bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A geographical pattern of Antirrhinum (Scrophulariaceae) speciation since the Pliocene based on plastid and nuclear DNA polymorphisms
Authors: Vargas Pablo , Carrió Elena , Guzmán Beatriz , Amat Elena , Güemes Jaime
Published: February 2009

Aim  To infer phylogenetic relationships among Antirrhinum species and to reconstruct the historical distribution of observed sequence polymorphism through estimates of haplotype clades and lineage divergence.

Location  Antirrhinum is distributed primarily throughout the western Mediterranean, with 22 of 25 species in the Iberian Peninsula.

Methods  Plastid (83 trnS‐trnG and 83 trnK‐matK) and nuclear (87 ITS) sequences were obtained from 96 individuals representing 24 of the 25 Antirrhinum species. Sequences were analysed using maximum parsimony, Bayesian inference and statistical parsimony networking. Molecular clock estimates were obtained for plastid trnK‐matK sequences using the penalized likelihood approach.

Results  Phylogenetic results gave limited support for monophyletic groups within Antirrhinum. Fifty‐one plastid haplotypes were detected and 27 missing haplotypes inferred, which were all connected in a single, star‐like network. A significant number of species shared both the same haplotypes and the same geographical areas, primarily in eastern Iberia. Furthermore, many species harboured populations with unrelated haplotypes from divergent haplotype clades. Plastid haplotype distribution, together with nucleotide additivity in 59 of the 86 nuclear ribosomal ITS sequences, is interpreted as evidence of extensive hybridization. Lineage divergence estimates indicated that differentiation within Antirrhinum post‐dates the Miocene, when the Mediterranean climate was established.

Main conclusions  Incongruence between plastid sequences, nuclear sequences and taxonomic delimitation is interpreted as strong evidence of limited cladogenetic processes in Antirrhinum. Rather, extensive nucleotide additivities in ITS sequences in conjunction with haplotype and haplotype‐clade distributions related to geographical areas support both recent and ancient hybridization. This geographical pattern of Antirrhinum speciation, particularly in eastern Iberia, is congruent with isolation–contact–isolation processes in the Pleistocene.
Hepatitis C virus quasispecies in plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells of treatment naïve chronically infected patients
Authors: Vera‐Otarola J. , Barría M. I. , León U. , Marsac D. , Carvallo P. , Soza A. , López‐Lastra M.
Published: February 2009

Summary.  Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 45 treatment naïve, HIV‐negative, chronically hepatitis C virus (HCV)‐infected patients were analyzed for the presence of HCV RNA. Viral RNA was detected in 73% of the studied patients. Single‐strand conformation polymorphism assays and sequence analysis of the HCV 5′untranslated regions amplified from RNA recovered from both Plasma and PBMCs suggested virus compartmentalization in 57.6% of patients studied. In summary, our study presents evidence that HCV RNA can be found in PBMCs of treatment naïve chronically infected patients that are not immunocompromised or co‐infected with the human immunodeficiency virus.
Macrophages and Abnormal BCL‐6 or c‐MYC Gene Expression Affect the Resistance of Peritoneal B Cells to Induction of Hyporesponsiveness
Authors: Liou L.‐B. , Wu M.‐W. , Chao W.‐J.
Published: February 2009

Our earlier results indicate that peritoneal B cells (PEB cells) were not hyporesponsive to in vitro crosslinking of the immunoglobulin (Ig) with a secondary anti‐IgG reagent. In this study, the response of PEB cells was reduced by the same treatment given i.p. PEB cells were only sensitive to anti‐IgM hyper‐crosslinking in the presence of peritoneal macrophages. This sensitivity was partially reversed by anti‐interferon‐β antibody. Elevated BCL‐6 with c‐MYC gene expression in NZB/W F1 splenic B cells after anti‐IgM treatment correlated well with reduction of IgM secretion. On the contrary, PEB cells not sensitive to induction of hyporesponsiveness cause abnormal BCL‐6/c‐MYC gene expression after challenges. A bigger change of increased BCL‐6 gene expression after anti‐IgM treatment was seen in PEB cells than in splenic B cells. Higher BCL‐2 gene expression in NZB/W splenic B cells than those in NZB/W PEB cells do not prevent hyporesponsiveness in the former. In conclusion, the relationship between BCL‐6/c‐MYC gene expression and IgM secretion in NZB/W F1 splenic B cells is similar to that of conventional B2 cells. Although PEB cells from wild type strain can be rendered hyporesponsive in vivo in the presence of macrophages, the resistance to hyporesponsiveness of challenged autoimmune NZB/W PEB cells in vivo is probably related to abnormal BCL‐6/c‐MYC gene expression. These combined findings suggest that autoimmune B1 cells violate the accepted paradigm for expression of differentiation‐associated transcription factors in B2 cells.
Genome‐wide Gene Expression Profiling of SCID Mice with T‐cell‐mediated Colitis
Authors: Brudzewsky D. , Pedersen A. E. , Claesson M. H. , Gad M. , Kristensen N. N. , Lage K. , Jensen T. , Tommerup N. , Larsen L. A. , Knudsen S. , Tümer Z.
Published: February 2009

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a multifactorial disorder with an unknown aetiology. The aim of this study is to employ a murine model of IBD to identify pathways and genes, which may play a key role in the pathogenesis of IBD and could be important for discovery of new disease markers in human disease. Here, we have investigated severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice, which upon adoptive transfer with concanavalin A‐activated CD4+ T cells develop inflammation of the colon with predominance in rectum. Mice with increasing level of inflammation was studied. RNA from rectum of transplanted and non‐transplanted SCID mice was investigated by a genome‐wide gene expression analysis using the Affymetrix mouse expression array 430A (MOE430A) including 22,626 probe sets. A significant change in gene expression (P = 0.00001) is observed in 152 of the genes between the non‐transplanted control mice and colitis mice, and among these genes there is an overrepresentation of genes involved in inflammatory processes. Some of the most significant genes showing higher expression encode S100A proteins and chemokines involved in trafficking of leucocytes in inflammatory areas. Classification by gene clustering based on the genes with the significantly altered gene expression corresponds to two different levels of inflammation as established by the histological scoring of the inflamed rectum. These data demonstrate that this SCID T‐cell transfer model is a useful animal model for human IBD and can be used for suggesting candidate genes involved in the pathogenesis and for identifying new molecular markers of chronic inflammation in human IBD.
Particle Size Determines Activation of the Innate Immune System in the Lung
Authors: Samuelsen M. , Nygaard U. C. , Løvik M.
Published: February 2009

Our knowledge about particle size in relation to activation of the innate immune system is limited. Therefore, the acute effect of particle exposure on the innate immune system was studied in a lung model using the intracellular bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. Female Balb/cA mice were instilled intratracheally with polystyrene particles (PSP) of different diameters (0.064, 0.202, 1.053 and 4.646 μm) simultaneously with or 1 day prior to inoculation of 105 bacteria. Mice were sacrificed 1 day after Listeria challenge, and the numbers of viable bacteria in the lungs and the spleen were determined as a measure of cellular activation. In separate experiments, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid was collected. Only mice exposed to the smallest PSP (0.064 and 0.202 μm) had significantly reduced bacterial numbers in the lung after particles and Listeria were given simultaneously. When particles were given 1 day prior to Listeria challenge also the largest 4.646 μm PSP, but not the medium size 1.053 μm PSP, reduced bacterial numbers. The number of neutrophils in BAL fluid was increased for all PSP‐exposed groups after 24 h, and tended to be highest in the group exposed to 4.646 μm PSP. TNF‐α, IL‐1β and MIP‐2 were significantly increased in BAL fluid after exposure to the largest compared with the smallest PSP. In conclusion, activation of the innate immune system by chemical‐free particles was size‐dependent. Ultrafine and coarse particles appeared to activate cells by different mechanisms, which implies qualitative differences between the health effects of ambient air particulate matter size fractions.
Identification of a novel E3 ubiquitin ligase that is required for suppression of premature senescence in Arabidopsis
Authors: Raab Sabine , Drechsel Gabriele , Zarepour Maryam , Hartung Wolfram , Koshiba Tomokazu , Bittner Florian , Hoth Stefan
Published: February 2009

During leaf senescence, resources are recycled by redistribution to younger leaves and reproductive organs. Candidate pathways for the regulation of onset and progression of leaf senescence include ubiquitin‐dependent turnover of key proteins. Here, we identified a novel plant U‐box E3 ubiquitin ligase that prevents premature senescence in Arabidopsis plants, and named it SENESCENCE‐ASSOCIATED E3 UBIQUITIN LIGASE 1 (SAUL1). Using in vitro ubiquitination assays, we show that SAUL1 has E3 ubiquitin ligase activity. We isolated two alleles of saul1 mutants that show premature senescence under low light conditions. The visible yellowing of leaves is accompanied by reduced chlorophyll content, decreased photochemical efficiency of photosystem II and increased expression of senescence genes. In addition, saul1 mutants exhibit enhanced abscisic acid (ABA) biosynthesis. We show that application of ABA to Arabidopsis is sufficient to trigger leaf senescence, and that this response is abolished in the ABA‐insensitive mutants abi1‐1 and abi2‐1, but enhanced in the ABA‐hypersensitive mutant era1‐3. We found that increased ABA levels coincide with enhanced activity of Arabidopsis aldehyde oxidase 3 (AAO3) and accumulation of AAO3 protein in saul1 mutants. Using label transfer experiments, we showed that interactions between SAUL1 and AAO3 occur. This suggests that SAUL1 participates in targeting AAO3 for ubiquitin‐dependent degradation via the 26S proteasome to prevent premature senescence.
Asymmetric allele‐specific expression in relation to developmental variation and drought stress in barley hybrids
Authors: Von Korff Maria , Radovic Slobodanka , Choumane Wafaa , Stamati Konstantina , Udupa Sripada M. , Grando Stefania , Ceccarelli Salvatore , Mackay Ian , Powell Wayne , Baum Michael , Morgante Michele
Published: February 2009

In the present study, we analysed allele‐specific expression (ASE) in the selfing species barley to assess the frequency of cis‐acting regulatory variation and the effects of genetic background, developmental differences and drought stress on allelic expression levels. We measured ASE ratios in 30 genes putatively involved in stress responses in five hybrids and their reciprocals, namely Hordeum spontaneum 41‐1/Alexis (HAl), Hordeum spontaneum 41‐1/Arta (HAr), Sloop/WI3408 (SW), Tadmor/Sloop (TS) and Tadmor/WI3408 (TW). In order to detect cis‐acting variation related to drought and developmental changes, the barley hybrids were grown under control and water‐limited conditions, and leaf tissue was harvested at two developmental stages. The analysis demonstrated that more than half of the genes measured (63%) showed allelic differences in expression of up to 19‐fold due to cis‐regulatory variation in at least one cross by treatment/stage combination. Drought stress induced changes in allelic expression ratios, indicating differences between drought responsive cis‐elements. In addition, ASE differences between developmental stages suggested the presence of cis‐acting elements interacting with developmental cues. We were also able to demonstrate that the levels and frequency of allelic imbalance and hence differences in cis‐regulatory elements are correlated with the genetic divergence between the parental lines, but may also arise as an adaptation to diverse habitats. Our findings suggest that cis‐regulatory variation is a common phenomenon in barley, and may provide a molecular basis of transgression. Differential expression of near‐isogenic members of the same gene family could potentially result in hybrid lines out performing their parents in terms of expression level, timing and response to developmental and environmental cues. Identification and targeted manipulation of cis‐regulatory elements will assist in breeding improved crops with a better adaptation to changing environments.
Transient expression in Nicotiana benthamiana fluorescent marker lines provides enhanced definition of protein localization, movement and interactions in planta
Authors: Martin Kathleen , Kopperud Kristin , Chakrabarty Romit , Banerjee Rituparna , Brooks Robert , Goodin Michael M.
Published: February 2009

Here, we report on the construction of a novel series of Gateway‐compatible plant transformation vectors containing genes encoding autofluorescent proteins, including Cerulean, Dendra2, DRONPA, TagRFP and Venus, for the expression of protein fusions in plant cells. To assist users in the selection of vectors, we have determined the relative in planta photostability and brightness of nine autofluorescent proteins (AFPs), and have compared the use of DRONPA and Dendra2 in photoactivation and photoconversion experiments. Additionally, we have generated transgenic Nicotiana benthamiana lines that express fluorescent protein markers targeted to nuclei, endoplasmic reticulum or actin filaments. We show that conducting bimolecular fluorescence complementation assays in plants that constitutively express cyan fluorescent protein fused to histone 2B provides enhanced data quality and content over assays conducted without the benefit of a subcellular marker. In addition to testing protein interactions, we demonstrate that our transgenic lines that express red fluorescent protein markers offer exceptional support in experiments aimed at defining nuclear or endomembrane localization. Taken together, the new combination of pSITE‐BiFC and pSITEII vectors for studying intracellular protein interaction, localization and movement, in conjunction with our transgenic marker lines, constitute powerful tools for the plant biology community.
Rapid, combinatorial analysis of membrane compartments in intact plants with a multicolor marker set
Authors: Geldner Niko , Dénervaud‐Tendon Valérie , Hyman Derek L. , Mayer Ulrike , Stierhof York‐Dieter , Chory Joanne
Published: February 2009

Plant membrane compartments and trafficking pathways are highly complex, and are often distinct from those of animals and fungi. Progress has been made in defining trafficking in plants using transient expression systems. However, many processes require a precise understanding of plant membrane trafficking in a developmental context, and in diverse, specialized cell types. These include defense responses to pathogens, regulation of transporter accumulation in plant nutrition or polar auxin transport in development. In all of these cases a central role is played by the endosomal membrane system, which, however, is the most divergent and ill‐defined aspect of plant cell compartmentation. We have designed a new vector series, and have generated a large number of stably transformed plants expressing membrane protein fusions to spectrally distinct, fluorescent tags. We selected lines with distinct subcellular localization patterns, and stable, non‐toxic expression. We demonstrate the power of this multicolor ‘Wave’ marker set for rapid, combinatorial analysis of plant cell membrane compartments, both in live‐imaging and immunoelectron microscopy. Among other findings, our systematic co‐localization analysis revealed that a class of plant Rab1‐homologs has a much more extended localization than was previously assumed, and also localizes to trans‐Golgi/endosomal compartments. Constructs that can be transformed into any genetic background or species, as well as seeds from transgenic Arabidopsis plants, will be freely available, and will promote rapid progress in diverse areas of plant cell biology.
The ZIM domain mediates homo‐ and heteromeric interactions between Arabidopsis JAZ proteins
Authors: Chini Andrea , Fonseca Sandra , Chico Jose M. , Fernández‐Calvo Patricia , Solano Roberto
Published: February 2009

Discovery of the jasmonate ZIM‐domain (JAZ) repressors defined the core jasmonate (JA) signalling module as COI1–JAZ–MYC2, and allowed a full view of the JA signalling pathway from hormone perception to transcriptional reprogramming. JAZ proteins are repressors of MYC2 and targets of SCFCOI1, which is the likely jasmonate receptor. Upon hormone perception, JAZ repressors are degraded by the proteasome releasing MYC2 and allowing the activation of JA responses. All members of the JAZ family share two conserved domains, the Jas motif, required for JAZ interactions with MYC2 and COI1, and the ZIM domain, the function of which is so far unknown. Here, we show that the ZIM domain acts as a protein–protein interaction domain mediating homo‐ and heteromeric interactions between JAZ proteins. These JAZ–JAZ interactions are independent of the presence of the hormone. The observation that only a few members of the JAZ family form homo‐ and heteromers may suggest the relevance of these proteins in the regulation of JA signalling. Interestingly, the JAZ3ΔJas protein interacts with several JAZ proteins, providing new clues to understanding the dominant JA insensitivity promoted by truncated JAZΔJas proteins. We also provide evidence that the Jas motif mediates the hormone‐dependent interaction between Arabidopsis JAZ3 and COI1, and further confirm that the Jas motif is required and sufficient for Arabidopsis JAZ3–MYC2 interaction. Finally, we show that interaction with MYC2 is a common feature of the JAZ family, as most JAZ proteins can bind MYC2 in pull‐down and yeast two‐hybrid assays.
Distribution of Lectin‐Bindings in the Testis of the Lesser Mouse Deer, Tragulus javanicus
Authors: Agungpriyono S. , Kurohmaru M. , Kimura J. , Wahid A. H. , Sasaki M. , Kitamura N. , Yamada J. , Fukuta K. , Zuki A. B.
Published: February 2009

The distribution of lectin bindings in the testis of the smallest ruminant, lesser mouse deer (Tragulus javanicus), was studied using 12 biotinylated lectins specific for d‐galactose (peanut agglutinin PNA, Ricinus communis agglutinin RCA I), N‐acetyl‐d‐galactosamine (Dolichos biflorus agglutinin DBA, Vicia villosa agglutinin VVA, Soybean agglutinin SBA), N‐acetyl‐d‐glucosamine and sialic acid (wheat germ agglutinin WGA, s‐WGA), d‐mannose and d‐glucose (Lens culinaris agglutinin LCA, Pisum sativum agglutinin PSA, Concanavalin A Con A), l‐fucose (Ulex europaeus agglutinin UEA I), and oligosaccharide (Phaseolus vulgaris agglutinin PHA‐E) sugar residues. In Golgi‐, cap‐, and acrosome‐phase spermatids, lectin‐bindings were found in the acrosome (PNA, RCA I, VVA, SBA, WGA and s‐WGA), and in the cytoplasm (PNA, RCA I, VVA, SBA, WGA, LCA, PSA, Con A and PHA‐E). s‐WGA binding was confined to the spermatid acrosome, but other lectins were also observed in spermatocytes. In spermatogonia, VVA, WGA, Con A, and PHA‐E bindings were observed. Sertoli cells were intensely stained with DBA and Con A, and weakly with PHA‐E. In interstitial Leydig cells, RCA I, DBA, VVA, Con A, PSA, LCA, WGA and PHA‐E were positive. UEA I was negative in all cell types including spermatogenic cells. Unusual distribution of lectin‐bindings noted in the testis of lesser mouse deer included the limited distribution of s‐WGA only in the spermatid acrosome, the distribution of DBA in Sertoli cells, Leydig cells and lamina propria, and the absence of UEA I in all type cells. The present results were discussed in comparison with those of other animals and their possible functional implications.
Corporate Governance and the Prediction of the Impact of AIFRS Adoption
Authors: GOODWIN JOHN , AHMED KAMRAN , HEANEY RICHARD
Published: February 2009

This study examines whether a firm's corporate governance system, particularly with respect to the characteristics of the board of directors and senior management, affects how accurately the impact of accounting changes is reported to shareholders. We concentrate on the relation between corporate governance measures and accounting forecast errors that arise with adoption of the International Financial Reporting Standards by listed Australian firms. Evidence reveals that corporate governance mechanisms are associated with the likelihood and magnitude of managerial forecast errors.
A temporal discriminability account of children's eyewitness suggestibility
Authors: Bright‐Paul Alexandra , Jarrold Christopher
Published: February 2009

Children's suggestibility is typically measured using a three‐stage ‘event–misinformation–test’ procedure. We examined whether suggestibility is influenced by the time delays imposed between these stages, and in particular whether the temporal discriminability of sources (event and misinformation) predicts performance. In a novel approach, the degree of source discriminability was calculated as therelativemagnitude of two intervals (theratioof event–misinformation and misinformation–test intervals), based on an adaptation of existing ‘ratio‐rule’ accounts of memory. Five‐year‐olds (n =150) watched an event, and were exposed to misinformation, before memory for source was tested. The absolute event–test delay (12 versus 24 days) and the ‘ratio’ of event–misinformation/misinformation–test intervals (11:1, 3:1, 1:1, 1:3 and 1:11) were manipulated across participants. The temporal discriminability of sources, measured by the ratio, was indeed a strong predictor of suggestibility. Most importantly, if the ratio was constant (e.g. 18/6 versus 9/3 days), performance was remarkably similar despite variations in absolute delay (e.g. 24 versus 12 days). This intriguing finding not only extends the ratio‐rule of distinctiveness to misinformation paradigms, but also serves to illustrate a new empirical means of differentiating between explanations of suggestibility based on interference between sources and disintegration of source information over time.
Domestic dogs comprehend human communication with iconic signs
Authors: Kaminski Juliane , Tempelmann Sebastian , Call Josep , Tomasello Michael
Published: February 2009

A key skill in early human development is the ability to comprehend communicative intentions as expressed in both nonlinguistic gestures and language. In the current studies, we confronted domestic dogs (some of whom knew many human ‘words’) with a task in which they had to infer the intended referent of a human's communicative act via iconic signs – specifically, replicas and photographs. Both trained and untrained dogs successfully used iconic replicas to fetch the desired item, with many doing so from the first trial. Dogs’ ability to use photographs in this same situation was less consistent. Because simple matching to sample in experimental contexts typically takes hundreds of trials (and because similarity between iconic sign and target item did not predict success), we propose that dogs’ skillful performance in the current task reflects important aspects of the comprehension of human communicative intentions.
Differential effects of social and non‐social reward on response inhibition in children and adolescents
Authors: Kohls Gregor , Peltzer Judith , Herpertz‐Dahlmann Beate , Konrad Kerstin
Published: February 2009

An important issue in the field of clinical and developmental psychopathology is whether cognitive control processes, such as response inhibition, can be specifically enhanced by motivation. To determine whether non‐social (i.e. monetary) and social (i.e. positive facial expressions) rewards are able to differentially improve response inhibition accuracy in typically developing children and adolescents, an ‘incentive’ go/no‐go task was applied with reward contingencies for successful inhibition. In addition, the impact of children's personality traits (such as reward seeking and empathy) on monetary and social reward responsiveness was assessed in 65 boys, ages 8 to 12 years. All subjects were tested twice: At baseline, inhibitory control was assessed without reward, and then subjects were pseudorandomly assigned to one of four experimental conditions, including (1) social reward only, (2) monetary reward only, (3) mixed social and monetary reward, or (4) a retest condition without reward. Both social and non‐social reward significantly improved task performance, although larger effects were observed for monetary reward. The higher the children scored on reward seeking scales, the larger was their improvement in response inhibition, but only if monetary reward was used. In addition, there was a tendency for an association between empathic skills and benefits from social reward. These data suggest that social incentives do not have an equally strong reinforcing value as compared to financial incentives. However, different personality traits seem to determine to what extent a child profits from different types of reward. Clinical implications regarding probable hyposensitivity to social reward in subjects with autism and dysregulated reward‐seeking behaviour in children with attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are discussed.
Speech‐perception‐in‐noise deficits in dyslexia
Authors: Ziegler Johannes C. , Pech‐Georgel Catherine , George Florence , Lorenzi Christian
Published: February 2009

Speech perception deficits in developmental dyslexia were investigated in quiet and various noise conditions. Dyslexics exhibited clear speech perception deficits in noise but not in silence. Place‐of‐articulation was more affected than voicing or manner‐of‐articulation. Speech‐perception‐in‐noise deficits persisted when performance of dyslexics was compared to that of much younger children matched on reading age, underscoring the fundamental nature of speech‐perception‐in‐noise deficits. The deficits were not due to poor spectral or temporal resolution because dyslexics exhibited normal ‘masking release’ effects (i.e. better performance in fluctuating than in stationary noise). Moreover, speech‐perception‐in‐noise predicted significant unique variance in reading even after controlling for low‐level auditory, attentional, speech output, short‐term memory and phonological awareness processes. Finally, the presence of external noise did not seem to be a necessary condition for speech perception deficits to occur because similar deficits were obtained when speech was degraded by eliminating temporal fine‐structure cues without using external noise. In conclusion, the core deficit of dyslexics seems to be a lack of speech robustness in the presence of external or internal noise.
Impact of drought‐related vaccination on livestock mortality in pastoralist areas of Ethiopia
Authors: Catley Andy , Abebe Dawit , Admassu Berhanu , Bekele Gezu , Abera Bayou , Eshete Gezahegn , Rufael Tesfaye , Haile Tesfaye
Published: February 2009

Under a national Livestock Policy Forum in Ethiopia the impact of livestock vaccination during drought was assessed in order to inform the development of a best‐practice guideline. For each of the different types of vaccine used during drought years there was no significant difference in livestock mortality, for any species, in vaccinated compared with non‐vaccinated herds. The limited impact of vaccination on livestock mortality was attributed to weaknesses in the design and implementation of vaccination programmes, including use of inappropriate vaccines, low vaccination coverage, problems with vaccine dosing, incorrect timing of vaccination and problems with vaccine storage. If these weaknesses could be overcome vaccination could be a useful means to protect livestock assets, with considerable benefit‐cost ratios. Vaccination should be conducted as a standard preventive measure during normal years, and programme design should be informed by participatory epidemiological studies.
Can Voluntary Workplace Partnership Deliver Sustainable Mutual Gains?
Authors: Dobbins Anthony , Gunnigle Patrick
Published: February 2009

This article draws on two Irish case studies to examine the nature and outcomes of voluntary workplace partnership (WP), and the conditions affecting its durability. We found that WP delivered mutual gains for all stakeholders at Aughinish Alumina (AAL), which were quite equally divided. While WP delivered most gains for management at Waterford Crystal (WC), and some for the union, worker gains were less. The WC partnership broke down after 10 years, but the AAL partnership continues. Voluntarist mutual gains partnership is feasible, but success and durability depends on specific clusters of contextual conditions, notably management support, a quality‐focused competitive strategy, insulation from market pressures, union postures, vertically aligned bundles of mutual gains practices, institutional supports, emphasis on fairness, all party commitment to performance enhancement and capital‐intensive technology. Conditions supporting WP were stronger at AAL than WC. More generally, as supports for WP in Ireland are weaker than retardants, we conclude that few mutual gains partnerships will take root, and even fewer will endure.
Neural Markers of Religious Conviction
Authors: Inzlicht Michael , McGregor Ian , Hirsh Jacob B. , Nash Kyle
Published: February 2009

Many people derive peace of mind and purpose in life from their belief in God. For others, however, religion provides unsatisfying answers. Are there brain differences between believers and nonbelievers? Here we show that religious conviction is marked by reduced reactivity in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), a cortical system that is involved in the experience of anxiety and is important for self-regulation. In two studies, we recorded electroencephalographic neural reactivity in the ACC as participants completed a Stroop task. Results showed that stronger religious zeal and greater belief in God were associated with less firing of the ACC in response to error and with commission of fewer errors. These correlations remained strong even after we controlled for personality and cognitive ability. These results suggest that religious conviction provides a framework for understanding and acting within one's environment, thereby acting as a buffer against anxiety and minimizing the experience of error.
Illusory Control
Authors: Fast Nathanael J. , Gruenfeld Deborah H , Sivanathan Niro , Galinsky Adam D.
Published: February 2009

Three experiments demonstrated that the experience of power leads to an illusion of personal control. Regardless of whether power was experientially primed ( Experiments 1 and 3 ) or manipulated through roles (manager vs. subordinate; Experiment 2 ), it led to perceived control over outcomes that were beyond the reach of the power holder. Furthermore, this illusory control mediated the influence of power on several self-enhancement and approach-related outcomes reported in the power literature, including optimism ( Experiment 2 ), self-esteem ( Experiment 3 ), and action orientation ( Experiment 3 ). These results demonstrate the theoretical importance of perceived control as a generative cause of and driving force behind many of power's far-reaching effects. A fourth experiment ruled out an alternative explanation: that positive mood, rather than illusory control, is at the root of power's effects. The discussion considers implications for existing and future research on the psychology of power, perceived control, and positive illusions.
Quantitative analysis of epithelial papillae in patients with oral lichen planus
Authors: López‐Jornet P , Camacho‐Alonso F , Molina‐Miñano F
Published: February 2009

Background  The oral mucosa is relatively vulnerable to pathological processes, and is often affected by autoimmune and malignant diseases. The oral epithelium is normally non‐homogeneous, and joins to the connective tissue through interlocking of its downward projections in the form of papillae.

Objective  This study aims to conduct a histomorphometric study of the epithelial papillae in patients with oral lichen planus (OLP).

Material and method  This study was based on 100 cheek mucosa biopsies from patients with OLP (66 white reticular and 34 atrophic‐erosive) (13 males and 87 females, with a mean age of 54.95 ± 13.64 years). A histological and morphometric evaluation was made, based on imaging analysis with MIP software 4.5 for studying the papillary structure in the patients with OLP.

Results  The mean epithelial thickness was 227.5 ± 78.5 µm. The different papillary measures – BLS (distance from basal layer to epithelial surface), DPS (distance from dermal papilla top to epithelial surface), DPW (dermal papilla width), and DPD (interdermal papilla distance between two papillae) – yielded no statistically significant differences with respect to age, sex, smoking and clinical form. However, a significant correlation was observed in relation to papilla width and inflammatory infiltrate (P = 0.031).

Conclusions  The application of this imaging system is useful for measuring variations in epithelial papillary architecture.

Conflicts of interest

None declared.
Endothelial dysfunction in aged humans is related with oxidative stress and vascular inflammation
Authors: Rodríguez‐Mañas Leocadio , El‐Assar Mariam , Vallejo Susana , López‐Dóriga Pedro , Solís Joaquin , Petidier Roberto , Montes Manuel , Nevado Julián , Castro Marta , Gómez‐Guerrero Carmen , Peiró Concepción , Sánchez‐Ferrer Carlos F.
Published: February 2009

Vascular endothelial dysfunction occurs during the human aging process, and it is considered as a crucial event in the development of many vasculopathies. We investigated the underlying mechanisms of this process, particularly those related with oxidative stress and inflammation, in the vasculature of subjects aged 18–91 years without cardiovascular disease or risk factors. In isolated mesenteric microvessels from these subjects, an age‐dependent impairment of the endothelium‐dependent relaxations to bradykinin was observed. Similar results were observed by plethysmography in the forearm blood flow in response to acetylcholine. In microvessels from subjects aged less than 60 years, most of the bradykinin‐induced relaxation was due to nitric oxide release while the rest was sensitive to cyclooxygenase (COX) blockade. In microvessels from subjects older than 60 years, this COX‐derived vasodilatation was lost but a COX‐derived vasoconstriction occurred. Evidence for age‐related vascular oxidant and inflammatory environment was observed, which could be related to the development of endothelial dysfunction. Indeed, aged microvessels showed superoxide anions (O2−) and peroxynitrite (ONOO−) formation, enhancement of NADPH oxidase and inducible NO synthase expression. Pharmacological interference of COX, thromboxane A2/prostaglandin H2 receptor, O2−, ONOO−, inducible NO synthase, and NADPH oxidase improved the age‐related endothelial dysfunction. In situ vascular nuclear factor‐κB activation was enhanced with age, which correlated with endothelial dysfunction. We conclude that the age‐dependent endothelial dysfunction in human vessels is due to the combined effect of oxidative stress and vascular wall inflammation.
The Reliability and Validity of Kiddie‐Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia ‐ Present and Life‐time Version ‐ Persian Version
Authors: Shahrivar Zahra , Kousha Maryam , Moallemi Shirin , Tehrani‐Doost Mehdi , Alaghband‐Rad Javad
Published: February 2009

Background:  The validity and reliability of a Persian version of the Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia‐Present and Lifetime Version (K‐SADS‐PL‐P) was evaluated.

Method:  The K‐SADS‐PL‐P was administered to 102 inpatients (mean age = 15.3 yrs, SD = 1.81) in a child and adolescent psychiatric ward. The psychometric properties were evaluated in comparison to the results of clinical diagnosis.

Results:  The K‐SADS‐PL‐P showed good‐to‐excellent concurrent validity in diagnosing current major disorders. Test‐retest reliabilities of most of the current diagnoses were also good to excellent.

Conclusion:  The Persian version of the K‐SADS‐PL provides reliable and valid youth psychiatric diagnoses.
Culture of violence or violent Orientalism? Neoliberalisation and imagining the ‘savage other’ in post‐transitional Cambodia
Authors: Springer Simon
Published: February 2009

Violence and authoritarianism continue to resonate in Cambodia’s post‐transitional landscape, leading many scholars, journalists, international donors and non‐governmental organisations alike to posit a ‘culture of violence’ as responsible for the country’s democratic deficit and enduring violence. In contrast, this paper interprets the culture of violence thesis as a sweeping caricature shot through with Orientalist imaginaries, and a problematic discourse that underwrites the process of neoliberalisation. The culture of violence argument is considered to invoke particular imaginative geographies that problematically erase the contingency, fluidity and interconnectedness of the places in which violence occurs. While violence is certainly mediated through both culture and place, following Doreen Massey’s re‐conceptualisation of space and place, this paper understands place not as a confined and isolated unit, but as a relational constellation within the wider experiences of space. This reflection allows us to recognise that any seemingly local, direct or cultural expression of violence is necessarily imbricated in the wider, structural patterns of violence, which in the current moment of political economic orthodoxy increasingly suggests a relationship to neoliberalism. Through the adoption of the culture of violence discourse, neoliberalisation is argued to proceed in the Cambodian context as a ‘civilising’ enterprise, where Cambodians are subsequently imagined as ‘savage others’.
The Occupation of Germany in 1945 and the Politics of German History
Authors: Pritchard Gareth
Published: February 2009

The invasion and occupation of Germany in 1945 have always been the focus of intense, and highly politicised, academic debate. One reason for this was that both the Federal Republic of Germany and the German Democratic Republic based their claims to legitimacy on their rival interpretations of the significance of 1945. The invasion and occupation of Germany were also central to controversies between the western powers and the Soviets over who was to blame for the outbreak of the Cold War and the division of Germany. Different political factions within the western world held differing views on issues such as the German antifascist committees, denazification, and the expulsion of German populations from eastern Europe. This article examines four important strands within the historiography of 1945 – Communism, anti‐Communism, German nationalism, and New Left revisionism – with a particular emphasis on how these strands have been affected by the end of the Cold War and the reunification of Germany. It also explores some exciting new trends in recent scholarship that have few or no precedents in the traditional historiography.
Temporal distribution of clinical seizures over the 24‐h day: A retrospective observational study in a tertiary epilepsy clinic
Authors: Hofstra Wytske A. , Grootemarsink Bertine E. , Dieker Rianneke , Van Der Palen Job , De Weerd Al W.
Published: February 2009

Purpose:  Very few studies have evaluated seizure occurrence in humans over the 24‐h day; data from children are particularly scarce. Circadian patterns in seizure occurrence may be of importance in epilepsy research and may have important implications in diagnosis and therapy.

Methods:  We have analyzed clinical seizures of 176 consecutive patients (76 children, 100 adults) who had continuous electroencephalography (EEG) and video monitoring lasting more than 22 h. Several aspects of seizures were noted, including classification, time of day, origin, and sleep stage.

Results:  More than 800 seizures were recorded. Significantly more seizures were observed from 11:00 to 17:00 h, and from 23:00 to 05:00 h significantly fewer seizures were seen. The daytime peak incidences were observed in seizures overall, complex partial seizures (in children and adults), seizures of extratemporal origin (in children), and seizures of temporal origin (in adults). Incidences significantly lower than expected were seen in the period 23:00 to 05:00 h in seizures overall, complex partial seizures (in children and adults), and in tonic seizures (in children). In addition, significantly fewer seizures of temporal (in children and adults) and extratemporal origin (in children) were observed in this period.

Discussion:  The results suggest that certain types of seizures have a strong tendency to occur in true diurnal patterns. These patterns are characterized by a peak during midday and a low in the early night.
Depression and mental health help‐seeking behaviors in a predominantly African American population of children and adolescents with epilepsy
Authors: Roeder Ruth , Roeder Kathryn , Asano Eishi , Chugani Harry T.
Published: February 2009

Purpose:  To determine whether previously undetected symptoms of depression and psychiatric help‐seeking behaviors are associated with demographic or epilepsy‐related variables in a predominantly African American sample of pediatric epilepsy patients.

Methods:  Ninety‐six serially recruited parent–child dyads (55% African American, 39% Caucasian) completed the Short Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (SMFQ). Regression analyses determined whether depressive symptoms measured by the SMFQ were associated with demographic (age, gender, and ethnic background) or epilepsy‐related variables (age of seizure onset, duration of epilepsy, seizure type, time since last seizure, and number of antiepileptic drugs). Dyads with positive SMFQ screens (score ≥12) received information about depression and were advised to seek mental health services. Six months later, parents completed follow‐up interviews to ascertain mental health service utilization.

Results:  Thirty‐five participants (36.5%) screened positive for probable depression. Greater number of antiepileptic drugs was the only predictor variable independently associated with greater (worse) depression scores (p = 0.005). At 6‐month follow‐up, 12 patients (36.4%) had received mental health care, whereas 21 guardians (63.6%) denied depressive symptoms in their child and never sought mental health services (two dyads lost to follow‐up). Logistic regression analyses found no associations between demographic, epilepsy‐related, or depressive variables and psychiatric help‐seeking.

Discussion:  This study indicates the necessity and feasibility of screening for previously undetected symptoms of depression in pediatric epilepsy clinics serving diverse populations, particularly among patients receiving antiepileptic polytherapy. Additional research on the correlates of depressive symptoms and determinants of psychiatric help‐seeking is needed to develop evidence‐based interventions for youths with epilepsy and symptoms of depression.
Ethosuximide converts ictogenic neurons initiating absence seizures into normal neurons in a genetic model
Authors: Polack Pierre‐Olivier , Charpier Stephane
Published: February 2009

Absence epilepsy is a form of generalized epilepsy commonly seen in children. The neuronal process by which ethosuximide (ETX), a first choice anti‐absence drug, prevents absence seizures is still unresolved. Recent clinical findings have indicated that focal cortical regions are involved during absence seizures. Consistently, it has been shown in genetic models of absence epilepsy that epileptic discharges arise from a delimited region of the cerebral cortex. Here, we made simultaneous in vivo electrocorticographic and intracellular recordings from the cortical focus of the genetic absence epilepsy rat from Strasbourg and examined the effects of systemic injection of ETX at a therapeutic concentration. We show that the interruption of seizures by ETX is correlated with a recovery, in the hyperactive focus neurons, of physiologic values of membrane potential, firing rate, and pattern, as measured in analogous neurons from nonepileptic rats. These data suggest that the anti‐absence action of ETX results from the conversion of ictogenic cortical neurons into normal cortical neurons.
Bumetanide inhibits rapid kindling in neonatal rats
Authors: Mazarati Andréy , Shin Don , Sankar Raman
Published: February 2009

Purpose: To examine the effects of bumetanide, a selective blocker of Na+‐K+‐2Cl−cotransporter (NKCC1), on hippocampal excitability and rapid kindling in immature rats.

Methods: Studies were performed in Wistar rats of three ages: postnatal day 11 (P11, neonatal), P14 (postneonatal), and P21 (preadolescent). Bumetanide (0.2, 0.5, 2.5 mg/kg) was given intraperitoneally 20 min prior to the beginning of the studies. Hippocampal excitability was examined by measuring threshold and duration of afterdischarge, which had been elicited by electrical stimulation of ventral hippocampus. Kindling procedure consisted of 80 electrical stimulations of ventral hippocampus, delivered every 5 min.

Results: At P11, bumetanide (0.5 mg/kg) increased the baseline hippocampal afterdischarge threshold and shortened the afterdischarge duration. Bumetanide delayed the occurrence, and reduced the number of full motor seizures during kindling, and prevented the development of kindling‐induced enhanced seizure susceptibility in a majority of animals. At P14, bumetanide (0.5 mg/kg) induced no significant antiepileptic effects, although suppression of hippocampal excitability and inhibition of kindling were observed in a subset of animals. At P21, bumetanide (0.2; 2.5 mg/kg) exerted no effects on hippocampal excitability and kindling progression.

Discussion: The obtained results provide further evidence that bumetanide may be beneficial for treating neonatal seizures, and that NKCC1 represents a potential target for antiepileptic interventions in the immature brain.
The Book of Concord and Human Sexuality, Seen Through the Institution of Marriage
Authors: Wengert Timothy J.
Published: February 2009

Abstract:  Although The Book of Concord says only a few things about sexuality explicitly, by observing the distinction between law and gospel and the way the reformers correlate the law with their social situation, today's Lutheran readers may reach broader conclusions about their approach to such matters. The most important issue regarding sexuality in the sixteenth century arose from the reformers' desire to distinguish monastic celibacy from true chastity and thus to support their conviction that every‐day married life was a God‐pleasing, Christian vocation.