bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Robotic vs open prostatectomy in a laparoscopically naive centre: a matched‐pair analysis
Authors: Rocco Bernardo , Matei Deliu‐Victor , Melegari Sara , Ospina Juan Camilo , Mazzoleni Federica , Errico Giacomo , Mastropasqua Mauro , Santoro Luigi , Detti Serena , De Cobelli Ottavio
Published: May 2009

OBJECTIVE

To compare the early oncological, perioperative and functional outcomes of robotic‐assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) vs open retropubic RP (RRP) in a laparoscopically naive centre, as robotic assistance aids the laparoscopically naive surgeon in minimally invasive prostate surgery, by offering magnification and superior dexterity.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From 1 November 2006 to 31 December 2007, 120 patients had RARP; this group was followed prospectively and evaluated for early oncological, perioperative and functional outcomes (measured at 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery), and compared to a historical control group of consecutive patients who had RRP from 20 May 2004 to 28 February 2007. All patients were operated by the same laparoscopically naive surgeons. The comparison was by matched‐pair analysis.

RESULTS

The baseline characteristics of the two groups were equivalent, although there was a higher percentage of patients with pT3/pT4 disease in the RRP group. As a proxy for oncological outcome, positive surgical margins were equivalent in the two groups (22% RARP vs 25% RRP, P = 0.77). The overall mean (range) surgical duration was significantly longer in RARP group, at 215 (165–450) min vs 160 (90–240) min in the RRP group (P < 0.001). However, RARP had a statistically significant advantage over RRP for estimated blood loss, of 200 vs 800 mL (P < 0.001), duration of catheterization (6 vs 7 days P < 0.001) and length of stay (3 vs 6 days, P < 0.001) The 3, 6 and 12‐month continence rates were 70%, 93% and 97% vs 63%, 83% and 88% after RARP and RRP, respectively (P = 0.15, 0.011 and 0.014). The 3, 6 and 12 month overall potency recovery rate was 31%, 43% and 61% vs 18%, 31% and 41%, after RARP and RRP, respectively (P = 0.006, 0.045 and 0.003).

CONCLUSION

Our initial experience showed the feasibility of RARP in a laparoscopically naive centre. RRP seems to be a faster procedure, whereas RARP provided better results in terms of estimated blood loss, hospitalization and functional results. The early oncological outcome seemed to be equivalent in the two groups.
The prevalence of erectile dysfunction among Brazilian men screened for prostate cancer
Authors: Paranhos Mario , Antunes Alberto , Andrade Enrico , Freire Geraldo , Srougi Miguel
Published: May 2009

OBJECTIVE

To determine the prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED) in a large cohort of Brazilian men who were screened for prostate cancer, and to determine risk factors in this population, as there are large cultural differences among countries in reporting the frequency of ED, and it is likely that the prevalence of ED among men screened for prostate cancer cannot be generally applied across countries.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

The analysis focused on the baseline characteristics of 1008 consecutive South American men from Brazil with no known prostate disease who had routine screening for prostate cancer by urologists. The variables analysed were patient age, urinary symptoms, patient health‐related quality of life (HRQL), prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) levels, prostate volume and erectile function. To assess lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and HRQL, we used the American Urological Association symptom score and its appended eighth question, respectively. Benign prostatic hyperplasia was defined as a prostate volume of >30 g. Sexual function was assessed using the five‐item version of the International Index of Erectile Function questionnaire. Thus, ED was considered to absent for scores of 22–25, mild for 17–21, mild to moderate for 12–16, moderate for 8–11, or severe for 5–7. Obesity was defined by calculating the body mass index (BMI), and categorized as underweight (<18.5 kg/m2), normal weight (18.5–24.9 kg/m2), overweight (25–29.9 kg/m2) or obese (= 30 kg/m2). The mean (sd) PSA level was 4.3 (6.7) ng/mL and the mean prostate volume 37.8 (21.8) mL. The correlation of ED with these variables was estimated using unconditional logistic regression models.

RESULTS

Information about erectile function was available for 908 patients. ED was considered to be absent, mild, mild to moderate, moderate and severe in 169 (18.6%), 210 (23.1%), 169 (18.6%), 138 (15.2%) and 222 (24.5%) patients, respectively. The ED was severe in 18.4%, 25.7% and 43.4% of patients with mild, moderate and severe LUTS, respectively (P < 0.001). The answer to the HRQL question was also significantly associated with ED; ED was severe in 16.5% of patients feeling delighted/pleased and in 35.8% of patients feeling unhappy/terrible (P < 0.001). The prostate volume was significantly related to ED. The BMI category showed that normal weight, overweight and obese patients had similar rates of ED (P = 0.415); ED was severe in about a quarter of the patients in each of these categories, and 50% and 24% of patients in the underweight and greater BMI groups had severe ED, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Of men screened for prostate cancer in Brazil, ≈40% have moderate or severe ED. Severe LUTS, higher HRQL scores, a large prostate volume, a low BMI and higher PSA levels might be associated with higher rates of ED. These variables should be considered when analysing the erectile function of patients screened for prostate cancer.
Housing anxiety and multiple geographies in post‐tsunami Sri Lanka
Authors: Boano Camillo
Published: May 2009

Tsunami intervention has been an extraordinary and unprecedented relief and recovery operation. This article underlines the complexities posed by shelter and housing intervention in post‐tsunami Sri Lanka, revealing a pragmatic, reductionist approach to shelter and housing reconstruction in a contested and fragmented environment. Competition, housing anxiety and buffer zone implementation have resulted in compulsory villagisation inland, stirring feelings of discrimination and tension, and becoming major obstacles to equitable rebuilding of houses and livelihoods. A new tsunami geography has been imposed on an already vulnerable conflict‐based geography, in which shelter has been conceived as a mono‐dimensional artefact. An analysis of the process and outcomes of temporary and permanent post‐tsunami housing programmes yields information about the extent to which shelter policies and programmes serve not only physical needs but ‘higher order’ objectives for a comprehensive and sustainable recovery plan.
Mapping convergence points in the initial emergency response to 9/111
Authors: Bevc Christine A. , Barlau Ashly N. , Passanante Nick A.
Published: May 2009

In response to extreme events, researchers have recognised the convergence of volunteers, emergency responders, and other individuals and organisations. In 2000, geographer Paul Routledge presented the concept of convergence spaces as a theoretical means to explain social movements. In applying this concept, this paper explores the geographic space in which organisations and individuals converged immediately following the 11 September 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center. The paper begins to answer the question of whether there were in fact any patterns of convergence among the locations utilised by organisations responding to the attacks. Using data collected from field documents, these geographic locations are mapped over 12 days to help identify possible patterns of clustering. Results of this analysis will begin to provide researchers, policy makers and practitioners with a better understanding of how emergency response evolves geographically following an event.
Reproductive health services for refugees by refugees: an example from Guinea
Authors: Von Roenne Anna , Von Roenne Franz , Kollie Sarah , Swaray Yaya , Sondorp Egbert , Borchert Matthias
Published: May 2009

The need to involve refugees in their own reproductive health (RH) services has long been recognised, but there is a lack of published examples describing how this can be achieved collaboratively between refugee initiatives, UNHCR, bilateral development organisations and international relief agencies. This paper outlines the work, outputs and lessons learnt of the Reproductive Health Group (RHG), an organisation of Liberian and Sierra Leonean refugee midwives and laywomen providing RH services to fellow refugees in Guinea's Forest Region between 1996 and 2000. Working as part of the Guinean health system, RHG midwives and community facilitators helped make the RH services in their region the most effective in Guinea at the time. Looking at RHG's achievements, the challenges it faced and partly overcame, it is argued that refugee organisations can plan and implement RH services for refugees where UNHCR and its international partners ensure that they receive funding and technical assistance.
Adaptive Memory
Authors: Nairne James S. , Pandeirada Josefa N.S. , Gregory Karie J. , Van Arsdall Joshua E.
Published: May 2009

Recent studies suggest that human memory systems are “tuned” to remember information that is processed in terms of its fitness value. When people are asked to rate the relevance of words to a survival scenario, performance on subsequent surprise memory tests exceeds that obtained after most other known encoding techniques. The present experiments explored this effect using survival scenarios designed to mimic the division of labor thought to characterize early hunter-gatherer societies. It has been suggested that males and females have different cognitive specializations due to the unique survival tasks (hunting and gathering, respectively) they typically performed during periods of human evolution; the present experiments tested whether such specializations might be apparent in memory for words rated for relevance to these activities. Males and females were asked to rate the relevance of random words to prototypical hunting and gathering scenarios or to matched, non-fitness-relevant control scenarios (gathering food on a scavenger hunt or in a hunting contest). Surprise retention tests revealed superior memory for the words when they were rated for relevance to hunting and gathering scenarios, compared with when they were rated for relevance to the control scenarios, but no sex differences were found in memory performance.
Physical Characteristics of the Menstrual Cycle and Premenstrual Depressive Symptoms
Authors: Kiesner Jeff
Published: May 2009

Little is known about the associations between premenstrual depressive symptoms and specific physical symptoms of the menstrual cycle. In a nonclinical sample of 183 female university students, six physical symptoms of the menstrual cycle (headaches, skin changes, gastrointestinal problems, breast changes, and coagulation and heaviness of menstrual bleeding) were tested for their associations with premenstrual depressive symptoms. The physical symptoms explained nearly 30% of the variance in depressive symptoms. Moreover, when the summed score for all six physical symptoms was used as a predictor of depressive symptoms, a strong linear effect and a moderate curvilinear effect were observed. These results could not be explained by response bias or by the presence of a small group of highly depressed individuals. This study emphasizes the need to consider physical symptoms of the menstrual cycle to better understand premenstrual depressive symptoms, and suggests that the contribution of the menstrual cycle to depressive symptoms in the general population is underrecognized.
Action Understanding in the Superior Temporal Sulcus Region
Authors: Vander Wyk Brent C. , Hudac Caitlin M. , Carter Elizabeth J. , Sobel David M. , Pelphrey Kevin A.
Published: May 2009

The posterior superior temporal sulcus (STS) region plays an important role in the perception of social acts, although its full role has not been completely clarified. This functional magnetic resonance imaging experiment examined activity in the STS region as participants viewed actions that were congruent or incongruent with intentions established by a previous emotional context. Participants viewed an actress express either a positive or a negative emotion toward one of two objects and then subsequently pick up one of them. If the object that was picked up had received positive regard, or if the object that was not picked up had received negative regard, the action was congruent; otherwise, the action was incongruent. Activity in the right posterior STS region was sensitive to the congruency between the action and the actress's emotional expression (i.e., STS activity was greater on incongruent than on congruent trials). These findings suggest that the posterior STS represents not only biological motion, but also how another person's motion is related to his or her intentions.
Performance measurement in R&D: exploring the interplay between measurement objectives, dimensions of performance and contextual factors
Authors: Chiesa Vittorio , Frattini Federico , Lazzarotti Valentina , Manzini Raffaella
Published: May 2009

Measuring research and development (R&D) performance has become a fundamental concern for R&D managers and executives in the last decades. As a result, the issue has been extensively debated in innovation and R&D management literature. The paper contributes to this growing body of knowledge, adopting a systemic and contextual perspective to look into the problem of measuring R&D performance. In particular, it explores the interplay between measurement objectives, performance dimensions and contextual factors in the design of a performance measurement system (PMS) for R&D activities. The paper relies on a multiple case study analysis that involved 15 Italian technology‐intensive firms. The results indicate that firms measure R&D performance with different purposes, i.e. motivate researchers and engineers, monitor the progress of activities, evaluate the profitability of R&D projects, favour coordination and communication and stimulate organisational learning. These objectives are pursued in clusters, and the importance firms attach to each cluster is influenced by the context (type of R&D, industry belonging, size) in which measurement takes place. Furthermore, a firm's choice to measure R&D performance along a particular perspective (i.e. financial, customer, business processes or innovation and learning) is influenced by the classes of objectives (diagnostic, motivational or interactive) that are given higher priority. The implications of these results for R&D managers and scholars are discussed in the paper.
Genocide as Social Control
Authors: Campbell Bradley
Published: May 2009

Genocide is defined here as organized and unilateral mass killing on the basis of ethnicity. While some have focused on genocide as a type of deviance, most genocide is also social control—a response to behavior itself defined as deviant. As such, it can be explained as a part of a general theory of social control. Black's (1998) theories of social control explain the handling of conflicts with their social geometry—that is, with the social characteristics of those involved in the conflict. Here, Blackian theories of social control are extended to specify the social geometry of genocide as follows: genocide varies directly with immobility, cultural distance, relational distance, functional independence, and inequality; and it is greater in a downward direction than in an upward or lateral direction. This theory of genocide can be applied to numerous genocides throughout history, and it is capable of ordering much of the known variation in genocide—such as when and where it occurs, how severe it is, and who participates.
Knowing and Seeing: Responding to Stroud's Dilemma
Authors: Cassam Quassim
Published: May 2009

Abstract: Barry Stroud suggests that when we want to explain a certain kind of knowledge philosophically we feel we must explain it on the basis of another, prior kind of knowledge that does not imply or presuppose any of the knowledge we are trying to explain. If we accept this epistemic priority requirement (EPR) we find that we cannot explain our knowledge of the world in a way that satisfies it. If we reject EPR then we will be failing to make all of our knowledge of the world intelligible all at once. I respond to this dilemma by questioning EPR and arguing that it is, in any case, a requirement that is satisfied by explanations of our knowledge in terms of non‐epistemic seeing. Since non‐epistemic seeing is not a form of knowing, such explanations show how knowledge of the world can come to be out of something that is not knowledge of the world.
An innovative water‐soluble biopolymer improves efficacy of ciclopirox nail lacquer in the management of onychomycosis
Authors: Baran R , Tosti A , Hartmane I , Altmeyer P , Hercogova J , Koudelkova V , Ruzicka T , Combemale P , Mikazans I
Published: May 2009

Background  A new 8% ciclopirox‐medicated nail lacquer (P‐3051), based on a new technology, revealed superior properties in terms of affinity to keratin, nail permeation, and ease of use.

Objective  This study aims to assess the efficacy and safety of P‐3051 vs. the market 8% ciclopirox nail lacquer.

Methods  This is a multicentre, randomized, three‐arm, placebo‐controlled, parallel groups, evaluator‐blinded study. Overall, 467 patients with onychomycosis of at least one big toenail were randomized to receive P‐3051, the reference drug or placebo in a 2 : 2 : 1 ratio for a 48‐week treatment by daily application, followed by a 12‐week follow‐up.

Results  The study satisfied its objective by demonstrating that P‐3051 was both superior to placebo and non‐inferior to reference in the complete cure rate after a 48‐week active treatment period. Switching the non‐inferiority to superiority hypothesis, the superiority of P‐3051 vs. reference was nearly significant at week 48 (confirmed at week 52), and it was significant at week 60 (cure rate for P‐3051 is 119% higher than reference; P < 0.05). Altogether, the results on primary endpoint exceed expectations; superiority test was performed also on secondary endpoints to confirm the superiority trend of the study. At the end of follow‐up, percentages of patients who achieved the endpoint ‘responder’ in the P‐3051 group were 66% higher than reference (P < 0.05), and those who achieved the endpoint ‘decrease of diseased nail’ were 40% higher (P < 0.05).

Conclusion  Ciclopirox 8% hydrolacquer is more active than reference ciclopirox nail lacquer in the treatment of onychomycosis.

Conflicts of interest

None declared.
News Framing and Public Support for a Common Foreign and Security Policy*
Authors: DE VREESE CLAES H. , KANDYLA ANNA
Published: May 2009

A common EU foreign and security policy (CFSP) can be framed by elites and media as a risk or as an opportunity. This article examines the effects of framing in terms of ‘risk’ and ‘opportunity’ on public support. Moreover, we examine first whether the effect of framing CFSP as a ‘risk for the nation‐state’ has more impact than ‘risk for the EU’ framing, and second whether fear of globalization moderates the effect of news framing at the individual level. Drawing on a survey‐embedded experiment (n = 2,081) we found that participants in the ‘risk’ frame condition showed significantly lower levels of support compared to participants in the ‘opportunity’ condition. Those in the ‘risk for the nation‐state’ condition were significantly less supportive of CFSP than those in the ‘risk for the EU’ condition. The framing effect was moderated by fear of globalization so that individuals more afraid of globalization exposed to the ‘risk’ frame condition were significantly more susceptible to ‘risk’ framing than individuals with low fear of globalization. The results provide insights into the effects of valenced news frames and support for specific EU policies.
Incomplete Contracting, Commission Discretion and the Origins of EU Merger Control*
Authors: DOLEYS THOMAS
Published: May 2009

Council Regulation 4064/89 on the Control of Concentration between Undertakings– more commonly known as the Merger Regulation – was a watershed development in the evolution of the EU's competition policy regime. In this article we seek to cast new analytical light on what, in many respects, is an established narrative. To do this we draw on insights from the new institutional economics (NIE). Specifically, we draw on the complementary concepts of incomplete contracting and delegation. We demonstrate how the Commission utilized the discretion attendant to its delegated authority to interpret and apply the indeterminate language of treaty competition articles so as to alter the economic, political and legal environment as it pertained to merger activity. It did so to such an extent that Member States, long resistant to Commission proposals for a merger control regulation, came to regard legislative action as preferable to the uncertainty represented by the evolving status quo.
Adaptive Learning and Macroeconomic Inertia in the Euro Area*
Authors: MILANI FABIO
Published: May 2009

This article aims to study the determinants of macroeconomic inertia in the euro area. To this end, it estimates a simple monetary DSGE model with private‐sector learning, but which also includes more structural sources of inertia, such as habit formation in consumption and inflation indexation. Economic agents are assumed to form near‐rational expectations and to learn the model parameters over time. Likelihood‐based Bayesian methods are used to estimate the agents' beliefs jointly within the system and to provide evidence on the fit of alternative learning rules. The results show that European macroeconomic inertia has only moderately changed over the sample. The evidence is consistent with a small gain coefficient and low degrees of habits and indexation, although some uncertainty remains after the estimation.
EU Identification and Endorsement in Context: The Importance of Regional Identity Salience
Authors: MOLS FRANK , JETTEN JOLANDA , HASLAM S. ALEXANDER
Published: May 2009

Public opinion research has increased our understanding of the variables affecting endorsement of EU integration. What is less well understood is how comparative identity processes shape EU identification. Drawing on social identity principles, we argue that EU identification is in part affected by tensions between relevant subgroup identities. To illustrate this point, two studies were conducted in UK regions (Wales and Cornwall). Findings confirm our prediction that a comparative context affects EU identity and indicate (a) that levels of EU identity were higher in contexts where regional identity was salient, and (b) that regional identity affected the bases and meaning of EU identification and EU endorsement. Discussion highlights the importance of taking context and intergroup relations into account when examining EU attitudes.
The Lisbon Treaty: De‐Constitutionalizing the European Union?*
Authors: REH CHRISTINE
Published: May 2009

Calls to ratify the Lisbon Treaty by referendum have been countered with arguments about the Treaty's ‘non‐constitutional’ nature. Against this backdrop, this article asks how much ‘constitution’ is left in the new document. To answer this question, I assert that little is gained by classifying the Treaty in toto as a ‘European constitution’ or as the epitome of its failure. Instead, I develop an analytical framework that disaggregates the concept of constitution into its formal, material and symbolic functions, and systematically assess how far Lisbon would strengthen (or weaken) Europe's constitutional quality. The article suggests that, rather than transferring new competences to Brussels or making a constitutional saut qualitatif, Lisbon moderately bolsters the Treaties' formal functions; yet, in contrast to the Constitutional Treaty it adds little in material terms and is a decisive setback symbolically. Calls for ratification by referendum justified by the reform's extent are therefore ill‐founded.
Territorial occupancy and breeding performance in a migratory raptor do not follow ideal despotic distribution patterns
Authors: Pagán I. , Martínez J. E. , Calvo J. F.
Published: May 2009

It has commonly been argued that many territorial species select their breeding sites following an ideal despotic distribution model, in which the most productive, high‐quality territories are more frequently occupied. Theoretical and empirical studies have shown that this occupancy pattern may have population regulatory consequences, leading to density dependence in heterogeneous habitats. During a 9‐year research project in a forested area of south‐eastern Spain, we tested some of the predictions of the ideal despotic distribution model and the site‐dependent population regulation theory in a migratory raptor species, the booted eagle Hieraaetus pennatus. Contrary to the predictions of the despotic model, our results showed that the temporal pattern of territorial occupation did not differ from randomness, and that the territory occupancy rate was not significantly related to the reproductive parameters considered. At population level, the breeding variables were density independent, suggesting the absence of site‐dependent regulation. In addition, we were unable to find significant differences in the habitat characteristics between high‐quality and low‐quality territories, classified according to the criteria of both occupancy frequency and average productivity. Overall, our results suggest that booted eagles select their territories at random, probably due to the lack of strong environmental heterogeneity, and that occupancy rate is not a good measure of territory quality for the population studied.
Melanocortin potentiates leptin‐induced STAT3 signaling via MAPK pathway
Authors: Zhang Yan , Wu Xiaojun , He Yi , Kastin Abba J. , Hsuchou Hung , Rosenblum Charles I. , Pan Weihong
Published: May 2009

The co‐existence of receptors for leptin and melanocortin in cerebral microvessels suggests possible interactions between leptin and α‐melanocyte stimulating hormone (MSH) signaling. In this study, we showed that ObRb and melanocortin receptor MC3R and MC4R were present in enriched cerebral microvessels. To test the interactions between ObRb and MC3R or MC4R‐mediated cellular signaling, we over‐expressed these plasmids in RBE4 cerebral microvascular endothelial cells and HEK293 cells in culture. Activation of signal transducers and activators of transcription‐3 (STAT3) in response to leptin was determined by western blotting and luciferase reporter assays. Production of cAMP downstream to melanocortin receptors was determined with a chemiluminescent ELISA kit. αMSH, which increased intracellular cAMP, also potentiated leptin‐induced STAT3 activation. This potentiation was abolished by a specific MEK inhibitor, indicating the involvement of the mitogen‐activated kinase pathway. Reversely, the effect of leptin on αMSH‐induced cAMP production was minimal. Thus, melanocortin specifically potentiated STAT3 signaling downstream to ObRb by cross‐talk with mitogen‐activated kinase. The cooperation of ObRb and G protein‐coupled receptors in cellular signaling may have considerable biological implications not restricted to feeding and obesity.
Manganese exposure is cytotoxic and alters dopaminergic and GABAergic neurons within the basal ganglia
Authors: Stanwood Gregg D. , Leitch Duncan B. , Savchenko Valentina , Wu Jane , Fitsanakis Vanessa A. , Anderson Douglas J. , Stankowski Jeannette N. , Aschner Michael , McLaughlin BethAnn
Published: May 2009

Manganese is an essential nutrient, integral to proper metabolism of amino acids, proteins and lipids. Excessive environmental exposure to manganese can produce extrapyramidal symptoms similar to those observed in Parkinson’s disease (PD). We usedin vivoandin vitromodels to examine cellular and circuitry alterations induced by manganese exposure. Primary mesencephalic cultures were treated with 10–800 μM manganese chloride which resulted in dramatic changes in the neuronal cytoskeleton even at subtoxic concentrations. Using cultures from mice with red fluorescent protein driven by the tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) promoter, we found that dopaminergic neurons were more susceptible to manganese toxicity. To understand the vulnerability of dopaminergic cells to chronic manganese exposure, mice were given i.p. injections of MnCl2for 30 days. We observed a 20% reduction in TH‐positive neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) following manganese treatment. Quantification of Nissl bodies revealed a widespread reduction in SNpc cell numbers. Other areas of the basal ganglia were also altered by manganese as evidenced by the loss of glutamic acid decarboxylase 67 in the striatum. These studies suggest that acute manganese exposure induces cytoskeletal dysfunction prior to degeneration and that chronic manganese exposure results in neurochemical dysfunction with overlapping features to PD.
Dual transgenic reporter mice as a tool for monitoring expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein
Authors: Cho Woosung , Hagemann Tracy L. , Johnson Delinda A. , Johnson Jeffrey A. , Messing Albee
Published: May 2009

Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) is the major intermediate filament protein of astrocytes, and its expression changes dramatically during development and following injury. To facilitate study of the regulation of GFAP expression, we have generated dual transgenic mice expressing both firefly luciferase under the control of a 2.2 kb human GFAP promoter and Renilla luciferase under the control of a 0.5 kb human Glyceraldehyde 3 phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) promoter for normalization of the GFAP signal. The GFAP‐fLuc was highly expressed in brain compared to other tissues, and was limited to astrocytes, whereas the GAPDH‐RLuc was more widely expressed. Normalization of the GFAP signal to the GAPDH signal reduced the inter‐individual variability compared to using the GFAP signal alone. The GFAP/GAPDH ratio correctly reflected the up‐regulation of GFAP that occurs following retinal degeneration in FVB/N mice because of the rd mutation. Following kainic acid‐induced seizures, changes in the GFAP/GAPDH ratio precede those in total GFAP protein. In knock‐in mice expressing the R236H Alexander disease mutant, GFAP promoter activity is only transiently elevated and may not entirely account for the accumulation of GFAP protein that takes place.
Impaired dopamine release and synaptic plasticity in the striatum of Parkin−/− mice
Authors: Kitada Tohru , Pisani Antonio , Karouani Maha , Haburcak Marian , Martella Giuseppina , Tscherter Anne , Platania Paola , Wu Bei , Pothos Emmanuel N. , Shen Jie
Published: May 2009

Parkin is the most common causative gene of juvenile and early‐onset familial Parkinson’s diseases and is thought to function as an E3 ubiquitin ligase in the ubiquitin‐proteasome system. However, it remains unclear how loss of Parkin protein causes dopaminergic dysfunction and nigral neurodegeneration. To investigate the pathogenic mechanism underlying these mutations, we used parkin−/− mice to study its physiological function in the nigrostriatal circuit. Amperometric recordings showed decreases in evoked dopamine release in acute striatal slices of parkin−/− mice and reductions in the total catecholamine release and quantal size in dissociated chromaffin cells derived from parkin−/− mice. Intracellular recordings of striatal medium spiny neurons revealed impairments of long‐term depression and long‐term potentiation in parkin−/− mice, whereas long‐term potentiation was normal in the Schaeffer collateral pathway of the hippocampus. Levels of dopamine receptors and dopamine transporters were normal in the parkin−/− striatum. These results indicate that Parkin is involved in the regulation of evoked dopamine release and striatal synaptic plasticity in the nigrostriatal pathway, and suggest that impairment in evoked dopamine release may represent a common pathophysiological change in recessive parkinsonism.
Framing exclusion in Cape Town's gay village: the discursive and material perpetration of inequitable queer subjects1
Authors: Tucker Andrew
Published: May 2009

Within and beyond geography, there has been a growing concern in understanding how and why exclusion can occur within ‘gay spaces’, with a specific focus on Western Europe and North America.

Heidi Nast's (2002

Queer patriarchies, queer racisms, international Antipode 34 874–909) work on the ‘white queer patriarch’ has taken this work further by exploring the multiple, interrelated, historical and contemporary factors that can lead to exclusion and exploitation. Despite growing interest surrounding South Africa's new liberal queer agenda, issues of contemporary exclusion among queer groups as a direct result of race and racism have remained relatively unexplored. By incorporating elements of Nast's schema, this article will examine the power that exists in the creation and framing of essentialistic ‘white’ and ‘coloured’ queer male subjects in Cape Town's gay village. These subjects will be shown to simultaneously draw on historical inequalities while also re‐imagining them in contemporary settings to re‐inscribe perceptions of classed and gendered difference. The creation of such inequitable subjects helps us understand how exclusion can become real and normalised within a space such as Cape Town's gay village in a way that draws on a history of material inequalities and discursive perceptions of race.
The contamination of personal space: boundary construction in a prison environment
Authors: Sibley David , Van Hoven Bettina
Published: May 2009

In this paper, inmates in dormitories in a prison in New Mexico, USA, talk about their everyday lives. We are particularly interested in the ways in which they think about space. Their principal concern appears to be the definition of personal space in an environment where boundaries are weak. The paper focuses on anxieties about contamination which serve to define real and imaginary spaces within the prison. Interpersonal relationships figure more in inmates’ observations than does the disciplinary regime and the material environment of the prison. We argue that this has important implications for understanding space–power relations in institutional settings.
A new zoogeography of domestication and agricultural planning in Southern Ghana
Authors: Campbell Michael
Published: May 2009

Animal behaviour is vital for livestock choices, but is less researched in West Africa than economic considerations. An animal geography framework is applied to the socio‐economic context of livestock behaviour in coastal Ghana, assessing the shared ‘actant’ behaviour of people and animals, and the contribution of such a study to animal geography and agricultural knowledge. Data were gathered on cattle, sheep and goat behaviour and the impact of these on human livelihoods, perceptions and the socio‐environmental context. Animal behaviour was more important in the choice of livestock species, but economic considerations were more important in the decision to acquire animals. Goats had more incidents with people in village centres than sheep and cattle. Cattle had more incidents in farmland and grassland than goats and sheep. Women and young people were more affected by livestock behaviour. These findings increase the understanding of livestock zoogeography and livelihood decisionmaking, and contribute to animal geography by documenting the relevance of individualised gender‐ and age‐based human behaviour, as well as intra‐ and inter‐species animal behaviour to a shared actancy perspective, and a more dynamic zoogeography.
Soil fertility evolution and landscape dynamics in a Mediterranean area: a case study in the Sant Llorenç Natural Park (Barcelona, NE Spain)
Authors: Nadal Jordi , Pèlachs Albert , Molina David , Soriano Joan‐Manuel
Published: May 2009

The cartography of land covers was used to study fertility and soil evolution in a mountainous Mediterranean area during the anthropocene period (

Crutzen P J 2002

Geology of mankind Nature 415 23). The aim was to determine changes in fertility as agricultural lands were abandoned in the 14 000 hectare area that constitutes Sant Llorenç del Munt Natural Park in a pre‐coastal Catalan mountain range (north‐eastern Iberian Peninsula). The analysis of land covers using vegetation maps, orthorectified images and aerial photography has allowed us to differentiate six vegetation groups: holm‐oak wood, pine grove, oak wood, scrub, active agricultural fields and abandoned agricultural fields. The anthropic covers over the past 100 years were subdivided into five categories: active fields and those abandoned over four time periods. Study variables include field shape (concave, convex, flat), orientation (north, south) and slope (ranging from 12º to 24º). The parameters used for the physical‐chemical soil analysis included organic material, phosphorous and potassium; fertility was classified based on groups, types and classes. The results indicate that even when the visual appearance of certain landscapes is similar, the edaphic characteristics may be very different. Changes induced by human disturbance share this phenomenon. Therefore, land management should be considered globally, taking into account vegetation, soils and water as interdependent factors, since it is their interaction that produces landscape and most affects its evolution over time.
Characterization of P2Y receptor subtypes functionally expressed on neonatal rat cardiac myofibroblasts
Authors: Talasila Amarnath , Germack Renée , Dickenson John M
Published: May 2009

Background and purpose:  Little is known about P2Y receptors in cardiac fibroblasts, which represent the predominant cell type in the heart and differentiate into myofibroblasts under certain conditions. Therefore, we have characterized the phenotype of the cells and the different P2Y receptors at the expression and functional levels in neonatal rat non‐cardiomyocytes.

Experimental approach:  Non‐cardiomyocyte phenotype was determined by confocal microscopy by using discoidin domain receptor 2, α‐actin and desmin antibodies. P2Y receptor expression was investigated by reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction and immunocytochemistry, and receptor function by cAMP and inositol phosphate (IP) accumulation induced by adenine or uracil nucleotides in the presence or absence of selective antagonists of P2Y1 (MRS 2179, 2‐deoxy‐N6‐methyl adenosine 3′,5′‐diphosphate diammonium salt), P2Y6 (MRS 2578) and P2Y11 (NF 157, 8,8′‐[carbonylbis[imino‐3,1‐phenylenecarbonylimino(4‐fluoro‐3,1‐phenylene)carbonylimino]]bis‐1,3,5‐naphthalene trisulphonic acid hexasodium salt) receptors. Gi/o and Gq/11 pathways were evaluated by using Pertussis toxin and YM‐254890 respectively.

Key results:  The cells (>95%) were α‐actin and discoidin domain receptor 2‐positive and desmin‐negative. P2Y1, P2Y2, P2Y4, P2Y6 were detected by reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction and immunocytochemistry, and P2Y11‐like receptors at protein level. All di‐ or tri‐phosphate nucleotides stimulated IP production in an YM‐254890‐sensitive manner. AMP, ADPβS, ATP and ATPγS increased cAMP accumulation, whereas UDP and UTP inhibited cAMP response, which was abolished by Pertussis toxin. MRS 2179 and NF 157 inhibited ADPβS‐induced IP production. MRS 2578 blocked UDP‐ and UTP‐mediated IP responses.

Conclusion and implications:  P2Y1‐, P2Y2‐, P2Y4‐, P2Y6‐, P2Y11‐like receptors were co‐expressed and induced function through Gq/11 protein coupling in myofibroblasts. Furthermore, P2Y2 and P2Y4 receptor subtypes were also coupled to Gi/o. The Gs response to adenine nucleotides suggests a possible expression of a new P2Y receptor subtype.
G‐protein‐coupled receptor heteromers or how neurons can display differently flavoured patterns in response to the same neurotransmitter
Authors: Franco Rafael
Published: May 2009

It is becoming accepted that G‐protein‐coupled receptors (GPCRs) arrange in the neuronal membrane into homo‐ and hetero‐oligomers and, therefore, these complexes mediate neurotransmission. New models are then needed to understand GPCR operation and predict the consequences of GPCR homo‐ or hetero‐oligomerization. Although there is not any unifying theory addressing how hetero‐oligomerization occurs, recent models have been devised to understand the thermodynamics of binding of neurotransmitters to GPCRs and the allosteric protomer‐protomer interactions involved in neurotransmitter‐mediated activation of GPCRs. Although a model to predict how signalling is produced via homo‐ or hetero‐oligomerization is lacking, functional data show that receptor oligomers exist to produce a variety of effects in neurons in response to a single neurotransmitter.
Long‐chain n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids: new insights into mechanisms relating to inflammation and coronary heart disease
Authors: de Roos Baukje , Mavrommatis Yiannis , Brouwer Ingeborg A
Published: May 2009

Evidence from observational studies, prospective cohort studies and randomized clinical intervention studies indicate that moderate doses of long‐chain n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC n‐3 PUFA) significantly decrease risk of fatal coronary heart disease (CHD). Higher doses and longer duration of intervention may also protect from non‐fatal CHD events. The exact mechanisms through which LC n‐3 PUFA has an effect on CHD are not well established but may include a decrease in fasting and postprandial triacylglycerol levels, a decrease in arrhythmias, modulation of platelet aggregation and decreased synthesis of pro‐inflammatory agents. The mechanistic relation between LC n‐3 PUFA and inflammation has attracted great interest, and in vitro studies have revealed that these fatty acids decrease endothelial activation, affect eicosanoid metabolism (including epoxygenation pathways) and induce inflammatory resolution. However, the effects of LC n‐3 PUFA on established biomarkers of inflammation and endothelial activation in vivo are not strong. Consequently we need new and more sensitive and systemic biomarkers to reveal the effects of LC n‐3 PUFA on localized inflammatory processes.
Body weight reduction in rats by oral treatment with zinc plus cyclo‐(His‐Pro)
Authors: Song MK , Rosenthal MJ , Song AM , Uyemura K , Yang H , Ament ME , Yamaguchi DT , Cornford EM
Published: May 2009

Background and purpose:  We have previously shown that treatment with zinc plus cyclo‐(His‐Pro) (CHP) significantly stimulated synthesis of the insulin degrading enzyme and lowered plasma insulin and blood glucose levels, alongside improving oral glucose tolerance in genetically type 2 diabetic Goto‐Kakizaki (G‐K) rats and in aged obese Sprague‐Dawley (S‐D) rats. Thus, we postulated that zinc plus CHP (ZC) treatment might also improve body weight control in these rats. We therefore determined the effects of ZC treatment on body weights in both genetically diabetic, mature G‐K rats and non‐diabetic, obese S‐D rats.

Experimental approach:  G‐K rats aged 1.5–10 months and non‐diabetic overweight or obese S‐D rats aged 6–18 months were treated with 0–6 mg CHP plus 0–10 mg zinc·L−1 drinking water for 2–4 weeks, and changes in weight, serum leptin and adiponectin levels, food and water intakes were measured.

Key results:  The optimal dose of CHP (in combination with zinc) to reduce weight and plasma leptin levels and to increase plasma adiponectin levels was close to 0.1 mg·kg−1·day−1, in either mature G‐K rats and aged overweight or obese S‐D rats. Food and water intake significantly decreased in ZC treated rats in both aged S‐D rats and mature G‐K rats, but not in young S‐D and G‐K rats.

Conclusions and implications:  ZC treatment improved weight control and may be a possible treatment for overweight and obesity.
Oestrogen confers cardioprotection by suppressing Ca2+/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase II
Authors: Ma Y , Cheng WT , Wu S , Wong TM
Published: May 2009

Background and purpose: Oestrogen confers cardioprotection by down‐regulating the β1‐adrenoceptor and suppressing the expression and activity of protein kinase A. We hypothesized that oestrogen may also protect the heart by suppressing Ca2+/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII), another signalling messenger activated by the β1‐adrenoceptor, that enhances apoptosis.

Experimental approach: We first determined the expression of CaMKII in the heart from sham and ovariectomized rats with and without oestrogen replacement. We then determined the effects of CaMKII inhibition (KN93, 2.5 µmol·L−1) in the presence or absence of 10−7 mol·L−1isoprenaline, a non‐selective β‐adrenoceptor agonist. We also determined the percentage apoptosis in myocytes from rats in each group with or without β‐adrenoceptor stimulation.

Key results: Both CaMKIIδ and phosphorylated CaMKII were up‐regulated in the hearts from ovariectomized rats, and they were restored to normal by oestrogen replacement. The infarct size and lactate dehydrogenase release were significantly greater after ovariectomy. Similarly, cardiac contractility, the amplitude of the electrically induced intracellular Ca2+transient and the number of apoptotic cells were also greater in ovariectomized rats upon ischaemia/reperfusion in the presence or absence of isoprenaline. Most importantly, the responses to ischaemic insult in ovariectomized rats were reversed not only by oestrogen replacement, but by blockade of CaMKII with KN93.

Conclusions and implications: Oestrogen confers cardioprotection at least partly by suppressing CaMKIIδ. This effect of oestrogen on CaMKII is independent of the β‐adrenoceptor and occurs in addition to down‐regulation of the receptor.
The carbon monoxide releasing molecule (CORM‐3) inhibits expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule‐1 and E‐selectin independently of haem oxygenase‐1 expression
Authors: Song H , Bergstrasser C , Rafat N , Höger S , Schmidt M , Endres N , Goebeler M , Hillebrands JL , Brigelius‐Flohé R , Banning A , Beck G , Loesel R , Yard BA
Published: May 2009

Background and purpose:  Although carbon monoxide (CO) can modulate inflammatory processes, the influence of CO on adhesion molecules is less clear. This might be due to the limited amount of CO generated by haem degradation. We therefore tested the ability of a CO releasing molecule (CORM‐3), used in supra‐physiological concentrations, to modulate the expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)‐1 and E‐selectin on endothelial cells and the mechanism(s) involved.

Experimental approach:  Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were stimulated with tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α in the presence or absence of CORM‐3. The influence of CORM‐3 on VCAM‐1 and E‐selectin expression and the nuclear factor (NF)‐κB pathway was assessed by flow cytometry, Western blotting and electrophoretic mobility shift assay.

Key results:  CORM‐3 inhibited the expression of VCAM‐1 and E‐selectin on TNF‐α‐stimulated HUVEC. VCAM‐1 expression was also inhibited when CORM‐3 was added 24 h after TNF‐α stimulation or when TNF‐α was removed. This was paralleled by deactivation of NF‐κB and a reduction in VCAM‐1 mRNA. Although TNF‐α removal was more effective in this regard, VCAM‐1 protein was down‐regulated more rapidly when CORM‐3 was added. CORM‐3 induced haem oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1) in a dose‐ and time‐dependent manner, mediated by the transcription factor, Nrf2. CORM‐3 was still able to down‐regulate VCAM‐1 expression in HUVEC transfected with siRNA for HO‐1 or Nrf2.

Conclusions and implications:  Down‐regulation of VCAM and E‐selectin expression induced by CORM‐3 was independent of HO‐1 up‐regulation and was predominantly due to inhibition of sustained NF‐κB activation.