPM2. A laterality index (LI) was calculated based on the number of activated voxels in left‐ and right‐sided frontal lobe language areas. Atypical lateralization was considered if the index was ≤0.2.

Results: Patients had a lower LI (0.42 ± 0.5) than controls (0.6 ± 0.3; p ≤ 0.05), but the LI was not different between DT (0.44 ± 0.5) and HS patients (0.43 ± 0.4; p = 0.9). The frequency of atypical lateralization was increased in patients (27%) compared with controls (8%) but was similar in both patient groups (DT, 31%; HS, 24%). HS patients had an earlier onset and longer duration of epilepsy and a higher frequency of significant antecedent events (p ≤ 0.05).

Conclusions: Patients with TLE demonstrate a deviation toward atypical language lateralization. However, language lateralization was not different between patients with presumably acquired lesions compared with patients with developmental pathology. This suggests that the nature of the temporal lobe lesion does not influence overall language lateralization.
Left‐sided Interictal Epileptic Activity Induces Shift of Language Lateralization in Temporal Lobe Epilepsy: An fMRI Study
Authors: Janszky Jozsef , Mertens Markus , Janszky Imre , Ebner Alois , Woermann Friedrich G.
Published: May 2006

Summary:  Purpose: By using speech‐activated functional MRI (fMRI), we investigated whether the frequency of left‐sided interictal epileptic activity (IED: spikes or sharp waves on the EEG) is associated with atypical speech lateralization.

Methods: We investigated 28 patients (13 men, aged 17–59 years) with left‐sided mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) and 11 patients with right‐sided MTLE as a control population. Only patients with unilateral hippocampal sclerosis with unilateral IED were included. For fMRI of individual patients, we contrasted images sampled during covert word generation with a low‐level rest condition. With SPM99, an individual comparison for the contrast “word generation versus resting inactivity” was conducted. To characterize speech lateralization in individual patients, we calculated asymmetry indexes (AIs): the difference between activated left‐sided and right‐sided voxels was divided by all activated voxels. Analyzing long‐term EEG, the first 2 min of each hour were evaluated for the frequency of IED. Univariate associations with AIs were assessed by Pearson's correlation and by t test. When testing the independent associations, multivariate linear regression was performed.

Results: The AIs in patients with left‐sided MTLE were 0.40 ± 0.53 on average (range, −0.83 to +1.0), whereas in right‐sided MTLE, they were 0.78 ± 0.15 (p = 0.029). For the further investigations, we included left‐sided MTLE patients only. The median frequency of IED was six per hour (range, 0–240). Higher IED frequency was correlated with left‐right shift of lateralization of speech fMRI activity (p = 0.002).

Conclusions: Higher left‐sided spike frequency in MTLE was associated with a left–right shift of speech representation, suggesting that chronic frequent interictal activity may induce a reorganization of speech lateralization.
Fear Conditioning Is Impaired in Systemic Kainic Acid and Amygdala‐stimulation Models of Epilepsy
Authors: Kemppainen E. J. Samuli , Nissinen Jari , Pitkänen Asla
Published: May 2006

Summary:  Purpose: The lateral nucleus of the amygdala is critical for fear conditioning, a paradigm of emotional learning, which requires recognition of an unconditioned stimulus as aversive and association of conditioned stimuli with an unconditioned stimulus. Some patients with temporal lobe epilepsy have amygdaloid damage associated with impaired emotional learning. Fear conditioning also is impaired at least in some animal models of epilepsy. We studied whether contextual or tone‐cued fear conditioning is impaired in two status epilepticus models of epilepsy and whether impairment correlates with the extent of damage in the lateral nucleus of the amygdala.

 Methods: We induced epilepsy in rats by either systemic kainic acid administration or electrical amygdala stimulation. Behavioral reactions in all phases of fear conditioning were analyzed from videotapes. Damage to the lateral nucleus of the amygdala was analyzed from thionin‐stained sections both histologically and by volumetry.

 Results: Immediate reflexive responses to unconditioned and conditioned stimuli were preserved, whereas the freezing response to an unconditioned stimulus was reduced. Contextual conditioning was severely impaired, whereas tone‐cued conditioning was better preserved. The lateral nucleus pathology did not correlate with impaired fear conditioning.

 Conclusions: These data suggest that processing of complex contextual stimuli is severely affected in experimental epilepsy, whereas conditioning to simple cues is better preserved.
A Novel Splicing Mutation in KCNQ2 in a Multigenerational Family with BFNC Followed for 25 Years
Authors: De Haan Gerrit‐Jan , Pinto Dalila , Carton Dietbrandt , Bader Adri , Witte Jorien , Peters Edith , Van Erp Gerard , Vandereyken Willem , Boezeman Eduard , Wapenaar Martin C. , Boon Paul , Halley Dicky , Koeleman Bobby P. C. , Lindhout Dick
Published: May 2006

Summary:  Purpose: A large multigenerational family with benign familial neonatal convulsions (BFNC) was revisited to identify the disease‐causing mutation and to assess long‐term outcome.

 Methods: We supplemented the original data with recent clinical and neurophysiologic data on patients and first‐degree relatives, including information on seizure recurrence. We conducted linkage analysis at the EBN1 and EBN2 loci, followed by mutation analysis of KCNQ2. We evaluated the qualitative effect of the KCNQ2 mutation at the messenger RNA (mRNA) level by using reverse‐transcribed total RNA isolated from leukocytes.

 Results: Thirteen relatives had a history of neonatal convulsions, 11 of whom showed remission within 2 months. One patient showed an atypical course of neonatal convulsions, developing photosensitive myoclonic epilepsy at age 13 years. We found suggestive linkage of the BFNC phenotype to the 20q13‐EBN1 locus (lod score, 2.03) and an intronic mutation IVS14‐6 C>A in KCNQ2 segregating with the trait in all affected members, but absent in 100 unrelated control subjects. This mutation creates a new, preferentially used, splice site. Alternative splicing adds 4 nt containing a premature stop codon to the transcript, resulting in a truncated protein after position R588.

 Conclusions: We detected and characterized a novel splicing mutation in the brain‐specific KCNQ2 gene by using easily accessible blood leukocytes. Aberrant splicing cosegregates with BFNC but not with photosensitivity.
Freeze‐dried rehydrated human blood platelets regulate intracellular pH
Authors: Tang Minke , Wolkers Willem F. , Crowe John H. , Tablin Fern
Published: May 2006

BACKGROUND:  Long‐term storage of platelets (PLTs) in the dry state would greatly improve options for PLT storage. Whether trehalose‐loaded freeze‐dried and rehydrated PLTs could regulate intracellular pH (pHi) was evaluated.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS:  Previously it was shown that human PLTs can be successfully preserved by freeze‐drying with trehalose. Trehalose‐loaded freeze‐dried rehydrated PLTs and fresh control PLTs were labeled with the pH dye BCECF‐AM. pHi was measured in resting cells, cells acidified with nigericin, and cells treated with thrombin. The sodium‐proton pump was blocked by treatment with 5‐(N‐methyl‐N‐isobutyl)amiloride (MIA).

RESULTS:  The pHi of rehydrated PLTs is the same as that of fresh control PLTs, 7.27 ± 0.03 (SD; n = 5) and 7.27 ± 0.02 (n = 5), respectively. Nigericin treatment of cells showed that the recovery in pHi was Na+‐dependent and followed Michaelis‐Menten kinetics. The Vmax values (ΔpH/9 sec) were 0.21 ± 0.039 (n = 3) and 0.22 ± 0.025 (n = 3) for rehydrated and control PLTs, respectively. The exchange constants were 17.7 ± 2.3 mmol per L (n = 3) and 17.0 ± 1.9 mmol per L (n = 3) for rehydrated and control PLTs, respectively. Treatment of cells with MIA showed that NHE1 remained sensitive to the inhibitor after freeze‐drying and rehydration.

CONCLUSION:  The results show that the pHi regulation system is largely preserved during freeze‐drying and rehydration of PLTs.
The additional value of real‐time PCR in the quantitative detection of periodontal pathogens
Authors: Boutaga Khalil , Van Winkelhoff Arie Jan , Vandenbroucke‐Grauls Christina M. J. E. , Savelkoul Paul H. M.
Published: May 2006

Background and Aim: For the analysis of subgingival plaque, anaerobic bacterial culture has been the gold standard for many years. Currently, molecular microbial techniques have become available to identify and quantify target organisms with high specificity and sensitivity. The technique of real‐time polymerase chain reaction(RT‐PCR) provides a new tool to detect oral pathogens both in oral and non‐oral human infections. The aim of this study was to compare the RT‐PCR and anaerobic culture for detection and quantification of six periodontal pathogens in periodontal health and disease.

Material and Methods: Subgingival plaque samples from 259 adult patients with periodontitis and 111 healthy controls were analysed with quantitative anaerobic culture and quantitative RT‐PCR for Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, Tannerella forsythia, Micromonas micros and Fusobacterium spp.

Results: All species were more frequently isolated from patients than controls with both culture and RT‐PCR. P. gingivalis, T. forsythia and M. micros appeared significant markers for disease with both techniques. P. intermedia was significantly associated with periodontitis by RT‐PCR only (OR 9.7), whereas A. actinomycetemcomitans showed a significant relationship by culture only. The critical differences between culture and RT‐PCR were culture‐negative/PCR‐positive samples which amounted to 7% for A. actinomycetemcomitans, 3% for P. gingivalis, 7% for T. forsythia, 20% for P. intermedia, 6% for M. micros, and 0.8% for Fusobacterium spp. in periodontitis patients and 12%, 3%, 2%, 35%, 14% and 0%, respectively, in the periodontally healthy group. Furthermore, periodontitis individuals had significantly higher amount of all of the test species in the subgingival plaque samples compared with healthy subjects.

Conclusion: RT‐PCR provides a new rapid diagnostic tool and opens the opportunity to detect small numbers of oral pathogens in clinical specimens, which are under the detection limit by culture technique.
Novel β‐1,3‐, 1,6‐oligoglucan elicitor from Alternaria alternata 102 for defense responses in tobacco
Authors: Shinya Tomonori , Ménard Rozenn , Kozone Ikuko , Matsuoka Hideaki , Shibuya Naoto , Kauffmann Serge , Matsuoka Ken , Saito Mikako
Published: May 2006

A novel elicitor that induces chitinases in tobacco BY‐2 cells was isolated from Alternaria alternata 102. Six other fungi, including A. alternata IFO 6587, could not induce, or weakly induce chitinase activity. The purified elicitor was soluble in 75% methanol and showed the chitinase‐inducing activity when applied at concentrations of as low as 25 ng·mL−1. Structural determination by methylation analysis, reducing‐end analysis, MALDI‐TOF/MS, and NMR spectroscopy indicated that the elicitor was a mixture of β‐1,3‐, 1,6‐oligoglucans mostly with a degree of polymerization of between 8 and 17. Periodate oxidation of the elicitor suggested that the 1,6‐linked and nonreducing terminal residues are essential for the elicitor activity. Further analysis of the elicitor responses in BY‐2 cells indicated that the activity of this β‐1,3‐, 1,6‐glucan elicitor was about 1000 times more potent than that of laminarin, which is a known elicitor of defense responses in tobacco. Analyzing the expression of defense‐related genes indicated that a phenylalanine ammonia‐lyase gene and a coumaroyl‐CoA O‐methyltransferase gene were transiently expressed by this β‐1,3‐, 1,6‐glucan elicitor. The elicitor induced a weak oxidative burst but did not induce cell death in the BY‐2 cells. In the tissue of tobacco plants, this β‐1,3‐, 1,6‐glucan elicitor induced the expression of basic PR‐3 genes, the phenylpropanoid pathway genes, and the sesquiterpenoid pathway genes. In comparison with laminarin and laminarin sulfate, which are reported to be potent elicitors of defense responses in tobacco, the expression pattern of genes induced by the purified β‐1,3‐, 1,6‐glucan elicitor was more similar to that induced by laminarin than to that induced by laminarin sulfate.
The EU Budget and the CAP: An Agenda for the Review?
Authors: Harvey David
Published: May 2006

The promised review of the EU Budget in 2008 offers an opportunity to bring CAP financing into line with logic, justice and the rest of EU policy. Currently, the CAP is unique amongst European policies in being both mandatory and requiring 100 per cent financing by the EU budget. While this made good sense at the policy's inception, it is now an obsolete anachronism. A sensible and defensible agenda for financial reform, which is all that is on the reform agenda at present, is to make the EU budget responsible for only a fraction (say 25 per cent) of the costs of the current CAP, instead of the present 100 per cent. This would bring CAP financing into line with other EU policies, and make member states separately responsible for the balance for their own farmers, as they so wish, up to the CAP budgetary ceiling already agreed. Any resulting competition between member states in the extent and means by which they continue (or not) to support farmers through direct payments would be controlled through EU Competition and single market policies. Such competition would also provide a good opportunity for experiments with policy development, to the advantage of all, since different policies are required for the different stages of development and different local conditions now evident within the EU.
Rapid, Sensitive, and Specific Lateral-Flow Immunochromatographic Device To Measure Anti-Anthrax Protective Antigen Immunoglobulin G in Serum and Whole Blood
Authors: Biagini Raymond E. , Sammons Deborah L. , Smith Jerome P. , MacKenzie Barbara A. , Striley Cynthia A. F. , Snawder John E. , Robertson Shirley A. , Quinn Conrad P.
Published: May 2006

Evidence from animals suggests that anti-anthrax protective antigen (PA) immunoglobulin G (IgG) from vaccination with anthrax vaccine adsorbed (AVA) is protective against
Bacillus anthracis
infection. Measurement of anti-PA IgG in human sera can be performed using either enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay or fluorescent covalent microsphere immunoassay (ELISA) (R. E. Biagini, D. L. Sammons, J. P. Smith, B. A. MacKenzie, C. A. Striley, V. Semenova, E. Steward-Clark, K. Stamey, A. E. Freeman, C. P. Quinn, and J. E. Snawder, Clin. Diagn. Lab. Immunol. 11:50-55, 2004). Both these methods are laboratory based. We describe the development of a rapid lateral-flow immunochromatographic assay (LFIA) test kit for the measurement of anti-PA IgG in serum or whole-blood samples (30-μl samples) using colloidal gold nanoparticles as the detection reagent and an internal control. Using sera from 19 anthrax AVA vaccinees (anti-PA IgG range, 2.4 to 340 μg/ml) and 10 controls and PA-supplemented whole-blood samples, we demonstrated that the LFIA had a sensitivity of approximately 3 μg/ml anti-PA IgG in serum and ∼14 μg/ml anti-PA IgG in whole blood. Preabsorption of sera with PA yielded negative anti-PA LFIAs. The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of the assay were 100% using ELISA-measured anti-PA IgG as the standard. This kit has utility in determining anti-PA antibody reactivity in the sera of individuals vaccinated with AVA or individuals with clinical anthrax.
Vibrational spectra of η5-cyclopentadienyldicarbonyl(thiocarbonyl)-manganese(I) and η5-cyclopentadienylcarbonyl(dithiocarbonyl)-manganese(I)
Authors: Barna G. G. , Butler I. S. , Plowman K. R.
Published: May 2006

The ir and laser Raman spectra of η5-C5H5Mn(CO)2(CS) and η5-C5H5Mn(CO)(CS)2 have been investigated. In the case of the monothiocarbonyl complex, vapor phase, solution, and solid-state measurements were made, while for the dithiocarbonyl, only solid-state data were obtained. The vibrational spectra of both complexes have been assigned satisfactorily in terms of the C5v and Cs local symmetries of the η5-C5H5—Mn and Mn(CO)2(CS) (or Mn(CO)(CS)2) moieties, respectively. The effect of change of state on the spectra of the monothiocarbonyl complex is discussed.
Carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of organic sulfur compounds. Comparison of chemical shifts for carbonyl and thiocarbonyl compounds in the pyrone, thiopyrone, and pyridone series
Authors: Still I. W. J. , Plavac N. , McKinnon D. M. , Chauhan M. S.
Published: May 2006

13C nmr data have been obtained for a series of 2- and 4-pyrones and pyridones, and their sulfur-containing analogues. Correlations have been observed between the nature of the ring hetero-atom and the chemical shift difference (Δδ) for the Cα and Cβ carbons in these conjugated systems. No significant correlation, however, appears to exist between the chemical shifts of the C=O and C=S groups. Substituent chemical shift (s.c.s.) effects for various simple substituents are compared with those in related series of compounds.
Synthesis, physical properties, and crystal and molecular structure of a binuclear copper(II) complex incorporating 3-methylpyrazolylgallate ligands
Authors: Baker Ralph T. , Rettig Steven J. , Storr Alan , Trotter James
Published: May 2006

Crystals of [Me3Ga2(N2C4H5)3CuO]2 are monoclinic, a = 10.766(1), b = 14.419(2), c = 15.174(1) Å, β = 115.923(6)°, Z = 2, space group P21/c. The structure was solved by Patterson and Fourier syntheses and was refined by full-matrix least-squares procedures to a final R of 0.047 and Rw of 0.060 for 3042 reflections with I ≥ 3σ(I). Details of the preparation and physical properties of the compound are given. The centrosymmetric binuclear complex features copper atoms having distorted square-pyramidal geometry, bonded to four nitrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. Bond distances in the molecule are: Cu—O, 1.923(3), Cu—N, 1.964(4)–2.874(4), Ga—O, 1.825(4) and 1.881(3), Ga—N, 1.952(4)–1.978(5), Ga—C, 1.950(7)–1.979(8), N—N, 1.358(6)–1.385(6), N—C, 1.326(7)–1.352(6), C—C(pyrazolyl), 1.342(9)–1.386(8), C—CH3, 1.487(9)–1.500(10), and C—H, 0.81(10)–1.06(12) Å.