bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Frequency of promotional strategies and attention elements in children's food commercials during children's programming blocks on US broadcast networks
Authors: Page Randy M. , Brewster Aaron
Published: September 2007

Purpose

The purpose of the current study is to identify the extent to which promotional strategies and attention elements appear in a sample of children's food commercials.

Design/methodology/approach

The research was a content analysis study of 147 commercials that examined 20 separate promotional strategies and 20 different attention elements. The sample of commercials included those appearing on five US broadcast networks during children's programming blocks.

Findings

Findings show that the most frequently used promotional strategies were the use of jingles/slogans, showing children with the food, and the use of product identification characters. The use of animation, “real children,” and animal characters were the most used attention elements in the commercials.

Research limitations/implications

The sample of commercials used in this analysis was obtained from broadcast networks and did not include cable network programming; however, the commercials represent commercials from a wide variety of food products and food product categories. Although not determined empirically, the same commercials appeared to air on the broadcast and cable networks.

Practical implications

Health and nutrition educators can draw on this study's findings by applying this information in creating more effective nutrition and health promotion messages designed to counter promotional strategies and attention elements in advertising messages that are addressed in this study.

Originality/value

Although specific promotional strategies and attention elements found in children's food commercials have been identified, there have been no studies addressing the frequency of these strategies/elements among a sample of commercials.
Children's influence on and participation in the family decision process during food buying
Authors: Kümpel Nørgaard Maria , Bruns Karen , Haudrup Christensen Pia , Romero Mikkelsen Miguel
Published: September 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to contribute to studies of family decision making during food buying. In particular a theoretical framework is proposed for structuring future studies of family decision making that include children's influence and participation at specific stages of the process.

Design/methodology/approach

The conceptual framework is developed on the basis of earlier theoretical work focused on family shopping as well as an ethnographic study of parents and children. The framework was refined after testing in a survey with 451 Danish families with children aged ten to 13 using questionnaires for both children and parents.

Findings

Family food decision making is often a joint activity, and children's active participation, among other things, determines the influence they gain. Parents and children do not always agree on how much influence children have in the various stages of the process, indicating the importance of listening to both parties in research into the family dynamics and processes involved in everyday food buying.

Research limitations/implications

Future research should further extend the knowledge about the areas where children have influence, about the techniques used by children to achieve influence, and more about those factors that explain when they gain influence.

Practical implications

Marketers can benefit from the findings when promoting food products to adults as well as to children. Specifically, the findings suggest that children have most influence on decisions regarding easily prepared meals.

Originality/value

This mixed‐method approach provides interesting new results, and the main findings emphasise the importance of looking at food decision making as a joint activity where children participate actively and gain influence.
Disturbance of the Ca2+/calmodulin‐dependent signalling pathway is responsible for the resistance of Arabidopsis dnd1 against Pectobacterium carotovorum infection
Authors: AHN IL‐PYUNG
Published: September 2007

Arabidopsis thaliana wild‐type Col‐0 and its mutant, ‘defence, no death’ (dnd) 1‐1, were infected with biotrophic Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato strain DC3000 and necrotrophic Pectobacterium carotovorum strain KACC 10228, and cellular and molecular responses among them were then analysed. Col‐0 wild‐type was susceptible to both pathogens. By contrast, neither DC3000 nor KACC 10228 infected dnd1‐1 (Yu et al., 1998. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 95: 7819–7824). Neither of the pathogens triggered cell death or accumulation of active oxygen species in dnd1‐1. KACC 10228 induced accelerated transcriptions of PDF1.2 and AtEBP genes in wild‐type Col‐0, while DC3000‐induced transcriptions of them were relatively retarded. Neither of the pathogens modified the constitutive transcription of PR1 in dnd1‐1. PDF1.2 and AtEBP transcriptions were not induced by the same treatments. Hydrogen peroxide scavengers, catalase and ascorbic acid, and LaCl3, an inhibitor of Ca2+ influx, diminished cell death and protected the wild‐type plant from KACC 10228 infection, while EGTA inhibited cell death and pathogen growth. Exogenous Ca2+ nullified resistance against KACC 10228 challenge in dnd1‐1. W‐7 and chloropromazine, two calmodulin antagonists, also triggered cell death in dnd1‐1 and abolished resistance against KACC 10228. In summary, cell death is correlated with KACC 10228 infection and disease development. Furthermore, the resistance of dnd1‐1 against P. carotovorum is dependent on calmodulin and inhibition of cytosolic Ca2+ increment.
User satisfaction and forces generated during laryngoscopy using disposable Miller blades: a manikin study*
Authors: Sudhir G. , Wilkes A. R. , Clyburn P. , Aguilera I. , Hall J. E.
Published: September 2007

Increasing awareness of prion‐related diseases has led to an increase in the number of disposable laryngoscope blades available. We compared 11 disposable and standard re‐usable Miller size 1 blades. In this manikin‐based study, we studied user satisfaction for field of view at laryngoscopy, build quality and users' willingness to use the blade in an emergency situation. These were found to be better with metal disposable blades (p≤0.001). Vertical and horizontal forces developed during laryngoscopy were greater with plastic than with metal blades.
Statistics‐based alarms from sequential physiological measurements
Authors: Harrison M. J. , Connor C. W.
Published: September 2007

We have developed an anaesthesia alarm system that responds in a more clinically appropriate manner than current threshold alarms. A decrease in systolic arterial pressure of 10 mmHg from a previous value of 70 mmHg has a greater clinical significance than a decrease of 10 mmHg from 150 mmHg. However, it has been difficult to envisage a simple algorithm for the detection of these contextually adverse changes in physiological variables. We have processed systolic arterial pressure data to create a mathematically straightforward statistical tool for sampling intervals up to 5 min. Both the blood pressure and the change in blood pressure over a known time interval are plotted on x and y axes with the units in standard deviations. Some 10 824 measurements were obtained at 10‐s intervals in 17 patients. The mean (SD) systolic arterial pressure for all observations in our patients was 118 (17.0) mmHg. The mean (SD) change in systolic arterial pressure over 5 min was − 0.35 (15.2) mmHg. Combining the value for the standard deviation of systolic arterial pressure and the standard deviation of the change in systolic arterial pressure using Pythagoras's theorem creates a value in standard deviations for this particular state. Instead of alarms being set in mmHg, they would be set in standard deviations. This technique was developed further using Principal Component Analysis to isolate uncommon deviations from normal, clinically unimportant physiological variations. These clinically unimportant changes occur in a predictable fashion only if the sampling interval is 90 s or less. This new alarm system is asymmetric – a small decrease in systolic arterial pressure from 90 mmHg may, appropriately, set off an alarm but it would require a much larger increase in systolic arterial pressure to do so.
The assessment of postoperative pain by monitoring skin conductance: results of a prospective study*
Authors: Ledowski T. , Bromilow J. , Wu J. , Paech M. J. , Storm H. , Schug S. A.
Published: September 2007

The number of fluctuations of skin conductance per second correlates with postoperative pain. The aim of this prospective study was to test the cut‐off value for the number of fluctuations of skin conductance per second obtained from a previous study. Seventy‐five patients were asked to quantify their level of pain on a numeric rating scale (0–10) in the recovery room. The number of fluctuations of skin conductance per second was recorded simultaneously. The number of fluctuations of skin conductance per second was different between patients with no (0.07), mild (0.16), moderate (0.28) and severe pain (0.33); p < 0.001. The tested cut‐off value for the number of fluctuations of skin conductance per second (0.1) distinguished a numeric rating scale ≤ 3 from > 3 with 88.5% sensitivity and 67.7% specificity. The number of fluctuations of skin conductance per second may be a useful means of assessing postoperative pain.
Ultrasound‐guided training in the performance of brachial plexus block by the posterior approach: an observational study
Authors: Van Geffen G. J. , Rettig H. C. , Koornwinder T. , Renes S. , Gielen M. J. M.
Published: September 2007

The application of ultrasonography in guiding and controlling the path of the stimulating needle to the brachial plexus via the posterior approach (Pippa technique) was studied. In 21 ASA physical status 1 and 2 patients, scheduled for surgery of the shoulder or upper arm, needle insertion was monitored by ultrasonography and the interaction between needle, surrounding structures and brachial plexus was followed. During injection, the spread of local anaesthetic was visualised and a prediction of block success was made. One failure was predicted. Complete block was achieved in 20 (95%) patients. One potential complication, puncture of the carotid artery, was prevented using ultrasound. Ultrasound is a useful tool in the training and performance of a neurostimulation‐guided brachial plexus block by the posterior approach. Ultrasonographic guidance may prevent serious complications associated with this approach to the brachial plexus.
Autonomic dysfunction in tetanus – what lessons can be learnt with specific reference to alpha‐2 agonists?
Authors: Freshwater‐Turner D. , Udy A. , Lipman J. , Deans R. , Stuart J. , Boots R. , Hegde R. , McWhinney B. C.
Published: September 2007

Severe tetanus is seen infrequently in the developed world, but often requires intensive care support. Mechanical ventilation with neuromuscular blockade and heavy sedation, good wound care and prompt administration of antitoxin are important. The management of autonomic dysfunction remains challenging. We measured serum catecholamine levels in a patient with severe tetanus in whom autonomic crises were a major and persistent feature, and investigated the impact of sedatives plus α2‐agonists on these levels. Serum adrenaline levels were elevated up to 100‐fold with clinically observed crises, although noradrenaline levels were much more difficult to interpret. There was no appreciable difference in catecholamine levels following administration of α2‐agonists in the doses we used, although clonidine did allow easier control of crises with other agents. This case highlights some important lessons in the management of severe tetanus.
Inhibition of a pacemaker during nerve stimulation for regional anaesthesia*
Authors: Engelhardt L. , Große J. , Birnbaum J. , Volk T.
Published: September 2007

Electromagnetic interference is an important cause of pacemaker malfunction. We describe a case in which the use of a peripheral nerve stimulator at a pulse duration of 1 ms and a current of 1.4 mA led to complete but transient inhibition of a permanent pacemaker in a 73‐year‐old female who had undergone a total shoulder replacement.
Enhanced osteopontin expression in a murine model of allergen‐induced airway remodelling
Authors: Kohan M. , Bader R. , Puxeddu I. , Levi‐Schaffer F. , Breuer R. , Berkman N.
Published: September 2007

Background
Airway remodelling is a central pathophysiological feature of chronic asthma. A wide variety of cytokines and growth factors are likely to be involved in the development of airway remodelling. Osteopontin (OPN) is a cytokine with pro‐fibrotic properties; however, its role in airway remodelling in asthma has not been explored.

Objective
To determine the expression and cellular sources of OPN in a murine model of chronic allergen‐induced airway remodelling.

Methods
BALB/c mice were sensitized and exposed to ovalbumin (OVA) or saline inhalations for 5 weeks and killed 24 h after the last inhalation. The following parameters of inflammation and remodelling were assessed: differential cell counts in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid lung collagen content (colorimetric biochemical assay) and peribronchial smooth muscle content (immunohistochemistry, followed by image analysis). OPN expression in BAL and lung tissue was determined by PCR and ELISA. The cellular source and distribution of OPN were evaluated by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence.

Results
OPN expression is up‐regulated in lung tissue and in BAL fluid of OVA‐treated mice and correlates with collagen content and peribronchial smooth muscle area. In addition, OPN significantly increases collagen deposition in vitro in a murine lung cell line. Cells producing OPN include the airway epithelium and cells of the submucosal inflammatory infiltrate (T cells, eosinophils, and macrophages). Positive staining for OPN was also observed in bronchial tissue from human asthmatic subjects.

Conclusion
OPN expression in the lungs is increased in a murine model of allergen‐induced chronic airway remodelling, suggesting a role for this cytokine in airway remodelling in asthma.
Divergent differentiation in malignant melanomas: a review
Authors: Banerjee S S , Eyden B
Published: September 2007

The aim of this review was to document and discuss diagnostic problems associated with divergent differentiation (‘metaplastic change’) in malignant melanomas, defined as the development in these tumours of morphologically, immunohistochemically and/or ultrastructurally recognizable non‐melanocytic cell or tissue components. Types of divergent differentiation reported in malignant melanoma include: fibroblastic/myofibroblastic, Schwannian and perineurial, smooth muscle, rhabdomyosarcomatous, osteocartilaginous, ganglionic and ganglioneuroblastic, neuroendocrine and probable epithelial. Divergent differentiation is certainly a rare phenomenon and, when it occurs, can be missed by unwary pathologists and lead to diagnostic uncertainty. A carefully chosen immunohistochemical panel and the input of electron microscopy can help to clarify the nature of the cellular differentiation of these tumours and lead to a correct final diagnosis. The clinical significance of such aberrations is uncertain, nor are the underlying mechanisms as yet well defined.
Toll‐like receptors and immune regulation: their direct and indirect modulation on regulatory CD4+ CD25+ T cells
Authors: Liu Guangwei , Zhao Yong
Published: September 2007

Regulatory CD4+ CD25+ T (Treg) cells with the ability to suppress host immune responses against self‐ or non‐self antigens play important roles in the processes of autoimmunity, transplant rejection, infectious diseases and cancers. The proper regulation of CD4+ CD25+ Treg cells is thus critical for optimal immune responses. Toll‐like receptor (TLR)‐mediated recognition of specific structures of invading pathogens initiates innate as well as adaptive immune responses via antigen‐presenting cells (APCs). Interestingly, new evidence suggests that TLR signalling may directly or indirectly regulate the immunosuppressive function of CD4+ CD25+ Treg cells in immune responses. TLR signalling may shift the balance between CD4+ T‐helper cells and Treg cells, and subsequently influence the outcome of the immune response. This immunomodulation pathway may therefore have potential applications in the treatment of graft rejection, autoimmune diseases, infection diseases and cancers.
Effect of warm‐rearing and heat acclimation on pituitary‐gonadal axis in male rats
Authors: Kurowicka B. , Gajewska A. , Amarowicz R. , Kotwica G.
Published: September 2007

Plasma gonadotrophic and testicular hormones concentrations in both immature and adult male rats exposed to 34 °C of ambient temperature were determined. In vitro steroidogenic ability of interstitial cells from experimental rats was also studied. Four groups of rats (n = 45) were used. Warm‐reared (WR) males were housed in 34 °C and control‐reared rats in 20 °C from birth to adulthood. The other groups were acclimated to 34 °C [warm‐acclimated (WA) group] or 20 °C [deacclimated (DA) group] as adults. Decreased body weight and testis weight (p < 0.05) was found in heat‐exposed groups, but relative testis weight was unchanged in WA and increased (p < 0.05) in WR and DA males. Plasma luteinizing hormone (LH) concentration increased in WA and DA males. Increased (p < 0.05) follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH) and prolactin plasma levels were found in DA and WR groups respectively. WA males had decreased testosterone (T) and WR rats androstenedione (A4) plasma concentration (p < 0.05). Interstitial cells (43% of them were Leydig cells by 3β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity) from heat‐exposed males secreted less (p < 0.05) T compared with the control group when incubated without LH (basal conditions). Androstenedione secretion decreased (p < 0.05) in WA rats. Secretion of estradiol‐17β (E2) was higher in WR and lower in DA cells under basal conditions. Weaker responsiveness to LH was observed in WR cells. Androgen synthesis from pregnenolone by interstitial cells increased (p < 0.05) in the WA group. We concluded that heat exposure of neonatal and adult male rats caused different pituitary‐testicular axis adjustments. It seemed that long‐term heat exposure of neonatal rats is less deleterious concerning the activity of pituitary‐testicular axis than heat acclimation of adults.
Subfertility among parents of men diagnosed with testicular cancer
Authors: Aschim Elin L. , Haugen Trine B. , Tretli Steinar , Grotmol Tom
Published: September 2007

It is well known that men with testicular cancer also have reduced fertility before diagnosis. It is unclear, however, whether their parents also have reduced fertility. We performed a population‐based record linkage study comparing parental fertility among 3711 testicular cancer cases and 371 100 control males. The cases were diagnosed from 1961 to 2001, and the data were analysed by logistic regression. Included indicators of parental fertility were number of children, rate of unlike‐sex twins as a proxy for dizygotic twinning rate, and proportion of boys. The number of children was reduced across increasing sibship size among both mothers [odds ratio (OR) = 0.95, p(trend) = 0.003] and fathers [OR = 0.97, p(trend) = 0.057] of subjects with testicular cancer. The proportion of unlike‐sex twins was also reduced among their mothers [(OR = 0.56, p = 0.049 (adjusted for year of birth)] and fathers [(OR = 0.56, p = 0.049 (adjusted for year of birth)]. The results were only marginally changed when also adjusting for respective parental age. Our study indicates that parents of testicular cancer cases have reduced fertility. This suggests that genetic factors are important in the association between testicular cancer and reduced fertility.
Evolutionary and biogeographical patterns within the smelt genusHypomesusin the North Pacific Ocean
Authors: Ilves Katriina L. , Taylor Eric B.
Published: September 2007

Aim We address questions about trans‐Pacific distributions of marine organisms and the North Pacific Ocean as a centre of marine biodiversity through a phylogenetic and biogeographical study of a pan‐Pacific genus of Northern Hemisphere smelts (Hypomesus, Pisces: Osmeridae).

Location North Pacific Ocean.

Methods Relationships of the five species ofHypomesusfrom throughout the North Pacific were reconstructed through maximum likelihood and Bayesian phylogenetic analyses of sequence data from two mitochondrial (cytb, 16S) and three nuclear (ITS2, S71, RAG1) gene regions of five to 25 individuals per species, totalling 3588 characters. The resulting phylogenies were used to test hypotheses of species relationships and geographical origins using both dispersal‐based and maximum likelihood methods for inferring ancestral areas (lagrange). Cytbsequence divergence and a Bayesian approach (beast) were used to estimate the timeframe ofHypomesusevolution, which was compared with work on similarly distributed taxa.

Results Hypothesized trans‐Pacific Ocean relationships based on lateral line scale counts were not supported by the phylogeny, suggesting parallel evolution of this phenotype, although we found one such relationship between the westernH. japonicusand the two eastern Pacific species (H. pretiosusandH. transpacificus). Dispersalist approaches rejected an early proposal of a double‐compression vicariant mechanism as well as an eastern Pacific origin. Results from thelagrangeanalysis suggested a more widespread ancestor, although also supporting a role for the western Pacific. Divergence estimates suggested that most splits between species occurred in the mid‐Miocene, and the most recent speciation event, between the eastern Pacific species, occurred in the Pliocene to early Pleistocene.

Main conclusions Our molecular data indicate that the character historically used to define relationships withinHypomesus, lateral line scale count, does not reflect ancestry within the genus. Biogeographical reconstructions suggest an important role for the western North Pacific in the diversification ofHypomesus. While uncertainty remains over the date of origin for this genus, estimates place the divergences during periods of climatic cooling that have been important in generating diversity in a number of similarly distributed organisms. Additional comparative data will provide further insight into the relative importance of the western region in generating diversity in the North Pacific Ocean.
Hepatic steatosis in chronic hepatitis C: baseline host and viral characteristics and influence on response to therapy with peginterferon α‐2a plus ribavirin
Authors: Reddy K. R. , Govindarajan S. , Marcellin P. , Bernstein D. , Dienstag J. L. , Bodenheimer H. , Rakela J. , Messinger D. , Schmidt G. , Ackrill A. , Hadziyannis S. J.
Published: September 2007

Summary.  Hepatic steatosis is common in hepatitis C virus (HCV)‐infected patients and may be associated with the metabolic syndrome. We studied steatosis in patients treated with peginterferonα‐2a plus ribavirin. Forty‐five of 207 patients (22%) had >5% hepatic steatosis at baseline. Significantly more patients with steatosis than without were HCV genotype 3 (51%vs 14%; P < 0.0001) had higher HCV‐RNA (P = 0.0045), body weight (P = 0.0176), body mass index (BMI, P = 0.0352) and serum triglycerides (TG) (P = 0.0364), hypertriglyceridaemia (P = 0.0009), elevated blood pressure/history of hypertension (P = 0.0229) and lower cholesterol (P = 0.0009). Significant steatosis predictors were genotype 3 (OR 9.04, 95% CI 3.85–21.21, P < 0.0001), HCV‐RNA (OR 2.96, 1.49–5.88, P = 0.0019) and triglycerides (OR 1.06, 1.02–1.11, P = 0.0071). In genotype 3 patients, HCV‐RNA was the only significant predictor (OR 11.15, 2.60–47.81, P = 0.0012). In non‐genotype 3 patients, hypertriglyceridaemia was the only significant predictor (OR 1.07, 1.02–1.12, P = 0.0041). 134 of 207 patients (65%) achieved an sustained virological response (SVR) with peginterferon α‐2a plus ribavirin, similar to the overall response rate. In genotype 3 patients with an SVR, steatosis decreased from 48% to 13% (baseline to end‐point). No change was seen in the steatosis rate in non‐genotype 3 patients with an SVR. This large and comprehensive analysis of a large data base from a multinational trial further adds to the observations that chronic HCV is associated with hepatic steatosis in approximately a fifth of patients. Further, features of the metabolic syndrome are associated with hepatic steatosis in most of these patients. Steatosis is significantly more common in genotype 3 compared with other genotypes, and in these patients, an SVR is associated with steatosis clearance.
Effect of water on germination of Plasmopara viticola oospores
Authors: Rossi V. , Caffi T.
Published: September 2007

The effect of moisture in grape leaf litter holding overwintering Plasmopara viticola oospores was investigated. Oospores were incubated under different regimes of water activity (aW 0·991 to 0·123) for 2 to 15 days and their ability to germinate and cause infection was determined using a sensitive leaf disk assay. Reduction of aW caused a significant shift in the infection dynamics, with maximum effect when aW ≤ 0·56. Dynamics of aW in the leaf litter under natural conditions were estimated from moisture data using a Chen‐Clayton equation. Daily patterns of leaf litter moisture (M in % weight) were determined in non rainy periods between mid February and mid June, while the Chen‐Clayton equation was calculated using data of aW and M measured in both sorption and desorption conditions, at different temperatures. Water activity was highest at 08·00 hours, decreased progressively until 14·00 hours, and then increased. Water activity was favourable for oospores to develop in about 25% of the measurements, all made between 18·00 hours and 08·00 hours. A close relationship was found between vapour pressure deficit (VPD in hPa) and aW of the leaf litter, so that when VPD is lower than 2·13 hPa there is sufficient water for oospores to develop. Results showed that leaf litter moisture due to water from the atmosphere makes oospore development possible during non rainy periods.
Development of a specific assay using RISA for detection of the bacterial agent of ‘basses richesses’ syndrome of sugar beet and confirmation of a Pentastiridius sp. (Fulgoromopha, Cixiidae) as the economic vector
Authors: Sémétey O. , Bressan A. , Gatineau F. , Boudon‐Padieu E.
Published: September 2007

A technique for the specific diagnosis in insects of SBRp (the γ‐3 proteobacterium associated with the syndrome ‘basses richesses’ (SBR) of sugar beet crops in eastern France), using the RISA (rDNA intergenic spacer analysis) technique, was developed. PCR using the Alb1/Oliv1 primer pair specifically amplified a 16S‐ITS region of SBRp and produced a characteristic DNA fingerprint. This PCR assay did not detect other closely related organisms, including the Arsenophonus endosymbiont of Diaphorina citri, the secondary endosymbiont of Glycaspis brimblecombei, or ‘Candidatus Phlomobacter fragariae’, a related phytopathogenic γ‐3 proteobacterium. Six different ribosomal operons, differing in their ITS region or partial 16S sequence, were identified in SBRp. PCR amplification with Alb1/Oliv1 of DNA samples from Hemiptera species (suborders Fulgoromorpha and Cicadomorpha) collected in sugar beet fields confirmed Pentastiridius sp. as the economic vector of SBR disease. The high percentage of field‐Pentastiridius sp. specimens which tested positive for SBRp reflected the importance of SBR disease in sugar beet crops. This is the first time that the RISA technique has been used as a diagnostic test for a plant pathogenic bacterium in insects.
First cosmic ray exposure dating (in situ produced 10Be) of the late pleistocene and holocene glaciation in the Nanhutashan Mountains (Taiwan)
Authors: Carcaillet J. , Siame L. L. , Chu H.‐T. , Bourlès D. L. , Lu W.‐C. , Angelier J. , Dussouillez P.
Published: September 2007

In Taiwan, efficient climate‐driven strong erosion processes are the leading cause for low preservation of geomorphic landforms. Despite the absence of present‐day glaciers, glacial relicts have been reported in high altitude areas. These scarce landforms provide opportunities for reconstructing the timing of the last deglaciation in a region where glacial history is poorly documented. We have collected boulders and striated bedrocks in the Nanhutashan area and calculated surface exposure ages based on in‐situ produced 10Be concentrations. The oldest glacial remains, dated at 11.1 ± 3.3 ka, correspond to the last glacial advance. The Holocene is characterized by a continuous retreat of the ice‐cap until at least 7.2 ± 1.0 ka. Our results are in agreement with a scenario where changes of monsoon regimes lead to a strong reduction of the winter monsoon during the early Holocene, causing a decrease of snow supply and disequilibrium of the hydrological budget.
Structure of earthquake occurrence in space, time and magnitude
Authors: Corral Álvaro
Published: September 2007

Distributions of time between consecutive earthquakes verify an approximately universal scaling law for stationary seismicity. The shape of these distributions is shown to arise as a mixture of one distribution for short‐distance events and an exponential distribution for far‐off events, the distinction from short and long distances being relative to the size of the region studied. The distributions of consecutive distances show a double power law decay and verify an approximate scaling law which guarantees the simultaneous fulfillment of the scaling laws for time. The interplay between space and time can be seen as well by looking at the distribution of distances for a fixed time separation. These results suggest that seismicity can be understood as a series of intertwined independent continuous‐time random walks, with power law‐distributed waiting times and Lévy‐flight jumps. However, a simple model based on these ideas does not capture the invariance of seismicity under renormalization.
Particle shape evolution in natural carbonate granular wear material
Authors: Storti Fabrizio , Balsamo Fabrizio , Salvini Francesco
Published: September 2007

A fundamental yet still unresolved puzzle provided by cataclasis is whether particle size reduction mostly progresses through time by the same fragmentation mechanism or not. Available field, laboratory and numerical modelling results on the evolution of cataclastic rocks are still controversial. The evidence that cataclastic rocks exert a primary control on the frictional strength, stability, seismic velocity and permeability properties of fault zones encourages further research on cataclasis. Here, we report data on particle shape from natural cataclastic rocks in poorly layered carbonates in the Apulian foreland of the Southern Apennines of Italy. Particle shape analyses show that particle angularity decreases with increasing size and, for a given size class, it decreases with increasing fractal dimension of the particle size distribution. These results offer support to the temporally and spatially variable nature of rock comminution.
The calcium sensor CBL10 mediates salt tolerance by regulating ion homeostasis in Arabidopsis
Authors: Kim Beom‐Gi , Waadt Rainer , Cheong Yong Hwa , Pandey Girdhar K. , Dominguez‐Solis Jose R. , Schültke Stefanie , Lee Sung Chul , Kudla Jörg , Luan Sheng
Published: September 2007

Calcium serves as a critical messenger in many adaptation and developmental processes. Cellular calcium signals are detected and transmitted by sensor molecules such as calcium‐binding proteins. In plants, the calcineurin B‐like protein (CBL) family represents a unique group of calcium sensors and plays a key role in decoding calcium transients by specifically interacting with and regulating a family of protein kinases (CIPKs). We report here that the CBL protein CBL10 functions as a crucial regulator of salt tolerance in Arabidopsis. Cbl10 mutant plants exhibited significant growth defects and showed hypersensitive cell death in leaf tissues under high‐salt conditions. Interestingly, the Na+ content of the cbl10 mutant, unlike other salt‐sensitive mutants identified thus far, was significantly lower than in the wild type under either normal or high‐salt conditions, suggesting that CBL10 mediates a novel Ca2+‐signaling pathway for salt tolerance. Indeed, the CBL10 protein physically interacts with the salt‐tolerance factor CIPK24 (SOS2), and the CBL10–CIPK24 (SOS2) complex is associated with the vacuolar compartments that are responsible for salt storage and detoxification in plant cells. These findings suggest that CBL10 and CIPK24 (SOS2) constitute a novel salt‐tolerance pathway that regulates the sequestration/compartmentalization of Na+ in plant cells. Because CIPK24 (SOS2) also interacts with CBL4 (SOS3) and regulates salt export across the plasma membrane, our study identifies CIPK24 (SOS2) as a multi‐functional protein kinase that regulates different aspects of salt tolerance by interacting with distinct CBL calcium sensors.
Cross‐talk between gibberellin and auxin in development of Populus wood: gibberellin stimulates polar auxin transport and has a common transcriptome with auxin
Authors: Björklund Simon , Antti Henrik , Uddestrand Ida , Moritz Thomas , Sundberg Björn
Published: September 2007

Both indole acetic acid (IAA) and gibberellins (GAs) stimulate cell and organ growth. We have examined GA/IAA cross‐talk in cambial growth of hybrid aspen (Populus tremula×tremuloides). Decapitated trees were fed with IAA and GA, alone and in combination. Endogenous hormone levels after feeding were measured, by mass spectrometry, in the stem tissues below the point of application. These stem tissues with defined hormone balances were also used for global transcriptome analysis, and the abundance of selected transcripts was measured by real‐time reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction. By feeding isotope‐labeled IAA, we demonstrated that GA increases auxin levels in the stem by stimulating polar auxin transport. This finding adds a new dimension to the concept that the endogenous GA/IAA balance in plants is determined by cross‐talk between the two hormones. We also show that GA has a common transcriptome with auxin, including many transcripts related to cell growth. This finding provides molecular support to physiological experiments demonstrating that either hormone can induce growth if the other hormone is absent/deficient because of mutations or experimental treatments. It also highlights the potential for extensive cross‐talk between GA‐ and auxin‐induced responses in vegetative growth of the intact plant. The role of endogenous IAA and GA in wood development is discussed.
Identification of a plastid intercistronic expression element (IEE) facilitating the expression of stable translatable monocistronic mRNAs from operons
Authors: Zhou Fei , Karcher Daniel , Bock Ralph
Published: September 2007

Most plastid genes are part of operons and expressed as polycistronic mRNAs. Many primary polycistronic transcripts undergo post‐transcriptional processing in monocistronic or oligocistronic units. At least some polycistronic transcripts are not translatable, and endonucleolytic processing may therefore be a prerequisite for translation to occur. As the requirements for intercistronic mRNA processing into stable monocistronic transcript are not well understood, we have sought to define minimum sequence elements that trigger processing and thus are capable of generating stable translatable monocistronic mRNAs. We describe here the in vivo identification of a small intercistronic expression element that mediates intercistronic cleavage into stable monocistronic transcripts. Separation of foreign genes by this element facilitates transgene stacking in operons, and thus will help to expand the range of applications of transplastomic technology.
Malassezia slooffiae‐associated dermatitis in a goat
Authors: Uzal Francisco A. , Paulson Deborah , Eigenheer Andrea L. , Walker Richard L.
Published: September 2007

An adult male Pygmy goat with a history of losing hair and declining body condition was euthanized, and a complete diagnostic work‐up was performed. The animal showed diffuse alopecia on the dorsal and lateral sides of thorax and abdomen, proximal legs, neck and face. Histology revealed diffuse orthokeratotic hyperkeratosis, epidermal hyperplasia and perivascular dermatitis. Broad‐based budding yeasts and hyphae were visible in the keratin layer. Malassezia slooffiae was identified in the skin by polymerase chain reaction amplification of part of the large subunit rRNA gene using broad‐range fungal primers and DNA sequencing. This is the first report of M. slooffiae‐associated dermatitis in goats.
In vivo long‐term effects of retinoic acid exposure in utero on induced hyperplastic epidermal foci in murine skin
Authors: García‐Fernández Rosa A. , Pérez‐Martínez Claudia , Espinosa‐Álvarez Javier , García‐Iglesias Maria J.
Published: September 2007

Adult Naval Medical Research Institute (NMRI) mice, after prenatal exposure to retinoic acid (RA), were treated with a standard two‐stage skin carcinogenesis regime to characterize hyperplastic epidermal foci that precede the appearance of cutaneous papillomas, and to investigate the in vivo long‐term action of RA on adult mouse skin treated with DMBA (7,12 dimethyl benz[a]anthracene) and TPA (12‐O‐tetradecanoylphorbol 13‐acetate). The results demonstrate that RA administered to pregnant mice had a long‐term inhibitory action on the cell differentiation and development of hyperplastic lesions occurring prior to cancer on the adult skin of their offspring as well as a stimulatory effect on cell proliferation of these hyperplastic lesions.
Proliferative and necrotizing otitis externa in four cats
Authors: Mauldin Elizabeth A. , Ness Timothy A. , Goldschmidt Michael H
Published: September 2007

Proliferative and necrotizing feline otitis externa is a rare disorder of unknown aetiology. This condition was diagnosed by skin biopsy in three adult domestic shorthair cats (3–5 years old) and one kitten (6 months old). The affected cats had large tan to dark brown‐black coalescing plaques covering the concave surface of the pinnae and external ear canals. Friable material from the plaques and a thick exudate occluded the ear canals. The cats had a secondary bacterial and/or yeast otitis. Prior to the histopathological diagnosis, all cats received numerous otic preparations as well as oral antibiotics and corticosteroids without resolution. Histologically, all cases had strikingly similar changes; acanthosis with pronounced hair follicle outer root sheath hyperplasia and neutrophilic luminal folliculitis, follicular keratosis and individually necrotic keratinocytes in the outer root sheath of hair follicles. One case was documented via skin biopsy to have persisted for 4 years. The adult cats were treated with topical 0.1% tacrolimus and all showed marked improvement although one cat was lost to follow up. The lesions completely resolved with topical tacrolimus alone in one cat and topical tacrolimus in addition to oral prednisolone in another cat.
Cutaneous reactive histiocytosis in dogs: a retrospective evaluation of 32 cases
Authors: Palmeiro Brian S. , Morris Daniel O. , Goldschmidt Michael H. , Mauldin Elizabeth A.
Published: September 2007

Thirty‐two cases of canine cutaneous histiocytosis were retrospectively evaluated. Median age at onset was 4 years. Lesions included nodules and plaques affecting the head/face, trunk and limbs, and erythema, swelling and depigmentation of the nasal planum/nares. Systemic involvement was not ruled out in all cases. All dogs had complete resolution of dermatological lesions after initial treatment (median 45 days). Initial treatment included prednisone +/– antibiotics (12 of 32 dogs), prednisone and tetracycline/niacinamide (four of 32), prednisone and azathioprine (three of 32), tetracycline/niacinamide +/– vitamin E/essential fatty acids (six of 32), antibiotics +/– antihistamines (three of 32), cyclosporine and ketoconazole (one of 32), topical therapy (two of 32), and no treatment (one of 32). Seventeen dogs received maintenance therapy which consisted of tetracycline/niacinamide +/– vitamin E/essential fatty acids (12 of 17), cyclosporine/ketoconazole (two to three times a week) (two of 17), azathioprine daily (one of 17), prednisone/azathioprine (two times a week) (one of 17), and prednisone daily (one of 17). Median follow up was 25 months. Nine dogs had a recurrence of cutaneous histiocytosis (median days to recurrence 130 days), with seven of nine having more than one recurrence. At study completion, six dogs were deceased (no lesions at the time of death) and 26 of 32 were alive with no lesions. Ten of 26 dogs were on maintenance treatment (eight tetracycline/niacinamide, one azathioprine, one vitamin E). Previous dermatological disease and season had no detectable influence on recurrence. Recurrence was significantly more likely in dogs with nasal planum/nares lesions than dogs without these lesions. Tetracycline/niacinamide was an effective treatment option for dogs in this study population.
Development of an owner‐assessed scale to measure the severity of pruritus in dogs
Authors: Hill P. B. , Lau P. , Rybnicek J.
Published: September 2007

Assessment of pruritus is critical in dermatological history taking, both for initial diagnosis and for monitoring treatment. Various methods of assessing pruritus in the dog have been described but none have been validated. In this study, four different pruritus scales were initially assessed: a 0–5 numerical scale; a scale containing six categories of pruritic behaviours; a scale with six basic descriptors of severity; and a visual analogue scale with severity descriptions at either end. One hundred and sixteen owners were asked to grade their dog's pruritus with each of the four scales given to them in a randomized order, and asked which they thought was easiest to use, which was most accurate in assessing their dog's pruritus level, and which two scales they would combine to make a superior scale. Pruritus scores from different scales were highly correlated with each other, but scores were significantly higher with the severity and numerical scales compared to the behaviour scale. Based on the clients’ responses, a new scale was developed that combined features of the behaviour and severity‐based scales with the visual analogue scale. When tested on 166 different owners, 98% thought it was easy to use and accurate in assessing their dog's pruritus level. In 44 dogs, independent scores obtained by two owners were highly correlated (R = 0.8; P < 0.0001), confirming the scale's repeatability. The new scale proved to be an easy and repeatable method for owners to determine the severity of pruritus in their dog.
A case–control study of risk factors for canine atopic dermatitis among boxer, bullterrier and West Highland white terrier dogs in Sweden
Authors: Nødtvedt Ane , Bergvall Kerstin , Sallander Marie , Egenvall Agneta , Emanuelson Ulf , Hedhammar Åke
Published: September 2007

Environmental and dietary risk factors for the development of canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) in the high‐risk breeds of boxer, bullterrier and West Highland white terrier were assessed in a case–control study. A logistic regression model was developed to evaluate their relative importance in 58 cases from 12 practices in Sweden and 61 unaffected controls, matched to cases by breed and year of birth. The final model included a random error term for ‘examining veterinarian’, as dogs from the same practice were not considered independent. No effect of gender, season of birth, environment, vaccination or de‐worming practices on the odds of developing CAD was detected. The main finding was that feeding a diet including noncommercial products to the bitch during lactation had a protective effect on the development of CAD in her offspring; the odds of developing CAD were twice as high among offspring from bitches that were not exposed to home‐made/noncommercial diets [95% confidence interval (CI) of the odds ratio: 1.2–3.8]. The population attributable fraction for not feeding home‐made diets to the lactating bitch was estimated as 0.4 (95% CI: 0.04–0.63). Randomized controlled clinical trials are needed to further support the finding of a potential protective role of diet in CAD development.
Public trust in the Spanish health‐care system
Authors: Jovell Albert , Blendon Robert J. , Navarro Maria Dolors , Fleischfresser Channtal , Benson John M. , DesRoches Catherine M. , Weldon Kathleen J.
Published: September 2007

Background  Fifteen years ago, public opinion surveys in Spain showed substantial dissatisfaction with the health‐care system. Since that time, health‐care in Spain has undergone significant changes, including a decentralization of the system, an increase in spending and a change in the way the system is financed.

Objective  This study examines how Spanish citizens rate the performance of their health system today, both as compared with other sectors of society and as compared with earlier time periods.

Methods  Data are drawn from nationally representative telephone surveys of the non‐institutionalized adult Spanish population (age 18 years and over). The study was carried out in two phases: October–November 2005 (n = 3010) and January 2006 (n = 2101).

Results  The majority of the Spanish population thinks the health system needs to be changed. The problems cited relate mostly to long wait times to get health‐care. Nevertheless, over the last 15 years, the proportion of people who have very negative views about the health system has decreased by half. The majority believes that not enough money is spent on health‐care, but few people would support an increase in taxes to provide additional funding. The survey finds the National Health System’s institutions and health professionals to be more highly trusted than other institutions and professional groups in the country.

Conclusions  Government policy‐makers in Spain face a dilemma: the public wants more health spending to decrease wait times, but there is substantial resistance to increasing taxes as a means to finance improvements in the system’s capacity.
The link between the epidemics of obesity and allergic diseases: does obesity induce decreased immune tolerance?
Authors: Hersoug L.‐G. , Linneberg A.
Published: September 2007

There is increasing epidemiological evidence that obesity increases the risk of asthma, atopic, and autoimmune diseases. We hypothesize that the increase in these diseases is caused, at least in part, by decreased immunological tolerance as a consequence of immunological changes induced by adipokines (e.g. leptin and adiponectin) and cytokines [e.g. interleukin 6 (IL6) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα)] secreted by white adipose tissue. The increasing body weight increases the levels of circulating IL6, leptin, and TNFα. IL6 and leptin down‐regulate the activity of regulatory T‐lymphocytes (Tregs). Additionally, adiponectin, which decreases with increasing obesity, down‐regulates the secretion of IL10 from macrophages and adipocytes. These changes in IL6, leptin, and IL10 decrease the regulatory effect of Tregs resulting in decreased immunological tolerance to antigens. In pregnant women, these obesity‐induced immunological changes might be transmitted to the fetus by epigenetic inheritance thereby increasing the risk of atopic disease. We propose that obesity results in immunological changes resulting in decreased immunological tolerance to antigens and skewing of the immune system towards a Th2 cytokine profile increasing the risk of allergy and other immune‐mediated diseases. Furthermore, this hypothesis offers a unifying explanation for the observation that older siblings appear to confer protection against atopic diseases, preeclampsia, and certain autoimmune diseases. More studies are definitely needed to explore further the immunological effects of obesity and its possible effects on allergic disease.