bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Distortionary Taxation, Debt, and the Price Level
Authors: SCHABERT ANDREAS , VON THADDEN LEOPOLD
Published: January 2009

This paper compares the determinacy of equilibria under exogenous interest rates in an economy with a cash constraint, in which taxation is lump‐sum or distortionary. Under passive fiscal policies lump‐sum taxes generate nominal indeterminacy, while with distortionary taxes indeterminacy can be real, but not purely nominal. In general, under distortionary taxation uniqueness of the equilibrium allocation depends on monetary and fiscal policy interactions through taxes, debt, and interest rates. To illustrate this principle, we consider balanced‐budget policies under distortionary income taxation and show that a unique equilibrium allocation prevails if interest rates are set consistent with long‐run deflation. A separate section extends the analysis to endogenous interest rates.
Multiple BGPs in a Growth Model with Habit Persistence: A Comment
Authors: TOCHE PATRICK
Published: January 2009

Recently in this journal, Chen (2007) analyzes a model of an economy without distortions in which rational forward‐looking households care about how their current consumption compares with their own past consumption. Chen claims the existence of two saddle‐point stable balanced growth paths. In this comment, I show that the claim is incorrect. There is a unique saddle‐point stable balanced growth path and no global indeterminacy.
The Transmission of International Shocks: A Factor‐Augmented VAR Approach
Authors: MUMTAZ HAROON , SURICO PAOLO
Published: January 2009

The empirical literature on the transmission of international shocks is based on small‐scale VARs. In this paper, we use a large panel of data for 17 industrialized countries to investigate the international transmission mechanism, and revisit the anomalies that arise in the empirical literature. We propose a factor augmented VAR (FAVAR) that extends the model in Bernanke, Boivin, and Eliasz (2005) to the open economy. The main results can be summarized as follows. First, the dynamic effects on the UK economy of an unanticipated fall of short‐term interest rates in the rest of the world are: real house price inflation, investment, GDP and consumption growth peak after 1 year, wages peak after 2 years, and CPI and GDP deflator inflation peak during the third year. Second, a positive international supply shock makes the distribution of the components of the UK consumption deflator negatively skewed. Third, in response to a domestic monetary shock, we find little evidence of the exchange rate and liquidity puzzles and little evidence of the forward discount and price anomalies.
Price Stability with Imperfect Financial Integration
Authors: BENIGNO PIERPAOLO
Published: January 2009

This paper studies whether the international monetary system can be affected by asymmetries in the cross‐country positions in the international financial markets, i.e., the fact that some countries are large debtors while others are creditors. An important channel that is explored is the interaction between international risk sharing and the stabilization role of monetary policy in each country. The main finding is that the welfare costs of incomplete markets and the gains of deviating from a policy of price stability are increasing with the cross‐country asymmetries in the initial net international positions and in particular they become nonnegligible when the persistence of the shocks increases (1% of a permanent shift in steady‐state consumption, for the welfare costs of incomplete markets, and 0.2%, for the gains of deviating from a policy of price stability). When global imbalances become larger, optimal monetary policy requires an increase in the volatilities of the real returns on assets and in particular of the nominal interest rates, which should happen to be more correlated across countries.
Globalization, Macroeconomic Performance, and Monetary Policy
Authors: MISHKIN FREDERIC S.
Published: January 2009

The paper argues that many of the exaggerated claims that globalization has been an important factor in lowering inflation in recent years just do not hold up. Globalization does, however, have the potential to be stabilizing for individual economies and has been a key factor in promoting economic growth. The paper then examines four questions about the impact of globalization on the monetary transmission mechanism and arrives at the following answers: (i) Has globalization led to a decline in the sensitivity of inflation to domestic output gaps and thus to domestic monetary policy? No. (ii) Are foreign output gaps playing a more prominent role in the domestic inflation process, so that domestic monetary policy has more difficulty stabilizing inflation? No. (iii) Can domestic monetary policy still control domestic interest rates and so stabilize both inflation and output? Yes. (iv) Are there other ways, besides possible influences on inflation and interest rates, in which globalization may have affected the transmission mechanism of monetary policy? Yes.
Managing the Birth Pangs of the New Global Order
Authors: BROWN GORDON
Published: January 2009

As British Prime Minister Gordon Brown notes in this section, we are witnessing the birth pangs of a new global order in this deepest financial and economic crash since the Great Depression. There will be plenty of pain all around for a while. And when the quarter‐century leveraged‐debt bubble of the United States—the explosion of which detonated the crash—is finally unwound, the new global balance will favor an Asia flush with cash. The G‐20 will replace the G‐7 as the executive committee of globalization. And, if wise leadership stays the course, there will be a “green lining” to the recovery as the fiscal stimulus is imbued with an environmental sensibility.
Blueprint for a Green Recovery
Authors: TYSON LAURA D'ANDREA
Published: January 2009

As British Prime Minister Gordon Brown notes in this section, we are witnessing the birth pangs of a new global order in this deepest financial and economic crash since the Great Depression. There will be plenty of pain all around for a while. And when the quarter‐century leveraged‐debt bubble of the United States—the explosion of which detonated the crash—is finally unwound, the new global balance will favor an Asia flush with cash. The G‐20 will replace the G‐7 as the executive committee of globalization. And, if wise leadership stays the course, there will be a “green lining” to the recovery as the fiscal stimulus is imbued with an environmental sensibility.
If Americans Accept Obama, They Can Accept a Rising China
Authors: JISI WANG
Published: January 2009

America is more a creed than a nation. Our promise has always been that all individuals, despite race, religion or gender, have the equal chance to make it. The election of Barack Hussein Obama as president of the United States is thus a “soft power” coup for America's global image, which had lost its luster during the Bush years. Obama is the anti‐Bush who will lead by the power of example instead of the example of power. Yet, there are real limits. Can the power of example stop the North Korean or Iranian nuclear programs? Can it stop jihadists bent on establishing a new Caliphate across South Asia? Can it limit China's ambitions as the new power in Asia? In this section commentators from across the world offer their views.
Finally, Russia Sees America as It Really Is
Authors: KASPAROV GARRY
Published: January 2009

America is more a creed than a nation. Our promise has always been that all individuals, despite race, religion or gender, have the equal chance to make it. The election of Barack Hussein Obama as president of the United States is thus a “soft power” coup for America's global image, which had lost its luster during the Bush years. Obama is the anti‐Bush who will lead by the power of example instead of the example of power. Yet, there are real limits. Can the power of example stop the North Korean or Iranian nuclear programs? Can it stop jihadists bent on establishing a new Caliphate across South Asia? Can it limit China's ambitions as the new power in Asia? In this section commentators from across the world offer their views.
Sex Assessment from the Sacral Base by Means of Image Processing
Authors: Benazzi Stefano , Maestri Claudia , Parisini Simona , Vecchi Francesco , Gruppioni Giorgio
Published: January 2009

Abstract:  To help improve sex assessment from skeletal remains, the present study considers the diagnostic value of the sacral base (basis osseus sacri) based on its planar image and related metric data. For this purpose, 114 adult sacra of known sex and age from two early 20th century Italian populations were examined, the first from Bologna, northern Italy (n = 76), and the second from Sassari, Sardinia (n = 38). Digital photos of the sacral base were taken with each bone in a standardized orientation. Technical drawing software was used to trace its profile and to measure related dimensions (area, perimeter, and breadth of S1 and total breadth of the sacrum). The measurements were subjected to discriminant and classification function analyses. The sex prediction success of 93.2% for the Bolognese sample, 81.6% for the Sassarese sample, and 88.3% for the pooled sample indicates that the first sacral vertebra is a good character for sex determination.
An Analysis of Human Skeletal Remains with Cerebral Palsy: Associated Skeletal Age Delay and Dental Pathologies*
Authors: Megyesi Mary S. , Tubbs Ryan M. , Sauer Norman J.
Published: January 2009

Abstract:  In 2002 the authors were asked to examine the skeletal remains of an individual with a known history of severe cerebral palsy (CP) who was 21–23 years old at death. Skeletal age estimates of 11–15 years and dental age estimates of c. 16 years are younger than the known age of the decedent. Skeletal analysis also identified dental pathologies such as chronic tooth grinding and substantial calculus deposits. Scarce literature exists on forensic human remains cases with CP, and this study contrasts the age discrepancy and other features of this case with typical clinical characteristics of CP. A review of the CP literature suggests that delayed skeletal maturation and dental pathologies such as those observed in this case are indicative of complications related to CP. This article may alert future investigators to some of the osteological signs of CP and the probability that age indicators may be misleading.
In the Line of Fire—21st‐Century Approach to an Ancient War Injury
Authors: Frank Matthias , Rademacher Grit , Schmucker Uli , David Stephan , Ekkernkamp Axel
Published: January 2009

Abstract:  Authentic black‐powder muzzle‐loader weapons or replicas are used today primarily for re‐enactments of historic battles. A lay actor playing the role of a Prussian infantryman sustained life‐threatening gunshot injuries during a recent re‐enactment of a historic battle of the Sixth Coalition. As only blank historic muzzle‐loading weaponry was used, the origin of the missile causing the wounding was initially unclear. Further investigation revealed a ramrod that had been propelled out of the barrel of another gunner’s smooth‐bore gun as cause of injury. The ramrod was hurled on a trajectory of more than 20 m, breaking the victim’s shouldered barrel and hitting the victim resulting in severe abdominal, thoracic, and upper limb injuries. The critical incidents while handling muzzle‐loading weaponry leading to premature discharge are elucidated. Furthermore, this report demonstrates how actual diagnostics and subsequent surgical treatment enabled this infantryman to survive an injury to which his comrades‐in‐arms would have succumbed 200 years ago.
Systemic MMP inhibition for periodontal wound repair: results of a multi‐centre randomized‐controlled clinical trial
Authors: Gapski Ricardo , Hasturk Hatice , Van Dyke Thomas E. , Oringer Richard J. , Wang Shufang , Braun Thomas M. , Giannobile William V.
Published: January 2009

Aim: This multi‐centre, prospective, controlled trial was designed to examine the biological response of the matrix metalloproteinase(MMP) inhibitor subantimicrobial dose doxycycline (SDD) combined with access flap surgery on periodontal wound repair in patients with chronic severe periodontitis.

Material and Methods: Seventy subjects were enrolled into a 12‐month, randomized, placebo‐controlled, double‐masked trial to evaluate disease response to 6 months therapy and “wash‐out” of either placebo+surgery or SDD (20 mg b.i.d.)+surgery. Primary outcome measure included clinical attachment levels (CAL) and secondary outcomes included probing depth (PD), bleeding on probing (BOP), as well as gingival crevicular fluid bone marker assessment [collagen telopeptides (ICTP)]. These measurements were taken at baseline through 12 months post‐surgery and drug administration.

Results: Patients treated with SDD and surgery demonstrated stronger reductions in PD in surgically‐treated sites of 7 mm as well as gains in CAL (p<0.004). Furthermore, SDD+surgery resulted in short‐term reductions in ICTP levels compared with placebo. Rebounds in ICTP levels and clinical parameters occurred when SDD was withdrawn.

Conclusions: The results from this multi‐centre study suggests that SDD in combination with surgery improves the short‐term response of periodontal therapy by reducing PD, increasing CAL gain and inhibiting early stage bone resorption.
The effect of periodontal therapy on the survival rate and incidence of complications of multirooted teeth with furcation involvement after an observation period of at least 5 years: a systematic review
Authors: Huynh‐Ba Guy , Kuonen Patrick , Hofer Dominik , Schmid Jürg , Lang Niklaus P. , Salvi Giovanni E.
Published: January 2009

Objective: To systematically review the survival rate and incidence of complications of furcation‐involved multirooted teeth following periodontal therapy after at least 5 years.

Material and methods: Electronic and manual searches were performed up to and including January 2008. Publication selection, data extraction and validity assessment were performed independently by three reviewers.

Results: Twenty‐two publications met the inclusion criteria. Because of the heterogeneity of the data, a meta‐analysis could not be performed. The survival rate of molars treated non‐surgically was >90% after 5–9 years. The corresponding values for the different surgical procedures were:

Surgical therapy: 43.1% to 96%, observation period: 5–53 years.

Tunnelling procedures: 42.9% to 92.9%, observation period: 5–8 years.

Surgical resective procedures including amputation(s) and hemisections: 62% to 100%, observation period: 5–13 years.

Guided tissue regeneration (GTR): 83.3% to 100%, observation period: 5–12 years.

The most frequent complications included caries in the furcation area after tunnelling procedures and root fractures after root‐resective procedures.

Conclusions: Good long‐term survival rates (up to 100%) of multirooted teeth with furcation involvement were obtained following various therapeutic approaches. Initial furcation involvement (Degree I) could be successfully managed by non‐surgical mechanical debridement. Vertical root fractures and endodontic failures were the most frequent complications observed following resective procedures.
The genetic status of the violet copperLycaena helle– a relict of the cold past in times of global warming
Authors: Finger Aline , Schmitt Thomas , Emmanuel Zachos Frank , Meyer Marc , Assmann Thorsten , Christian Habel Jan
Published: January 2009

Rising temperatures and agricultural changes (intensification and succession on fallow land) during the last few decades have caused a strong decline of moist and cool sites on nutrient‐poor grasslands and species depending on these habitats. We tested the effects of habitat deterioration on a local and regional scale in such a species, the highly endangered butterflyLycaena helle, which was more widely distributed over central Europe during the postglacial period, but has recently become restricted to some remnants. We analysed five polymorphic microsatellite loci in 220 individuals sampled at ten different localities. The study sites in Germany, Luxembourg and Belgium are geographically split into three mountain regions: the Ardennes, the Eifel and the Westerwald; the latter is separated from the other two by the river Rhine. A comparatively high genetic diversity was detected in all local populations and genetic differentiation was found among the Ardennes, the Eifel and the Westerwald (FCT: 0.084). The genetic differentiation among all populations (FST: 0.137) underlines natural and anthropogenic habitat fragmentation. While ongoing gene flow seems to exist among the Eifel populations indicating the only intact metapopulation, a high genetic differentiation in the Ardennes and the Westerwald indicates a disruption of population connectivity. Our genetic data obtained on different spatial scales show the genetic consequence of long‐term isolation and should trigger necessary conservation measures at the metapopulation level.
Helicobacter pylori: longer survival in deep ground water and sea water than in a nutrient‐rich environment
Authors: KONISHI KOHEI , SAITO NAGAHITO , SHOJI ERIKO , TAKEDA HIROSHI , KATO MOTOTSUGU , ASAKA MASAHIRO , OOI HONG‐KEAN
Published: January 2009

Helicobacter pylori can infect the human stomach through the ingestion of water. Only a few studies on the morphological changes and viability of this bacteria in DGW (deep ground water) have been reported and none in natural seawater (SW). Morphological changes and the culturability of H. pylori after storage in DGW or SW for a week were examined to see if they could be a factor associated with the high infection rate in Japan. An H. pylori strain, ATCC 43504, stored in DGW and in SW at 4 °C for 7 days, was examined daily for any ultrastructural changes and culturability. The same H. pylori strain was also cultured in conventional Brucella broth culture liquid medium as control and was similarly observed. Bacteria kept in DGW and SW were found not only to retain their spiral form but also to show better culturability than those kept in the control nutrient‐rich medium (p<0.01). Thus, natural waters were found to be more conducive to H. pylori survival than a nutrient‐rich medium.
CD34‐positive interstitial cells of the human detrusor
Authors: RASMUSSEN HELLE , HANSEN ALASTAIR , SMEDTS FRANK , RUMESSEN JÜRI J. , HORN THOMAS
Published: January 2009

Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) are well described in the bowel wall. They are c‐kit positive and play a role as pacemaker cells. Similar c‐kit‐positive cells have recently been described in the human bladder. The aim of this study was to characterize interstitial cells of the bladder detrusor using a panel of antibodies directed against CD117/c‐kit, CD34, CD31, S100, tryptase, neurofilament, NSE, Factor‐VIII and GFAP. A striking finding was an interstitial type of cell which is CD34 immunoreactive (CD34‐ir) but CD117/c‐kit negative. The cells have a tentacular morphology, enveloping and intermingling with individual muscle fasicles. Morphologically and immunohistochemically, they show no neurogenic, endothelial or mast cell differentiation. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed the presence of interstitial cells with a round‐to‐oval nucleus, sparse perinuclear cytoplasm and long flattened processes, ramifying primarily in a bipolar fashion. Using immunoelectron microscopy (I‐TEM) it was possible to view CD34 gold labelling of cells corresponding to interstitial cells. Although similar CD34‐positive cells have been demonstrated in the bowel wall, they have never been described in the detrusor. The ontogeny and function of CD34‐ir, a kit‐negative cell, is unknown, but it may be involved in smooth muscle contraction.
Bone marrow histomorphology and JAK2 mutation status in essential thrombocythemia
Authors: LARSEN THOMAS STAUFFER , HASSELBALCH HANS CARL , PALLISGAARD NIELS , MØLLER MICHAEL BOE
Published: January 2009

A retrospective study of 38 essential thrombocythemia (ET) patients was conducted, reviewing bone marrow biopsies according to WHO criteria using a semiquantitative scoring system. Four patients did not fulfil the WHO criteria for a myeloproliferative disorder and one biopsy was insufficient for evaluation. 14 patients were reclassified as having prefibrotic idiopathic myelofibrosis (IMF), whilst the ET diagnosis was sustained in 19 patients. The individual bone marrow parameters of the reviewed diagnosis showed no correlation with JAK2 V617F mutation status, which was determined by a highly sensitive quantitative real‐time PCR (qPCR) method. However, we could confirm previous findings of higher haemoglobin and lower platelet levels in the JAK2 V617F positive patients. Thus, the well‐established phenotypic relationship of JAK2‐positive ET and PV at the biochemical and molecular level was not recorded as regards bone marrow morphology according to the WHO criteria. Accordingly, the WHO concept of two distinct entities, ET and prefibrotic IMF, does not seem to fit the model of JAK2‐positive ET as part of a biological continuum of JAK2 V617F‐positive chronic myeloproliferative disorders.
CLTA‐4 blockade in vivo promotes the generation of short‐lived effector CD8+ T cells and a more persistent central memory CD4+ T cell response
Authors: Hokey David A. , Yan Jian , Hirao Lauren A. , Dai Anlan , Boyer Jean D. , Jure‐Kunkel Maria N. , Weiner David B.
Published: January 2009

Background  Previously, we examined the effects of in vivo CTLA‐4 blockade using a fully human monoclonal antibody as a part of a DNA vaccination regimen in cynomolgus macaques (Macaca fascicularis). We observed that while the antibody had little effect on the IFN‐γ ELISpot response, CTLA‐4 blockade enhanced antigen‐specific cellular proliferation in both CD4+ and CD8+T‐cell compartments.

Methods  We examine the specific effects of CTLA‐4 blockade on memory T‐cell compartments following the third immunization and 10 months following a fourth immunization, during the memory phase of the immune response.

Results  CLTA‐4 blockade enhanced CD4+ and CD8+ central memory (CD28hi, CD95hi) T‐cell responses as well as a short‐lived CD8+ effector (CD28lo, CD95hi) T‐cell response.

Conclusions  These data suggest differing effects of CTLA‐4 blockade on CD4+ and CD8+ T cells with implications on the clinical use of anti‐CTLA‐4 antibodies for enhancement of vaccine strategies or treatment of human disease.
Association between decreased CXCL12 and CCL25 expression and increased apoptosis in lymphoid tissues of cynomolgus macaques during SIV infection
Authors: Qin Shulin , Sui Yongjun , Murphey‐Corb Michael A. , Reinhart Todd A.
Published: January 2009

Background  Chemokines likely play multiple roles in HIV‐1 and SIV pathogenesis. To examine potential associations between chemokine expression levels and apoptosis of cells in lymphoid tissues during SIV infection, we measured chemokine and cytokine mRNA levels in multiple lymphoid tissues compartments from uninfected and SIV‐infected cynomolgus macaques (Macaca fascicularis).

Methods  Real‐time RT‐PCR was used to measure host mRNA levels in macaque lymphoid tissues. Proliferating or apoptotic cells were identified in lymphoid tissues by immunohistochemistry.

Results  We found that CXCL12 and CCL25 mRNAs in SIV‐infected lymphoid tissues were decreased and their levels were negatively correlated with the numbers of proliferating and apoptotic cells. In vitro analyses revealed that CXCL12 and CCL25 were capable of reducing apoptosis induced by SIV infection.

Conclusions  These findings suggest that increased apoptosis in lymphoid tissues due to reduced levels of anti‐apoptotic chemokines might be a mechanism that contributes to loss of immune function following pathogenic SIV infection.
AIDS pathogenesis: a tale of two monkeys
Authors: Silvestri Guido
Published: January 2009

Despite many years of intense scientific effort, the pathogenic mechanisms underlying the immunodeficiency that follows human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection are still poorly understood. This lack of understanding is likely the main reason why at present there is neither a cure nor a vaccine for AIDS. Important clues on the immunopathogenesis of primate lentiviral infections have been provided by comparative studies of two simian models of SIV infection: the non‐pathogenic SIV infection of sooty mangabey, an African natural host species, and the pathogenic SIV‐infection of non‐natural host rhesus macaques, that develop a disease that closely resembles AIDS in humans. While the final mechanisms underlying the difference in infection outcome between these two species are still incompletely understood, a series of recent studies has allowed the identification of key similarities and differences between the two models of infection. In this article we summarize these findings and review the main implications in terms of HIV pathogenesis, therapy, and vaccines.
Agrichemicals in surface water and birth defects in the United States
Authors: Winchester Paul D , Huskins Jordan , Ying Jun
Published: January 2009

Objectives: To investigate if live births conceived in months when surface water agrichemicals are highest are at greater risk for birth defects.

Methods: Monthly concentrations during 1996–2002 of nitrates, atrazine and other pesticides were calculated using United States Geological Survey's National Water Quality Assessment data. Monthly United States birth defect rates were calculated for live births from 1996 to 2002 using United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention natality data sets. Birth defect rates by month of last menstrual period (LMP) were then compared to pesticide/nitrate means using logistical regression models.

Results: Mean concentrations of agrichemicals were highest in April–July. Total birth defects, and eleven of 22 birth defect subcategories, were more likely to occur in live births with LMPs between April and July. A significant association was found between the season of elevated agrichemicals and birth defects.

Conclusion: Elevated concentrations of agrichemicals in surface water in April–July coincided with higher risk of birth defects in live births with LMPs April–July. While a causal link between agrichemicals and birth defects cannot be proven from this study an association might provide clues to common factors shared by both variables.
Omega‐3 fatty acids, vitamin C and Zn supplementation in asthmatic children: a randomized self‐controlled study
Authors: Biltagi Mohammed Al , Baset Ahmed Abdul , Bassiouny Mohammed , Kasrawi Mohammed Al , Attia Mohammed
Published: January 2009

Objectives: Bronchial asthma is a chronic inflammatory airways disease. Nutritional intervention is an important tool to decrease the severity of many chronic inflammatory diseases including asthma. The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of omega‐3 fatty acids, vitamin C and Zn in children with moderately persistent asthma.

Patients and Methods: Randomly assigned, placebo‐self‐controlled 60 children with moderate persistent asthma completed the study, were subjected to alternating phases of supplementation with omega‐3 fatty acids, vitamin C and Zn either singly or in combination separated with washout phases. Childhood asthma control test (C‐ACT), pulmonary function tests and sputum inflammatory markers were evaluated at the beginning of the study and at the end of each therapeutic phase.

Results: There was a significant improvement of C‐ACT, pulmonary function tests and sputum inflammatory markers with diet supplementation with omega‐3 fatty acids, vitamin C and Zn (p < 0.001*). There was also significant improvement with the combined use of the three supplementations than single use of any one of them (p < 0.001*).

Conclusion: Diet supplementation with omega‐3 fatty acids, Zn and vitamin C significantly improved asthma control test, pulmonary function tests and pulmonary inflammatory markers in children with moderately persistent bronchial asthma either singly or in combination.
Historical Review of Penile Prosthesis Design and Surgical Techniques: Part 1 of a Three-Part Review Series on Penile Prosthetic Surgery
Authors: Henry Gerard D.
Published: January 2009

Introduction

Throughout history, many attempts to cure complete impotence have been recorded. Early attempts at a surgical approach involved the placement of rigid devices to support the natural process of erection formation. However, these early attempts placed the devices outside of the corpora cavernosa, with high rates of erosion and infection. Today, most urologists in the United States now place an inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) with an antibiotic coating inside the tunica albuginea.

Aim

The article describes the key historical landmarks in penile prosthesis design and surgical techniques.

Methods

The article reviews and evaluates the published literature for important contributions to penile prosthesis design and surgical techniques.

Main Outcome Measures

The article reviews and evaluates the historical landmarks in penile prosthesis design and surgical techniques that appear to improve outcomes and advance the field of prosthetic urology for the treatment of erectile dysfunction.

Results

The current review demonstrates the stepwise progression starting with the use of stenting for achieving rigidity in the impotent patient. Modern advances were first used in war-injured patients which led to early implantation with foreign material. The design and techniques of penile prostheses placement have advanced such that now, more complications are linked to medical issues than failure of the implant.

Conclusions

Today’s IPPs have high patient satisfaction rates with low mechanical failure rates.
Differential expression of HLA‐DQ alleles in peripheral blood mononuclear cells: alleles associated with susceptibility to and protection from autoimmune type 1 diabetes
Authors: Britten A. C. , Mijovic C. H. , Barnett A. H. , Kelly M. A.
Published: January 2009

Differential expression of human leucocyte antigen (HLA) class II genes has been postulated to influence the risk of developing autoimmune disease. In this study, we investigated the relationship between the level of mRNA expression of DQA1 and DQB1 alleles in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and the influence of the alleles on susceptibility to type 1 diabetes (T1D). Transcripts from pairs of DQA1 and DQB1 alleles were quantified in 59 DQ‐heterozygous individuals (29 patients with T1D and 30 healthy control subjects). Luciferase reporter gene assays were used to investigate the relative promoter activities of the alleles associated with high and low risk of disease. DQA1*0301 and the DQB1*06 group of alleles (*0601, *0602, *0603 and *0604) were generally overexpressed in comparison to other alleles. In contrast, mRNA for DQB1*0201/*0202 was generally less abundant than other DQB1 transcripts. These data correlated well with the relative promoter activities observed for the diabetes‐associated alleles; the strongest promoters were those derived from DQA1*0301 and DQB1*0602, while a 700‐bp fragment derived from the DQB1*0201 promoter showed the lowest activity of the DQB1 constructs. There was no simple correlation between the level of expression of specific DQ alleles and their influence on the risk of diabetes. The functional relevance of our findings and their implications for the pathogenesis of autoimmunity remain to be determined.
AutoGrow: A Novel Algorithm for Protein Inhibitor Design
Authors: Durrant Jacob D. , Amaro Rommie E. , McCammon J. Andrew
Published: January 2009

Due in part to the increasing availability of crystallographic protein structures as well as rapid improvements in computing power, the past few decades have seen an explosion in the field of computer‐based rational drug design. Several algorithms have been developed to identify or generate potential ligands in silico by optimizing the ligand–receptor hydrogen bond, electrostatic, and hydrophobic interactions. We here present AutoGrow, a novel computer‐aided drug design algorithm that combines the strengths of both fragment‐based growing and docking algorithms. To validate AutoGrow, we recreate three crystallographically resolved ligands from their constituent fragments.
Novel Side‐Chain Glucosylated and Adamantylated [Asp2/Glu2]Enkephalin Analogs: Synthesis and In Vitro Growth Inhibition of Human Tumor Cells
Authors: Horvat Štefica , Kralj Marijeta , Perc Milica , Jerić Ivanka , Varga‐Defterdarović Lidija , Jakas Andreja , Roščić Maja , Šuman Lidija , Gredičak Matija
Published: January 2009

A series of new backbone‐modified Leu‐ and Met‐enkephalin analogs (13–20 a and b) were synthesized. Backbone manipulations involved the replacement of the Gly2 residue in Tyr‐Gly‐Gly‐Phe‐Leu/Met with side‐chain glucosylated or adamantylated D/L‐aspartic or ‐glutamic acids. The in vitro antiproliferative activity of these compounds was evaluated for several cell lines and the results were compared with the effect of Met‐enkephalin, the native opioid growth factor. The tested compounds modestly inhibited the growth of the tumor cells (20–50% inhibition at millimolar concentrations). Among the tested compounds, Tyr‐D‐Glu(AdNH)‐Gly‐Phe‐Met (20b) showed significant antiproliferative activity, somewhat more pronounced on MCF‐7 (breast carcinoma) and MOLT‐4 (lymphoblastic leukemia) cells.
Osteosarcoma of the penile bone (os penis) in a dog
Authors: Peppler C , Weissert D , Kappe E , KlumP S , Kramer M , Reinacher M , Neiger R
Published: January 2009

Osteosarcoma of the penile bone was diagnosed in a 5‐year‐old neutered male Rottweiler with recurrent dysuria. Imaging and cytological findings raised the suspicion for an osteosarcoma and ablation of the entire penis and scrotal urethrostomy was performed. The diagnosis was confirmed histologically. The dog recovered well and no postoperative signs of dysuria were observed. The dog survived without adjuvant chemotherapy for 12 months when multiple tumours in the thorax and abdomen led to it being euthanased. Penile osteosarcoma is a rare disease, but must be considered as a differential diagnosis in dogs presenting with dysuria. This is the second recorded case of a penile osteosarcoma in a dog, but the first with a detailed description of the diagnosis, treatment and outcome.
Social Citizenship Rights and the Welfare Circle Dilemma: Attitudinal Findings of Two Chinese Societies
Authors: Wong Chack‐Kie , Wang Kate Yeong‐Tsyr , Kaun Ping‐Yin
Published: January 2009

This paper places social citizenship momentum into the context of squaring the welfare circle for examination. Citizenship is a powerful world‐level organizing principle especially by the minority groups for their claim of equal treatment. The squaring of welfare circle refers to the need of the governments to constrain their budgets but also meet the rising demands from and needs of their people. This comparative study looks at the attitudinal findings of two Chinese societies of Hong Kong and Taiwan to see whether or not the cultural factor can mitigate the momentum of social citizenship rights and the demand side of the welfare circle. Implications for social policy are also discussed.
Ageing Society Issues in Korea*
Authors: Choi Sung‐Jae
Published: January 2009

Korean society is facing unprecedentedly higher population ageing, particularly in the first half of the 21st century. The implications of population ageing have a much wider effect than the welfare of the elderly. From a broader and long‐term perspective, understanding population ageing may require a new paradigm. Korea has attempted to model its policies for ageing society on those of advanced welfare states, but as these no longer seem viable, Korean policy‐makers are searching for more effective and efficient measures to deal with its rapid ageing population. Reflecting a broader and long‐term perspective, the Korean government recently produced a comprehensive national policy plan to deal with the consequences of rapid population ageing. This article outlines the phenomenon of population ageing in Korea and the recent development of national policies for population ageing, describing the Korean comprehensive national policy plan for responding to it and examining major issues and problems related to developing and implementing the plan. This article finally suggests a new, age‐integrated social system approach to an ageing society.
Bivariate flood frequency analysis. Part 2: a copula‐based approach with mixed marginal distributions
Authors: Karmakar S. , Simonovic S.P.
Published: January 2009

Karmakar and Simonovic (2008)describe the methodology of assigning appropriate marginal distributions for three flood characteristics. It is found that the gamma distribution is best fitted for peak flow (P), and a nonparametric distribution from the orthonormal series method best fits to volume (V) and duration (D), based on the root mean square error, Akaike information criterion and Bayesian information criteria. In addition, the chi‐square test is performed to check the significance of fitness. In this paper, a methodology is developed to derive bivariate joint distributions of the flood characteristics using the concept of copulas, considering a set of parametric and nonparametric marginal distributions forP, VandDto mathematically model the correlated structure among them. In the conventional method of flood frequency analysis, the marginal distribution functions of peak flow, volume and duration are assumed to follow some specific parametric distribution function. The concept of copulas relaxes the restriction of traditional flood frequency analysis by selecting marginals from different families of probability distribution functions for flood characteristics. The present study performs a better selection of marginal distribution functions for flood characteristics by parametric and nonparametric estimation procedures, and demonstrates how the concept of copulas may be used for establishing a joint distribution function with mixed marginal distributions. The results obtained are useful for hydrologic design and planning purposes. The methodology is demonstrated with 70 years of stream flow data of Red River at Grand Forks of North Dakota, USA.
An inexpensive high‐throughput method to extract high yields of good quality DNA from fungi
Authors: KIKUCHI T. , KARIM N. , MASUYA H. , OTA Y. , KUBONO T.
Published: January 2009

We developed an efficient method for high‐throughput extraction of high‐quality DNA from various fungi. In this method, fungal mycelia were cultured and harvested on the surfaces of membranes on media plates. We degraded cell walls using a lytic enzyme (Yatalase). Purification was performed on 96‐well glass fibre filter plates. DNA was successfully extracted from various fungi provided (102 genus 132 species) at high yields and quality, and proved suitable for storage, polymerase chain reaction amplification and restriction enzyme digestion. The method described is rapid, inexpensive and automation friendly. This enables the simultaneous extraction of large numbers of samples, significantly improving the potential throughput in genomics, particularly in diagnostic and population studies.
Development of microsatellites from the rare ironstone endemic, Tetratheca paynterae ssp. paynterae and cross‐species amplification
Authors: BUTCHER P.A. , KRAUSS S.L.
Published: January 2009

Nineteen microsatellite markers were developed from Tetratheca paynterae ssp. paynterae, a rare and endangered, leafless, perennial shrub. Twelve loci were polymorphic in T. paynterae ssp. paynterae with two to 14 alleles per locus and mean expected heterozygosity of 0.62. Primer pairs were tested on four other Tetratheca species from ironstone ranges in southern Western Australia. Ten loci were polymorphic in T. paynterae ssp. cremnobata and T. aphylla ssp. aphylla, three in T. harperi and four in T. erubescens. The level of polymorphism was adequate for studies of genetic structure and mating systems in three of the five taxa.
Development of eight microsatellite markers in the parsley frog (Pelodytes punctatus)
Authors: JOURDAN‐PINEAU HELENE , NICOT ANTOINE , DUPUY VIRGINIE , DAVID PATRICE , CROCHET PIERRE‐ANDRE
Published: January 2009

We characterized eight microsatellite loci to study spatial and temporal population structure of Pelodytes punctatus, a European anuran that has a peculiar breeding pattern among amphibians. The eight loci proved to be highly polymorphic with the number of alleles per locus ranging from two to 15 within two populations. Cross‐amplification indicates that those markers may be also useful for closely related species from the same family.
Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci in tropical forage Stylosanthes capitata Vogel
Authors: SANTOS M. O. , SASSAKI R. P. , CHIARI L. , RESENDE R. M. S. , DE SOUZA A. P.
Published: January 2009

Stylosanthes capitata is an important tropical pasture legume. Knowledge of genetic diversity and structure of S. capitata populations is of great importance for the conservation and germplasm management of this species. Thus, eight microsatellite markers were developed from an S. capitata‐enriched library. They were characterized in 20 accessions from the germplasm collection of the Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária (Embrapa). The observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.16 to 0.85 and from 0.40 to 0.85, respectively. These microsatellites are the first set of molecular markers from this species and will contribute towards studies of genetic diversity, conservation and breeding of S. capitata.
Development of 16 polymorphic simple sequence repeat markers for Lycoris longituba from expressed sequence tags
Authors: HE QIULING , SHEN YE , CHEN YING , ZHOU YAN , BERG ARTHUR , WU RONGLING , HUANG MINREN
Published: January 2009

Lycoris longituba is a tulip‐like ornamental plant in China. We report on the data mining of L. longituba expressed sequence tags (ESTs) to generate simple sequence repeat (SSRs) markers. Eighteen EST‐SSRs were isolated and validated for 32 individuals. These markers will be valuable for studying the genetic structure and diversity of populations for L. longituba.
Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci in an endangered tree species, Afzelia xylocarpa (Kurz) Craib (Caesalpinioideae)
Authors: PAKKAD GREUK , UENO SANEYOSHI , YOSHIMARU HIROSHI
Published: January 2009

Afzelia xylocarpa is listed as an endangered species on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources World list of Threatened Trees, due to overexploitation for its valuable timber and habitat loss. We isolated eight polymorphic microsatellite loci from A. xylocarpa using dual suppression polymerase chain reaction technique. These loci provide microsatellite markers with high polymorphism, as the number of alleles ranged from two to seven, and the estimate of gene diversity was between 0.285 and 0.795. The markers are now available for more detailed investigation of population genetic structure and gene flow among A. xylocarpa populations.
New perspectives in diet analysis based on DNA barcoding and parallel pyrosequencing: the trnL approach
Authors: VALENTINI ALICE , MIQUEL CHRISTIAN , NAWAZ MUHAMMAD ALI , BELLEMAIN EVA , COISSAC ERIC , POMPANON FRANÇOIS , GIELLY LUDOVIC , CRUAUD CORINNE , NASCETTI GIUSEPPE , WINCKER PATRICK , SWENSON JON E. , TABERLET PIERRE
Published: January 2009

The development of DNA barcoding (species identification using a standardized DNA sequence), and the availability of recent DNA sequencing techniques offer new possibilities in diet analysis. DNA fragments shorter than 100–150 bp remain in a much higher proportion in degraded DNA samples and can be recovered from faeces. As a consequence, by using universal primers that amplify a very short but informative DNA fragment, it is possible to reliably identify the plant taxon that has been eaten. According to our experience and using this identification system, about 50% of the taxa can be identified to species using the trnL approach, that is, using the P6 loop of the chloroplast trnL (UAA) intron. We demonstrated that this new method is fast, simple to implement, and very robust. It can be applied for diet analyses of a wide range of phytophagous species at large scales. We also demonstrated that our approach is efficient for mammals, birds, insects and molluscs. This method opens new perspectives in ecology, not only by allowing large‐scale studies on diet, but also by enhancing studies on resource partitioning among competing species, and describing food webs in ecosystems.
Isolation, characterization and cross‐species testing of microsatellites obtained from a sand smelt (Atherina boyeri) genomic library
Authors: MILANA VALENTINA , SOLA LUCIANA , ROSSI ANNA R. , BARBISAN FEDERICA , CONGIU LEONARDO
Published: January 2009

This study reports the isolation and characterization of 11 polymorphic microsatellites from a sand smelt (Atherina boyeri) genomic library. Enrichment was performed with di‐, tri‐ and tetranucleotide motifs following the FIASCO procedure (fast isolation by AFLP of sequences containing repeats). All loci were found to be in linkage and in Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. This represents the first microsatellite isolation for the family Atherinidae and the isolated loci were accordingly tested on four additional species of the family: two recognized (A. presbyter and A. hepsetus) and two proposed (‘punctata’ and ‘non‐punctata’ forms). Moreover their cross‐species suitability on Menidia menidia, belonging to the same order but to the family Atherinopsidae, was also tested.
Ten microsatellite markers for the freshwater diatomSellaphora capitata
Authors: EVANS KATHARINE M. , CHEPURNOV VICTOR A. , MANN DAVID G.
Published: January 2009

Ten polymorphic microsatellite markers were developed for the benthic freshwater diatomSellaphora capitataand tested on 40 isolates from a Belgian pond. Genotyping was very successful (95%). The number of alleles per locus ranged from three to 12 (mean 6.6) and expected heterozygosities from 0.2 to 0.86 (mean 0.67). This is the first time that microsatellite markers have been developed for a freshwater or benthic diatom.
Assessing statistical power of SNPs for population structure and conservation studies
Authors: MORIN PHILLIP A. , MARTIEN KAREN K. , TAYLOR BARBARA L.
Published: January 2009

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been proposed by some as the new frontier for population studies, and several papers have presented theoretical and empirical evidence reporting the advantages and limitations of SNPs. As a practical matter, however, it remains unclear how many SNP markers will be required or what the optimal characteristics of those markers should be in order to obtain sufficient statistical power to detect different levels of population differentiation. We use a hypothetical case to illustrate the process of designing a population genetics project, and present results from simulations that address several issues for maximizing statistical power to detect differentiation while minimizing the amount of effort in developing SNPs. Results indicate that (i) while ~30 SNPs should be sufficient to detect moderate (FST = 0.01) levels of differentiation, studies aimed at detecting demographic independence (e.g. FST < 0.005) may require 80 or more SNPs and large sample sizes; (ii) different SNP allele frequencies have little affect on power, and thus, selection of SNPs can be relatively unbiased; (iii) increasing the sample size has a strong effect on power, so that the number of loci can be minimized when sample number is known, and increasing sample size is almost always beneficial; and (iv) power is increased by including multiple SNPs within loci and inferring haplotypes, rather than trying to use only unlinked SNPs. This also has the practical benefit of reducing the SNP ascertainment effort, and may influence the decision of whether to seek SNPs in coding or noncoding regions.