bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The legwd mutant uncovers the role of starch phosphorylation in pollen development and germination in tomato
Authors: Nashilevitz Shai , Melamed‐Bessudo Cathy , Aharoni Asaph , Kossmann Jens , Wolf Shmuel , Levy Avraham A.
Published: September 2008

Starches extracted from most plant species are phosphorylated. α‐Glucan water dikinase (GWD) is a key enzyme that controls the phosphate content of starch. In the absence of its activity starch degradation is impaired, leading to a starch excess phenotype in Arabidopsis and in potato leaves, and to reduced cold sweetening in potato tubers. Here, we characterized a transposon insertion (legwd::Ds) in the tomato GWD (LeGWD) gene that caused male gametophytic lethality. The mutant pollen had a starch excess phenotype that was associated with a reduction in pollen germination. SEM and TEM analyses indicated mild shrinking of the pollen grains and the accumulation of large starch granules inside the plastids. The level of soluble sugars was reduced by 1.8‐fold in mutant pollen grains. Overall, the transmission of the mutant allele was only 0.4% in the male, whereas it was normal in the female. Additional mutant alleles, obtained through transposon excision, showed the same phenotypes as legwd::Ds. Moreover, pollen germination could be restored, and the starch excess phenotype could be abolished in lines expressing the potato GWD homolog (StGWD) under a pollen‐specific promoter. In these lines, where fertility was restored, homozygous plants for legwd::Ds were isolated, and showed the starch excess phenotype in the leaves. Overall, our results demonstrate the importance of starch phosphorylation and breakdown for pollen germination, and open up the prospect for analyzing the role of starch metabolism in leaves and fruits.
Spatial patterns, species richness and cover in weed communities of organic and conventional no‐tillage spring wheat systems
Authors: POLLNAC F W , REW L J , MAXWELL B D , MENALLED F D
Published: September 2008

Heterogeneous field conditions are ubiquitous throughout agricultural systems and have given rise to the practice of site‐specific management, in an effort to increase sustainability and/or homogenise growing conditions and thereby increase crop yields. The spatial pattern of weeds in conventional systems is widely accepted to be aggregated, but there have been no scientific studies regarding the spatial pattern of weed distribution in organic systems. Using a combination of aggregation measures and quadrat variance techniques, this study compared the spatial pattern of weed distribution in conventionally managed no‐tillage spring wheat fields to those of organically managed spring wheat fields. Per cent weed cover data (by species) were collected in the summers of 2005 and 2006 from transects located in conventional no‐tillage and organic spring wheat fields. Weed cover was aggregated in both the conventional and the organic systems, but the patterns of aggregation were different for the two systems. Conventional no‐tillage systems showed a patch/gap pattern, while organic systems showed multiple scales of patchiness with few gaps. These results suggest that processes causing aggregation in the two systems may be different and that site‐specific management may be applicable to organic systems as well as conventional spring wheat systems.
A classification methodology for the risk of weed infestation using fuzzy logic
Authors: BRESSAN G M , KOENIGKAN L V , OLIVEIRA V A , CRUVINEL P E , KARAM D
Published: September 2008

Despite modern weed control practices, weeds continue to be a threat to agricultural production. Considering the variability of weeds, a classification methodology for the risk of infestation in agricultural zones using fuzzy logic is proposed. The inputs for the classification are attributes extracted from estimated maps for weed seed production and weed coverage using kriging and map analysis and from the percentage of surface infested by grass weeds, in order to account for the presence of weed species with a high rate of development and proliferation. The output for the classification predicts the risk of infestation of regions of the field for the next crop. The risk classification methodology described in this paper integrates analysis techniques which may help to reduce costs and improve weed control practices. Results for the risk classification of the infestation in a maize crop field are presented. To illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed system, the risk of infestation over the entire field is checked against the yield loss map estimated by kriging and also with the average yield loss estimated from a hyperbolic model.
Crop rotation effects on Cyperus rotundus and C. esculentus population dynamics in southern California vegetable production
Authors: WANG G , McGIFFEN Jr M E , OGBUCHIEKWE E J
Published: September 2008

Control options for Cyperus rotundus and Cyperus esculentus (purple and yellow nutsedge) were evaluated within three cropping systems in the low desert of southern California: (1) standard vegetable crop rotation (weed‐free, uncontrolled nutsedge and cultivation) with spring cantaloupe (Cucumis melo) – summer fallow – winter broccoli (Brassica oleracea), (2) cover crop rotation (halosulfuron and smother crop) with spring wheat (Triticum aestivum)/corn (Zea mays) – summer sudangrass (Sorghum sudanense) – Winter Fallow, (3) rotation with solarization (non‐solarization and solarization) with spring wheat – summer fallow/solarization – winter broccoli. After two growing seasons, broccoli was planted without Cyperus control, to study the effect on yield. Cyperus rotundus tubers increased from 0.66 tubers per m2 to 1260 tubers per m2 in the uncontrolled treatment over two seasons. Cultivation during the growing season reduced C. rotundus tubers by 93% compared with the uncontrolled plots. Cover crop rotation did not reduce the number of C. rotundus tubers significantly, despite the dense sudangrass canopy shading the soil during most of the summer. Cyperus rotundus was effectively controlled by the solarization treatment. All methods controlled C. esculentus, especially when there were no crops growing in the summer. When broccoli was grown after two years of various management strategies, the cultivation treatment showed a 44% yield reduction compared with the weed‐free control, while the solarization treatment increased broccoli yield by 64% compared with the non‐solarization treatment. Rotations that included sudangrass had low broccoli yield when either C. rotundus or C. esculentus were present.
Molecular and quantitative genetic differentiation across Europe in yellow dung flies
Authors: DEMONT M. , BLANCKENHORN W. U. , HOSKEN D. J. , GARNER T. W. J.
Published: September 2008

Relating geographic variation in quantitative traits to underlying population structure is crucial for understanding processes driving population differentiation, isolation and ultimately speciation. Our study represents a comprehensive population genetic survey of the yellow dung fly Scathophaga stercoraria, an important model organism for evolutionary and ecological studies, over a broad geographic scale across Europe (10 populations from the Swiss Alps to Iceland). We simultaneously assessed differentiation in five quantitative traits (body size, development time, growth rate, proportion of diapausing individuals and duration of diapause), to compare differentiation in neutral marker loci (FST) to that of quantitative traits (QST). Despite long distances and uninhabitable areas between sampled populations, population structuring was very low but significant (FST = 0.007, 13 microsatellite markers; FST = 0.012, three allozyme markers; FST = 0.007, markers combined). However, only two populations (Iceland and Sweden) showed significant allelic differentiation to all other populations. We estimated high levels of gene flow [effective number of migrants (Nm) = 6.2], there was no isolation by distance, and no indication of past genetic bottlenecks (i.e. founder events) and associated loss of genetic diversity in any northern or island population. In contrast to the low population structure, quantitative traits were strongly genetically differentiated among populations, following latitudinal clines, suggesting that selection is responsible for life history differentiation in yellow dung flies across Europe.
Sampling genotype configurations in a large complex pedigree
Authors: Szydlowski M. , Gengler N.
Published: September 2008

Many genetic problems can be solved by Monte Carlo method. This often requires sampling genotype configurations over pedigree. Current available samplers are inefficient for large animal pedigrees. A new sampler suitable for large complex pedigrees has been developed and evaluated. The sampler uses simple and iterative peeling algorithms alternately. The sampler was compared to two other samplers on hypothetical pedigree of 79 individuals and recessive disease. The behaviour of the sampler was evaluated in four experimental designs on real bovine pedigree of 907 903 animals. The application of the sampler was also exemplified in identical by descent study.
Influence of hop yard ground flora on invertebrate pests of hops and their natural enemies
Authors: Grasswitz T. R. , James D. G.
Published: September 2008

A 3‐year study in Washington State, USA examined the influence of hop yard ground flora both on the invertebrate pests of hops [including hop aphid (Phorodon humuli Schrank), two‐spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae Koch) and hop looper (Hypena humuli Harris)] and on their natural enemies. Each year half of the experimental plots were sown with a mixture of ‘insectary’ plants [including California poppy (Eschscholzia californica von Chamisso), dwarf cornflower (Centaurea cyanus L.) and buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench)]. Season‐long average cover provided by the flowering mixture ranged from 2% to 26%, with some blooms being present for most of the season in each year. In terms of vegetation, the other main differences between cover‐cropped and control plots were in the proportions of bare soil (which was always significantly higher in control plots) and the percentage of Chenopodium album L., which was significantly higher in the cover‐cropped plots in two of the three seasons. Populations of spider mites on hop foliage were significantly lower in cover‐cropped plots than in control plots in 2 of 3 years, while mite numbers in the cones at harvest were generally low and usually did not differ between treatments. Responses of hop aphids were much more variable, with no consistent treatment effect on either leaf or cone infestations. Larval populations of hop looper tended to be higher in cover‐cropped plots in the first two generations, but usually not in the third (final) generation. Of the beneficial invertebrates, spiders and nabids consistently reached higher average densities in the ground flora of cover‐cropped plots than in control plots in all 3 years, while anthocorids, geocorids and parasitic hymenoptera reached higher mean densities in the former plots in 2 of 3 years. Adult coccinellids were higher in cover‐cropped plots only in 2006.
Virulence of Hessian fly (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) in the Fertile Crescent
Authors: El Bouhssini M. , Chen M. , Lhaloui S. , Zharmukhamedova G. , Rihawi F.
Published: September 2008

The Hessian fly, Mayetiola destructor (Say), is an important insect pest of wheat (Triticum spp.) in North Africa, North America, southern Europe and northern Kazakhstan. Both wheat and this pest are believed to have originated from West Asia in the Fertile Crescent. The virulence of a Hessian fly population from Syria against a set of cultivars carrying different resistance genes, in addition to other effective sources with unknown genes, was determined in the field and laboratory at the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) during the 2005/2006 cropping season. Only two resistance genes (H25 and H26) were effective against the Syrian Hessian fly population, making it the most virulent worldwide. This high virulence supports the hypothesis that Hessian fly coevolved with wheat in the Fertile Crescent of West Asia. The ICARDA screening programme is using this Hessian fly population to identify new resistance genes to this pest.
Relationships between Milk Production, Ovarian Function and Fertility in High‐producing Dairy Herds in North‐eastern Spain
Authors: Yániz J , López‐Gatius F , Bech‐Sàbat G , García‐Ispierto I , Serrano B , Santolaria P
Published: September 2008

Contents

In the dairy industry worldwide, reproductive disorders are a major cause of economic losses and a challenge to scientists and technicians. In recent decades, declining fertility and increasing milk production have been widely reported in dairy cattle. In this article, the relationships between milk production, ovarian disorders and fertility in high‐producing dairy herds are briefly described. We carried out a retrospective study of 23 204 lactations included in a reproductive control programme in north‐eastern Spain, a geographical area experiencing both warm and cool conditions. The data were collected between 1991 and 2007 and refer to cows first inseminated or examined 45–80 days postpartum in five well‐managed, commercial, Holstein‐Friesian high‐producing dairy herds. Ovarian disorders were classified as ovarian inactivity or hypofunction, cystic ovarian disease, sub‐oestrus or silent ovulation and sub‐luteal function. Ovarian hypofunction and milk production increased throughout the study period and there was a decrease in the pregnancy rate to first artificial insemination (AI). Cows suffering ovarian hypofunction were efficiently treated using combined progestagen‐prostaglandin treatments. The incidence of ovarian cysts showed little variation with time. Treatment of this syndrome may include different GnRH‐based treatments or manual rupture. During the last 5 years, sub‐oestrus was the predominant dysfunction (42.1%) compared with the cystic (6.3%) and ovarian hypofunction (12%) forms. Response of sub‐oestrous cows to treatment with luteolitic agents was usually higher than 60%. Ovarian function and fertility were dramatically impaired during the warm period. However, during the later years of the study, the inclusion of fans and water sprinklers for the warm season appeared to overcome the seasonal effect on fertility.
Improving the Efficiency of Insemination with Sex‐sorted Spermatozoa
Authors: Vazquez JM , Parrilla I , Gil MA , Cuello C , Caballero I , Vazquez JL , Roca J , Martínez EA
Published: September 2008

Contents

The sorting of X‐ and Y‐chromosome‐bearing spermatozoa by flow cytometry is nowadays one of the most apt assisted‐reproduction technologies in livestock production. Potential economic and biological benefits, as well as those related to easier management of herds, have been reported arising out of the application of this technique, especially in cattle. Yet, the sex‐sorting procedure induces damage to spermatozoa, affecting their function and fertilizing ability. Different species present varying degrees of susceptibility to damage from the sorting process and each has its own requirements for sex‐sorted insemination procedures. Thus, several new protocols and strategies have been designed for the handling of sorted spermatozoa, with the main objective of optimizing their fertilizing ability and the consequent application of flow‐cytometric sex‐sorting technology. This article reviews current advances in this technology, pointing out the components to be improved before this technology may be widely applied in different domestic species.
MRI of sporadic Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease
Authors: Kong A , Kleinig T , Van der Vliet A , Bergin P , Coscia C , Ring S , Brooder R
Published: September 2008

The key MRI findings in five cases of sporadic Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease (CJD) are illustrated with four ‘definite’ and one ‘probable’ according to World Health Organization criteria. Close attention to fluid‐attenuation inversion recovery and diffusion‐weighted imaging sequences are important for diagnosis, noting especially restricted diffusion in cortical and deep grey matter. Our study and those of others show predominant cortical, caudate and thalamic involvement. This pattern is highly sensitive and specific for the diagnosis. Fluid‐attenuation inversion recovery and diffusion‐weighted imaging signal abnormality becomes progressively more extensive and bilateral as disease progresses, but may become less pronounced in end‐stage disease because of atrophy.
Increased detections of leptomeningeal presentations in men with hormone refractory prostate cancer: An effect of improved systemic therapy?
Authors: Lin C , Turner S , Gurney H , Peduto A
Published: September 2008

Metastases from prostate cancer occur largely in bone through a haematogenous route. Metastatic spread of prostate cancer to the leptomeninges was rarely seen in the past. However, there has been a recent increase in presentations of leptomeningeal spread from prostate cancer in our institutions. Between 2004 and 2006, four patients were diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer with leptomeningeal metastases in our centres. All four patients had hormone refractory prostate cancer and had previously had chemotherapy. The median survival of these patients was approximately 15 months from the time of hormone refractoriness. The prognosis of leptomeningeal metastasis secondary to metastatic prostate cancer is poor, ranging from 2 to 7 months as seen in our series. New cases of leptomeningeal metastases seen in our series are hypothesized to be secondary to the use of effective modern systemic treatments. A parallel might be drawn with the increased rate of central nervous system metastases in breast cancer since the introduction of effective cytotoxic treatments and more recently targeted therapies. We suggest the clinicians to be aware of the potential change of natural history and pattern of progression in metastatic prostate cancer.
Planning and implementing an implanted fiducial programme for prostate cancer radiation therapy
Authors: Thompson A , Fox C , Foroudi F , Styles C , Tai KH , Owen R , Laferlita M
Published: September 2008

Using implanted gold seeds as fiducial markers to verify the position of the prostate in radiation therapy is well accepted and is becoming the standard of practice and requirement for international multicentre trials. In 2006 the decision was made at the Peter MacCallum Caner Centre (Peter Mac) to plan for and implement this process as standard clinical practice for radical dose prostate treatments (74–78 Gy). Before this, programme verification of field placement for prostate cancer radiation treatment was routinely carried out using regular off‐line electronic portal imaging with matching of bony anatomy. A small multidisciplinary team investigated and assisted in the implementation of this new practice across the Peter Mac sites at East Melbourne and our three satellite centres. Issues considered included seed size, number and position in the prostate, implant equipment, imaging equipment and procedure and consent and information forms. The use of a custom made fiducial pack, comprehensive patient information and a daily on‐line imaging process was implemented. The experience of the first 28 patients at Peter Mac from January 2007 to May 2007 inclusive is reported on.
Quality of life of young adults with congenital hypothyroidism
Authors: Sato Hirokazu , Nakamura Nobue , Harada Shohei , Kakee Naoko , Sasaki Nozomu
Published: September 2008

Background:  The aim of the present study was to investigate health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) and the living conditions of young adults with congenital hypothyroidism (CH) detected on newborn screening.

Method:  Among medical institutions that care for CH patients in Japan and were approached to in the present study, 78 institutions agreed to participate. The World Health Organization Quality of Life‐26 (WHO/QOL‐26) was used for measurement of HRQOL. CH patients who gave consent after receiving an explanation from their physicians filled in questionnaires at home and sent them by mail. This survey involved 51 CH patients (15 male; 36 female) whose mean age was 21.1 ± 2.7 years (±SD; range, 18–27 years). The data from WHO/QOL‐26 forms completed by 43 patients (12 male; 31 female) were compared with those for healthy individuals.

Results:  Mean WHO/QOL‐26 scores were 3.51 ± 0.43 for male patients and 3.59 ± 0.42 for female patients, and there were no significant differences between them and healthy individuals (men, 3.32 ± 0.42; women, 3.35 ± 0.49). No significant difference was observed between patients and healthy individuals on any domain of the WHO/QOL‐26. Their degree of educational attainment was not poor.

Conclusions:  The HRQOL of young adults with CH detected on newborn screening was not poor.
Modified anatrophic partial nephrectomy with selective renal segmental artery clamping to preserve renal function: A preliminary report
Authors: Nohara Takahiro , Fujita Hiroshi , Yamamoto Kenrou , Kitagawa Yasuhide , Gabata Toshifumi , Namiki Mikio
Published: September 2008

Objectives:  Partial nephrectomy is effective for preserving renal function, but temporary clamping of the renal artery for hemorrhagic control may impair renal function due to ischemia/reperfusion injury. Anatrophic partial nephrectomy (APNx) has been proposed to minimize renal ischemia/reperfusion injury by clamping only the feeding artery. We aimed to evaluate whether anatrophic partial nephrectomy (APNx) is useful in preserving renal function and to assess variations in renal artery anatomy to determine the feasibility of selective segmental artery clamping.

Methods:  We performed preoperative renal angiography to evaluate the utility of APNx. Perioperative changes in renal function were compared between the APNx group and a standard partial nephrectomy group.

Results:  APNx was successful in 18 patients. The mean lengths of the feeding artery on preoperative angiography were 20.5 and 6 mm for successful and unsuccessful cases, respectively. It was not difficult to clamp the feeding artery in 16 patients with lengths >10 mm or with multiple renal arteries. Evaluation of renovascular variations on 116 renal angiograms indicated that APNx was feasible for 60% and 40% on the right and left sides, respectively. The short‐term increase in the serum creatinine level was significantly smaller after APNx than it was after standard partial nephrectomy.

Conclusions:  APNx minimizes ischemic/reperfusion injury and preserves renal function while achieving hemorrhage control. As it can be performed safely in about 50% of cases, it may be the option for patients with renal impairment or a solitary kidney.
Does laparoscopic cystectomy and cauterization of endometriomas greater than 3 cm diminish ovarian response to controlled ovarian hyperstimulation during IVF‐ET? A case–control study
Authors: Kahyaoglu Serkan , Ertas Egemen , Kahyaoglu Inci , Mollamahmutoglu Leyla , Batioglu Sertac
Published: September 2008

Aims:  The objective of this study is to evaluate the in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer results of patients with endometriomas pretreated with laparoscopic cystectomy and cauterization compared with age‐matched tubal infertility patients.

Methods:  Records of the in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer unit have been retrospectively reviewed from September 2000 to September 2004. Twenty‐two patients who underwent surgery for endometriomas and participated in an in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer procedure, were detected and age‐matched with 22 tubal factor infertility patients.

Results:  Higher follicle numbers greater than 14 mm in size were achieved in the tubal infertility group than the endometriosis group. Duration of hyperstimulation, number of ampoules used, good quality embryos, transferred embryos and fertilization rates were similar in each group. Clinical pregnancy rates per cycle, determined as fetal heart beat demonstration on sonography, were 45% and 36% for the endometrioma group and the tubal infertility group respectively.

Conclusions:  Laparoscopic cystectomy and cauterization for ovarian endometriomas decreases ovarian follicle reserve and does not impede pregnancy rate per cycle during in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer procedure.
Carbetocin versus syntometrine in prevention of post‐partum hemorrhage following vaginal delivery
Authors: Nirmala Kampan , Zainuddin Ani Amelia , Ghani Nur Azurah Abdul , Zulkifli Syed , Jamil Mohd Abdul
Published: September 2008

Objective:  To compare the efficacy of a single dose of 100 µg intramuscular carbetocin to a single dose of intramuscular syntometrine (0.5 mg ergometrine and 5IU oxytocin), in preventing post‐partum hemorrhage (PPH) in high risk patients following vaginal delivery.

Methods:  A prospective, randomized controlled study was conducted in a tertiary hospital where 120 pregnant women with risk factors for PPH who delivered vaginally were randomized into two groups: the study group where 100 µg intramuscular carbetocin was administered and the control group, who received intramuscular syntometrine. Outcome measures compared included changes in vital signs, amount of intrapartum blood loss, uterine fundal position, addition of another oxytocic agent, side‐effects of the drugs, amount of lochia and hemoglobin drop after 24 hours post‐partum. Incidence of PPH or other adverse events were also compared.

Results:  There were no significant differences in terms of requirement for additional oxytocic agents, time interval to well contracted uterus, blood transfusion requirements, adverse effects or complications. There was a significantly lower mean estimated blood loss in the carbetocin group compared to the syntometrine group (244 ± 114 mL vs 343 ± 143 mL, 95% CI 52–146 mL). There was also a significantly reduced drop in hemoglobin in the carbetocin group compared to the syntometrine group (0.3 ± 0.2 g/dL vs 0.4 ± 0.2 g/dL, 95% CI 0.1–0.2 g/dL).

Conclusion:  Intramuscular carbetocin may be more effective than intramuscular syntometrine in reducing post‐partum blood loss and the drop in hemoglobin level.
Feasibility and efficacy of laparoscopic management of ovarian cancer
Authors: Jung Un Suk , Lee Jung Hun , Kyung Min Sun , Choi Joong Sub
Published: September 2008

Aims:  The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of laparoscopically‐assisted staging surgery for ovarian cancer.

Methods:  Twenty four patients were evaluated. Among them, nineteen underwent initial laparoscopic staging surgery and five patients who were incompletely staged by other institutions underwent complete restaging surgery. The procedure included pelvic lymphadenectomy, paraaortic lymphadenectomy, multiple biopsies, washing cytology, infracolic omentectomy, and appendectomy. Laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo‐oophorectomy were performed on all patients except one. Parameters such as tumor diameter, operating time, estimated blood loss, length of hospital stay, number of harvested lymph nodes, intraoperative and postoperative complications, and recurrence were evaluated.

Results:  The patients’ mean age was 52.8 ± 11.3 years and the mean parity was 2.5 ± 1.6. The mean diameter of the tumors was 8.4 ± 3.3 cm, the mean operating time was 253.7 ± 65.7 minutes, and the mean blood loss was 567.0 ± 170.9 mL. The mean postoperative hospital stay was 10.6 ± 4.0 days. The mean number of harvested pelvic lymph nodes was 22.5 ± 8.9 and the mean number of harvested paraaortic lymph nodes was 11.0 ± 5.8. None of the operations were switched to laparotomy. There were no major intraoperative complications, however, port site metastasis developed postoperatively in one patient.

Conclusion:  Comprehensive laparoscopically‐assisted staging surgery, performed by a specialized laparoscopic oncologist with sufficient laparoscopic experience and a well‐trained operating team, is both feasible and effective in treating ovarian cancers.
Manganese superoxide dismutase gene polymorphism, MnSOD plasma levels and risk of epithelial ovarian cancer
Authors: Dalan Altay Burak , Ergen Arzu , Yılmaz Hülya , Karateke Ateş , İsbir Turgay
Published: September 2008

Aim:  We aimed to confirm any relation between the manganese‐containing superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) polymorphism and risk of ovarian carcinoma as well as to demonstrate any relation between the MnSOD mitochondrial signal sequence polymorphism and plasma MnSOD enzyme levels in women with ovarian carcinoma and healthy subjects.

Methods:  In a population‐based case – control study, we compared 55 cases with ovarian carcinoma and 51 controls regarding the occurrence of the C/T (alanine/valine, A/V) substitution at the −9 position in the mitochondrial signal sequence of the MnSOD gene. Polymerase chain reaction, restriction fragment length polymorphism and Nu‐Sieve agarose gel electrophoresis were utilized to perform genotyping. Additionally, MnSOD plasma levels were measured using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay methodology.

Results:  There were no statistically significant elevated risks associated with V or A alleles. No statistically significant association between the alleles and plasma MnSOD levels were found. Overall plasma MnSOD levels were found to be significantly higher in the patient group.

Conclusions:  Although in this study, patients with ovarian carcinoma had significantly higher plasma MnSOD levels than the control group (P < 0.001), no influence of the allelic distribution on plasma MnSOD levels could be detected in either group. Our results are in disagreement with earlier findings that there was an association between the A allele and increased risk for ovarian carcinoma. Thus, an extended study for a possible association between the MnSOD diallelic polymorphism and risk of ovarian cancer may be warranted.
Advanced maternal age and risk of antepartum and intrapartum stillbirth
Authors: Salihu Hamisu M. , Wilson Roneé E. , Alio Amina P. , Kirby Russell S.
Published: September 2008

Aim:  We sought to assess the risk of antepartum and intrapartum stillbirth subtypes among women of advanced age.

Methods:  This is a retrospective cohort study using the Missouri maternally linked data containing births from 1978 to 1997. We examined the impact of maternal age on total, antepartum and intrapartum stillbirth across five maternal age group quintiles (20–24, 25–29, 30–34, 35–39 and ≥40) using mothers aged 20–24 years as the referent category. By means of the Cox proportional hazards regression models we obtained adjusted hazards ratios that quantified the magnitude of association between maternal age and the stillbirth subtypes.

Results:  The rates of antepartum and intrapartum stillbirth were greatest for older mothers (9.3/1000 and 1.2/1000 respectively) and lowest for gravidas aged 25–29 years (3.6/1000 and 0.8/1000 respectively). After adjusting for potentially confounding characteristics, older mothers still remained at greatest risk for antepartum and intrapartum stillbirth (adjusted hazards ratio = 3.6, 95% confidence interval = 2.9–4.4; and adjusted hazards ratio = 2.7, 95% confidence interval = 2.0–3.6 for antepartum and intrapartum stillbirth respectively). The risks for the two subtypes of stillbirth also increased with ascending maternal age in a dose‐dependent pattern.

Conclusions:  As the demographic distribution of pregnant women persistently shifts to the right, care‐providers will be increasingly confronted with elevated risks for adverse fetal outcomes among older mothers. Our results confirm this phenomenon and add new findings in relation to the elevated risk for intrapartum stillbirth among mothers advanced for age.
Lupus mastitis mimicking a breast tumor
Authors: Arsenovic Nebojsa , Terzic Milan
Published: September 2008

Lupus mastitis represents a subset of breast‐limited lupus panniculitis, and occurs very rarely in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. We report a case of a 33‐year‐old white woman with a previous history of systemic lupus erythematosus, complaining of an acute tenderness and pain in the right breast associated with localized skin erythema. Ultrasound and mammography reports from a private breast clinic, where she was scheduled for core needle biopsy, aroused suspicion of a breast tumor. Clinically the patient had a painful mass suggestive of an inflammatory lump with an abscess. Her double‐stranded DNA antibody level, white blood cell count and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were increased; and her renal function was impaired and serology findings negative. All other laboratory tests were within the normal ranges. The patient underwent urgent surgical incision and excisional biopsy of the lesion, and histology revealed lupus mastitis. Lupus mastitis very rarely may appear as a breast lump and therefore presents a great diagnostic challenge for clinicians, occasionally for radiologists and rarely for pathologists.
Mifepristone plus vaginal misoprostol vs vaginal misoprostol alone for medical abortion in gestation 63 days or less in Nepalese women: A quasi‐randomized controlled trial
Authors: Chawdhary Rashmi , Rana Ashma , Pradhan Neelam
Published: September 2008

Aim:  To compare the efficacy of mifepristone and vaginal misoprostol with misoprostol alone for pregnancy termination up to 63 days.

Method:  This exploratory study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal as a part of a thesis study for a period of one year from April 2005–2006. After confirming a pregnancy ≤63 days gestation by transvaginal ultrasound, an equal number of women (50) were randomized into (i) group A, women who received 200 mg oral mifepristone (RU 486) on day 1 and vaginal misoprostol 800 µg on day 3; and (ii) group B, women who received vaginal misoprostol (800 µg) on day 1 and 3 (total dose 1600 µg). The primary study outcome measure was complete abortion without surgical intervention making comparisons between these two groups in terms of complete abortion rate, need for manual vacuum aspiration for incomplete abortion and pregnancy continuation after reconfirming the diagnosis on transvaginal ultrasound, besides comparing the side effects/complications.

Results:  Fewer side effects and a more complete abortion rate (94%) was observed in group A (mifepristone and vaginal misoprostol) in comparison to vaginal misoprostol alone (total dose 1600 µg) giving a complete abortion rate of 86% along with a significant hematocrit drop on follow‐up day 10 (P = 0.03) besides having increased duration of bleeding (P = 0.017).

Conclusion:  Mifepristone oral (200 mg) followed by vaginal misoprostol (800 µg) on day 3 provides a better success rate (94%) with fewer complications than vaginal misoprostol 800 µg used on days 1 and 3 for medical abortion of pregnancies up to 63 days.
Prevention of gestational diabetes mellitus by continuing metformin therapy throughout pregnancy in women with polycystic ovary syndrome
Authors: Begum Mosammat Rashida , Khanam Nurun Nahar , Quadir Ehsan , Ferdous Jannatul , Begum Mosammat Sahina , Khan Farzana , Begum Anowara
Published: September 2008

Aim:  The aim of the present study was to assess whether continuation of metformin therapy throughout pregnancy can reduce the development of gestational diabetes in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).

Methods:  This experimental study was conducted in a private tertiary level infertility care center between June 2002 and December 2006. Fifty‐nine non‐diabetic PCOS patients who conceived while taking metformin and different ovulation‐inducing agents comprised the sample group. Twenty‐nine of them continued metformin throughout pregnancy and 30 did not. The main outcome measure was development of gestational diabetes in women with PCOS and their fetal outcome.

Results:  Basic parameters such as age, body mass index, levels of follicle‐stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone, free testosterone, dihydroepiandrosterone sulfate, fasting sugar and fasting insulin did not differ between the two groups. Among 29 women who received metformin, gestational diabetes developed during one of 29 pregnancies (3.44%) versus nine of 30 pregnancies (30%) without metformin. The odds ratio for gestational diabetes in women without metformin versus with metformin was 12 (95% confidence interval: 6.20–18.08). All babies born in the metformin group had average birthweight and those in the control group 4 (13.33%) were large for date.

Conclusion:  In PCOS use of metformin throughout pregnancy is associated with and might be responsible for a ninefold reduction (30–3.44%) of gestational diabetes.
Effects of variable phytochemistry and budbreak phenology on defoliation of aspen during a forest tent caterpillar outbreak
Authors: Donaldson Jack R. , Lindroth Richard L.
Published: September 2008

1 The present study assessed the relationship between clonally variable rates of defoliation in trembling aspen (Populus tremuloidesMichx.) and two potential resistance traits: defensive chemistry and leaf phenology.

2 In 2001, coincident with a major outbreak of the forest tent caterpillar (Malacosoma disstriaHubner) in the northcentral U.S.A., we monitored defoliation rates, phytochemical composition, and foliar development in 30 clones of trembling aspen. Leaf chemistry was also assessed in re‐flushed leaves and 2 years post‐outbreak.

3 Early in the season, differences in defoliation among clones were substantial but, by mid‐June, all clones were completely defoliated. Leaf nitrogen, condensed tannins, and phenolic glycosides varied among clones but did not relate to defoliation levels. Budbreak phenology differed by 3 weeks among clones and clones that broke bud early or late relative to forest tent caterpillar eclosion experienced reduced rates of defoliation.

4 Defoliation led to increased tannins and slight decreases in phenolic glycoside concentrations in damaged leaf remnants, but to moderately decreased tannins and a six‐fold increase in phenolic glycosides in reflushed leaves. This shift in chemical composition may significantly affect late season herbivores.

5 These results suggest that aspen chemical resistance mechanisms are ineffective during intense episodic eruptions of outbreak folivores such as the forest tent caterpillar. Variable budbreak phenology may lead to differential susceptibility during less intense outbreak years and, at peak forest tent caterpillar population densities, mechanisms affording tolerance are probably more important than chemical defences.
An evaluation of methods for assessing the impacts of Bt‐maize MON810 cultivation and pyrethroid insecticide use on Auchenorrhyncha (planthoppers and leafhoppers)
Authors: Rauschen Stefan , Eckert Jörg , Schaarschmidt Frank , Schuphan Ingolf , Gathmann Achim
Published: September 2008

1 Auchenorrhyncha (Planthoppers and Leafhoppers) are not only pests of many crops, but they are also nontarget organisms with respect to Bt‐protein expressing genetically modified plants. As herbivorous arthropods, planthoppers and leafhoppers ingest Cry proteins depending on their feeding behaviour. Consequently, they are directly exposed to these entomotoxic proteins and can also serve as a source of Cry protein exposure to predatory arthropods. Therefore, it is reasonable to use Auchenorrhyncha in the risk assessment of genetically modified crops.

2 During a 2‐year field study, we evaluated four different methods in terms of their feasibility to assess the impacts of plant‐incorporated protectants from Bt‐maize and of insecticide use on this group of arthropods. Visual assessment of plants, sweep netting, yellow traps and custom made sticky traps were utilized in field plots of Bt‐maize MON810, untreated near‐isogenic maize and insecticide‐treated near‐isogenic maize and were compared with respect to their capability to reflect the diversity and abundance of Auchenorrhyncha species.

3 Zyginidia scutellaris (Herrich‐Schäffer) (Cicadomorpha: Cicadellidae) represented more than 94% of all captured individuals in both years. The analysis of Z. scutellaris data showed no consistent differences between Bt‐maize MON810 and the untreated near isogenic hybrid, demonstrating no negative impact of MON810 on this species. Insecticide treatment, on the other hand, was not equivalent to the isogenic maize in terms of Z. scutellaris densities. Based on the collected data and on practical considerations, we recommend the combined use of transect‐wise sweep netting and sticky traps for the sampling of Auchenorrhyncha in maize.
Differential responses of three Agriotes click beetle species to pheromone traps
Authors: Hicks Helen , Blackshaw Rod P.
Published: September 2008

1 Previous work had suggested that adult male click beetles (Agriotes spp.) show differential responses to species specific pheromone traps. This hypothesis was tested using mark–release–recapture methods to estimate the maximum sampling range and the effective sampling area of traps for three species.

2 Captured beetles of the species Agriotes lineatus, Agriotes obscurus and Agriotes sputator were marked to show the direction of release, the distance of the release point from the trap and the replicate. Analysis of variance showed that there were significant differences in recapture rates between species and release distances. There were no significant differences between release direction and replicates.

3 Calculated linear speeds suggested differences in movement rates in the order: A. lineatus > A. obscurus > A. sputator. There were also substantial differences between the species in the maximum sampling ranges and effective sampling areas of the traps. These placed the species in the same order.

4 The results are used to estimate the minimum cost of mass trapping programmes to prevent males from mating, giving values of €165/ha/year (A. lineatus), €247.5/ha/year (A. obscurus) and €2343/ha/year (A. sputator).

5 Implications for the use of pheromone traps in wireworm pest management are discussed. It is concluded that current U.K. recommendations based on the cumulative total catch of the three species over a sampling season can be improved by considering the spatial relationships between the adult trapping system and larval distribution. The current constraint to this is the general inability to separate wireworms into species.
Identification of genes transcribed by Haemophilus parasuis in necrotic porcine lung through the selective capture of transcribed sequences (SCOTS)
Authors: Jin Hui , Wan Yun , Zhou Rui , Li Liangjun , Luo Rui , Zhang Sihua , Hu Junyong , Langford Paul R. , Chen Huanchun
Published: September 2008

Haemophilus parasuis is the aetiological agent of Glässer's disease, which has received more attention in the past decade due to the increasing economic losses in the pig industry worldwide. Little is known about the mechanisms by which H. parasuis survives in the host. In this study, selective capture of transcribed sequences (SCOTS) was used to identify H. parasuis genes upregulated in necrotic porcine lung 7 days post infection. Thirty‐eight genes were identified that were upregulated during infection of the lung tissue of pigs, compared with growth in culture medium. In two examples chosen gene expression was not confined to the lungs, there being variation between tissues. The data support biofilm formation being an important mode of growth for colonization and/or persistence. Results from the in vitro studies suggest that, as for other pathogens, iron and oxygen restriction and heat stress are important environmental signals to regulate gene expression. This study has identified genes of H. parasuis that are upregulated during infection of porcine lung tissue as compared with in vitro growth conditions.
EDUCATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP SELECTION AND PERFORMANCE: A REVIEW OF THE EMPIRICAL LITERATURE
Authors: Van Der Sluis Justin , Van Praag Mirjam , Vijverberg Wim
Published: September 2008

Abstract This paper provides a review of empirical studies into the impact of formal schooling on entrepreneurship selection and performance in industrial countries. We describe the main effects found in the literature, we explain the variance in results across almost a hundred studies, and we put the empirical results in the context of related economic theory and the much further developed literature in labor economics (studying the rate of return to education among wage employees). Five main conclusions result from this meta‐analysis. First, the impact of education on selection into entrepreneurship is insignificant. Second, the effect of education on performance is positive and significant. Third, the return to a marginal year of schooling is 6.1% for an entrepreneur. Fourth, the effect of education on earnings is smaller for entrepreneurs than for employees in Europe, but larger in the USA. Fifth, the returns to schooling in entrepreneurship are higher in the USA than in Europe, higher for females than for males, and lower for non‐whites or immigrants. In conclusion, we offer a number of suggestions to move the research frontier in this area of inquiry. The entrepreneurship literature on education can benefit from the technical sophistication used to estimate the returns to schooling for employees.
“Rousers of the Rabble” in the New Mexico Land Grant War: La Alianza Federal De Mercedes and the Violence of the State
Authors: Correia David
Published: September 2008

Abstract:  This paper examines the patterns of state‐sponsored and state‐tolerated violence directed at a social movement organization in New Mexico known as La Alianza Federal de Mercedes during the 1960s and 1970s. Beginning in the 1960s, Alianza mobilized a broad‐based movement of Chicano activists and Hispano land grant communities to advocate the return of lands they claimed had been stolen following the Mexican American War of 1846–1848. As a result, its leaders and many of its members became targets of law enforcement surveillance programs and counterintelligence operations. In this paper I examine the patterns of surveillance and physical violence directed at Alianza members. Confronted by Alianza's challenge to racial inequality and economic injustice, the state construed Alianza as a generalized, and racialized, threat to social order that required in response the use of coercive control and physical violence.
Rotational grazing adoption in cattle production under a cost‐share agreement: does uncertainty have a role in conservation technology adoption?
Authors: Kim Seon‐Ae , Gillespie Jeffrey M. , Paudel Krishna P.
Published: September 2008

Rotational grazing has been promoted as a best management practice with environmental benefits and associated higher revenue. Its adoption rate has been relatively low. This study investigates the role of uncertainty in the adoption of rotational grazing with a cost‐share by cattle producers. Mail survey results indicate that 63–71 per cent of cattle producers are uncertain about adoption with a government cost‐share. The study suggests that the possibility of uncertainty should be considered in cases where willingness‐to‐pay is elicited in the context of adoption of technology.