bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An appraisal of soil organic C content in Mediterranean agricultural soils
Authors: Romanyà J. , Rovira P.
Published: May 2011

Low soil organic carbon (SOC) levels in dry areas can affect soil functions and may thus indicate soil degradation. This study assesses the significance of SOC content in Mediterranean arable soils based on the analysis of a broad data set of 2613 soils sampled from Mediterranean grasslands and agricultural land. The distribution in values of SOC, pH, clay and carbonates was analysed according to different climatic areas (semi‐arid, Mediterranean temperate, Mediterranean continental and Atlantic) and with respect to six different land uses (grassland, cereal crops, olives and nuts, vineyards, fruit trees and vegetable gardens). The general trend was for low SOC in arable land and decreased with aridity. In wet areas (Atlantic and Mediterranean continental), acidic soils had a higher SOC content than did calcareous soils, whereas in the Mediterranean temperate area SOC had little relationship to soil pH. In low SOC arable soils, the SOC content was related to clay content. In calcareous arable soils of the Mediterranean temperate zone, SOC content was more closely related to carbonates than to clay. In contrast to the Atlantic area, Mediterranean grassland soils had much lower amounts of SOC than forest soils. Mediterranean calcareous and temperate acidic soils under grassland had SOC‐to‐clay ratios similar to or only slightly greater than that under a crop regime. In contrast, Mediterranean continental acidic soils under grassland had a much higher SOC‐to‐clay ratio than arable soils. This suggests a low resilience of the Mediterranean temperate and calcareous arable soils in terms of SOC recovery after the secession of ploughing, which may be a result of intensive use of these soils over many centuries. Consequently, we hypothesize that the Mediterranean calcareous soils have undergone significant changes that are not readily reversed after ploughing ceases. Such changes may be related to alterations in soil aggregation and porosity which, in turn, are associated with soil carbonate dynamics. Decarbonation processes (the depletion of active carbonates) may therefore be relevant to the reclamation of highly calcareous arable soils through fostering soil re‐aggregation. The article concludes by discussing the suitability of zero tillage, manuring or the introduction of woody species to increase SOC in calcareous arable soils that are highly depleted of organic matter.
MATCHING PAST AND PRESENT CERAMIC PRODUCTION IN THE BANDA AREA (GHANA): IMPROVING THE ANALYTICAL PERFORMANCE OF NEUTRON ACTIVATION ANALYSIS IN ARCHAEOLOGY USING MULTIVARIATE ANALYSIS TECHNIQUES*
Authors: PIZARRO C. , PÉREZ‐DEL‐NOTARIO N. , SÁENZ‐GONZÁLEZ C. , RODRÍGUEZ‐TECEDOR S. , GONZÁLEZ‐SÁIZ J. M.
Published: May 2011

The transfer of advances in chemometrics into archaeometric research opens up a wide range of new application possibilities in this rapidly developing field. Neutron activation analysis (NAA) of ceramic samples from the Banda Traditional Area (west‐central Ghana) combined with chemometrics allowed us to establish a link between current and ancient systems of ceramics production in the historic settlements of Kuulo Kataa and Makala Kataa. Principal component analysis (PCA) and the soft independent modelling of class analogy (SIMCA) method were applied to the Das Dores Cruz data set in order to unequivocally determine the geographical origin of the diverse archaeological samples. After global autoscaling pretreatment, PCA analysis showed a clear difference between samples from different locations. The classification models obtained by SIMCA showed a classification ability of 100% and a prediction ability of 97.7%, with a mean sensitivity of 84% and a specificity of 100% for the three categories. The application of SIMCA showed that some NAA variables (elements) were more important than others in terms of geographical classification. With the class models that we obtained, we were able to determine the origin of the ancient remains. SIMCA has proved to be a powerful technique for the class modelling of archaeological data.
In vitro and in vivo characterization of PF‐04418948, a novel, potent and selective prostaglandin EP2 receptor antagonist
Authors: af Forselles KJ , Root J , Clarke T , Davey D , Aughton K , Dack K , Pullen N
Published: May 2011

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Studies of the role of the prostaglandin EP2 receptor) have been limited by the availability of potent and selective antagonist tools. Here we describe the in vitro/in vivo pharmacological characterization of a novel EP2 receptor antagonist, PF‐04418948 (1‐(4‐fluorobenzoyl)‐3‐{[(6‐methoxy‐2‐naphthyl)oxy]methyl} azetidine‐3‐carboxylic acid).

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Functional antagonist potency was assessed in cell‐based systems expressing human EP2 receptors and native tissue preparations from human, dog and mouse. The selectivity of PF‐04418948 was assessed against related receptors and a panel of GPCRs, ion channels and enzymes. The ability of PF‐04418948 to pharmacologically block EP2 receptor function in vivo was tested in rats.

KEY RESULTS PF‐04418948 inhibited prostaglandin E2 (PGE2)‐induced increase in cAMP in cells expressing EP2 receptors with a functional KB value of 1.8 nM. In human myometrium, PF‐04418948 produced a parallel, rightward shift of the butaprost‐induced inhibition of the contractions induced by electrical field stimulation with an apparent KB of 5.4 nM. In dog bronchiole and mouse trachea, PF‐04418948 produced parallel rightward shifts of the PGE2‐induced relaxation curve with a KB of 2.5 nM and an apparent KB of 1.3 nM respectively. Reversal of the PGE2‐induced relaxation in the mouse trachea by PF‐04418948 produced an IC50 value of 2.7 nM. Given orally, PF‐04418948 attenuated the butaprost‐induced cutaneous blood flow response in rats. PF‐04418948 was selective for EP2 receptors over homologous and unrelated receptors, enzymes and channels.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS PF‐04418948 is an orally active, potent and selective surmountable EP2 receptor antagonist that should aid further elaboration of EP2 receptor function.

LINKED ARTICLE This article is commented on by Birrell and Nials, pp. 1845–1846 of this issue. To view this commentary visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1476‐5381.2011.01494.x
The physical mechanism of cuticular color in Phelotrupes auratus (Coleoptera, Geotrupidae)
Authors: AKAMINE Mayumi , ISHIKAWA Ken , MAEKAWA Kiyoto , KON Masahiro
Published: May 2011

The physical mechanism of cuticular color in Phelotrupes auratus was investigated by polarized inspection, spectrophotometry and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). No color change was observed when viewed through either a right‐ or left‐handed circular polarizer. Further, under the incidence of linearly polarized light, the reflected intensity was markedly reduced when observed through a linear polarizer set with its optical axis perpendicular to that of the incident light. These results indicate that P. auratus does not possess any circularly polarizing reflectors. TEM observations revealed a total of ten or twelve thin layers (about 60–120 nm in thickness) of two types of material (electron‐dense and electron‐lucent) alternately stacked in the epicuticle. The thickness of the layers in the different color forms of the beetle corresponded to the peak wavelengths in the reflectance spectra, λmax(α), with thicker layers found in beetles exhibiting reflectance peaks at longer wavelengths and vice versa. Based on these findings, we concluded that all the cuticular color forms of P. auratus were not produced by a circularly polarizing reflector but by a simple multilayer reflector.
Field observation of predation on a turtle by a giant water bug
Authors: OHBA Shin‐ya
Published: May 2011

The giant water bug, subfamily Lethocerinae, which has the largest body size among Belostomatidae, is known to be a vertebrate specialist that preys upon fish, amphibians and snakes. However, there have been no reports concerning predation on a turtle by Lethocerinae. Here, I report that a male giant water bug Kirkaldyia (Lethocerus) deyrolli (Heteroptera: Belostomatidae) (58.09 mm in total length) was catching hold of a turtle Chinemys reevesii (34.14 mm in carapace length) in a ditch adjoining a paddy rice field. This is a first report of K. deyrolli eating a turtle.
What are the consequences of infection by the introduced parasite Philometroides sanguineus for threatened crucian carp Carassius carassius populations in England?
Authors: Pegg Josephine , Williams Chris F. , Cucherousset Julien , Britton J. Robert
Published: May 2011

Abstract –  Nonnative parasites have the potential to detrimentally affect naïve hosts, resulting in negative consequences for their growth, condition and energetics. Here, the effect of the introduced parasitic nematode Philometroides sanguineus on crucian carp Carassius carassius populations in England was investigated. Populations of C. carassius populations are increasingly spatially restricted in England and under increasing threat from habitat loss and hybridisation. Parasite prevalence across 6 infected populations was <27% and, generally, there was no significant relationship between levels of infection and fish length and age. Parasite abundance ranged between 1 and 8 nematodes and was not significantly related to fish length and age. Comparison of the growth, body weight and condition, and energy reserves between infected and noninfected C. carassius revealed infection did not incur significant detrimental impacts on these parameters. Whilst this suggests that infection had only minimal impacts on the examined host fish, this may have been a consequence of a low proportion of fish <100 mm in samples (i.e., size‐selective effects) and some tests did suffer from low statistical power because of, for example, unbalanced sample sizes. It does, however, suggest that P. sanguineus may not be a major threat to the status of these C. carassius populations and infection by introduced parasites may not always incur significant impacts in naïve fishes.
Construct validity and factor structure of Tamil version of Beck Cognitive Insight Scale to assess cognitive insight of patients with schizophrenia
Authors: Merlin Thanka Jemi , Rajkumar Anto P. , Reema S. , Tsheringla Sherab , Velvizhi S. , Jacob K. S.
Published: May 2011

Objective: The ability to reflect rationally on one's own anomalous experiences and to recognise that their conclusions are incorrect is called as cognitive insight. It influences the delusion proneness of patients with schizophrenia. Structured instruments to assess cognitive insight have not been validated in any Indian languages so far. Hence, we aimed to evaluate the validity and factor structure of Tamil version of Beck Cognitive Insight Scale (BCIS-T).

Methods: One hundred and fifty consecutive patients with schizophrenia completed BCIS-T. We assessed their clinical insight with the reference standard, Schedule for Assessment of Insight-Expanded version (SAI-E). An independent psychiatrist evaluated their psychopathology using Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS).

Results: BCIS-T was internally consistent with Cronbach's α 0.67 and Guttman's split-half coefficient as 0.63. BCIS-T composite index documented convergent validity with SAI-E total score (ρ = 0.38; p < 0.001) and discriminant validity with BPRS (ρ = −0.02; p = 0.85). Factor analysis showed a four-factor structure, namely self-certainty, self-reflectiveness, openness to external feedback and infallibility of self-reflection. BCIS-T composite index had significant linear relationship with clinical insight and treatment compliance on multivariate analyses (p < 0.01).

Conclusion: Our findings support the validity of BCIS-T to assess cognitive insight of the patients with schizophrenia. We suggest addressing the intricacies of cognitive insight beyond the traditional two-dimensional models in cross-cultural settings.
Cross-Sex Hormone Therapy Alters the Serum Lipid Profile: A Retrospective Cohort Study in 169 Transsexuals
Authors: Ott Johannes , Aust Stefanie , Promberger Regina , Huber Johannes C. , Kaufmann Ulrike
Published: May 2011

Introduction

Cross-sex hormone therapy (CSHT) is known to lead to alterations in the serum lipid profile. However, the available reports in the literature are problematic, because of methodological limitations. AIMS: To assess changes in the fasting serum lipid profile during CSHT, including long-term follow-up.

Methods

Retrospective chart analysis of all 89 male-to-female (MtF) and 80 female-to-male (FtM) transsexuals who underwent standard CSHT at the Department of Gynecologic Endocrinology of the Medical University of Vienna (university hospital, tertiary care center), from 1995 to 2009.

Main Outcome Measures

The results of the lipid profile were analyzed, including triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and the TC-to-HDL ratio, at the time of treatment initiation (time point “0”) and at 3, 12, 24, and 60 months after the start of CSHT.

Results

The mean age of patients about to commence CSHT was 35.7 ± 11.4 years (MtF) and 26.0 ± 6.3 years (FtM). For MtF transsexuals, consistent follow-up for 24 and 60 months was available in 83 (93.3%) and 58 (65.2%) patients, respectively; for FtM transsexuals, follow-up was available in 57 (71.3%) and 39 (48.8%) patients, respectively. When testing for an association between the lipid parameters and the time after treatment initiation, significant increases for TG (P < 0.001), TC (P = 0.021), and HDL (P = 0.001) were found for MtF transsexuals, whereas TG, TC, and LDL (P < 0.001) increased and HDL (P < 0.001) decreased in FtM patients.

Conclusion

Both MtF and FtM transsexuals experience alterations in the serum lipid profile because of CSHT, with the changes in FtM patients possibly more relevant in terms of atherogenesis.
A Surprising Finding Related to Executive Control in a Patient Sample of Hypersexual Men
Authors: Reid Rory C. , Garos Sheila , Carpenter Bruce N. , Coleman Eli
Published: May 2011

Introduction

Patients seeking help for hypersexual behavior often exhibit features of impulsivity, cognitive rigidity, and poor judgment as well as deficits in emotion regulation and excessive preoccupation with sex. Some of these characteristics are also common among patients presenting with neurological pathology associated with executive dysfunction. Exploring relationships between dysregulated sexual behavior and executive deficits will enhance our understanding of hypersexuality.

Aim

This study sought to assess whether patients seeking help for hypersexual behavior exhibit executive deficits as measured by standardized neuropsychological tests of executive functioning when compared with healthy controls.

Methods

Executive deficits were assessed in a sample of male patients (N = 30) seeking help for hypersexual behavior compared with a nonhypersexual community sample of men (N = 30) using neuropsychological tests of executive functioning. Using multivariate statistics, differences between the groups were examined.

Main Outcome Measures

Sexual activity measured by the Hypersexual Behavior Inventory and the Compulsive Sexual Behavior Inventory. Executive functions measured through neuropsychological testing using several subtests of Delis–Kaplan Executive Function System: Color–Word Interference Test, the Tower Test, the Trail Making Test, the Verbal Fluency Test, as well as the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test. Psychopathology was assessed using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview, and cognitive ability was assessed using the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale.

Results

Significant differences on measures of hypersexuality were observed. However, the groups failed to exhibit significant differences across neuropsychological tests of executive functioning even after controlling for cognitive ability.

Conclusions

These results contradict a previous finding of executive deficits among hypersexual men measured by self-report. The lack of executive deficits suggests that this population may exhibit domain-specific aspects of impulsivity, poor judgment, and risky behavior that are not generalizable to other domains of life. Furthermore, our findings fail to support a conceptualization of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition, proposed hypersexual disorder based on models of executive dysfunction.
Impaired Erectile Function in CD73-Deficient Mice with Reduced Endogenous Penile Adenosine Production
Authors: Wen Jiaming , Dai Yingbo , Zhang Yujin , Zhang Weiru , Kellems Rodney E. , Xia Yang
Published: May 2011

Introduction

Adenosine has been implicated in normal and abnormal penile erection. However, a direct role of endogenous adenosine in erectile physiology and pathology has not been established.

Aim

To determine the functional role of endogenous adenosine production in erectile function.

Methods

CD73-deficient mice (CD73–/–) and age-matched wild-type (WT) mice were used. Some WT mice were treated with alpha, beta-methylene adenosine diphosphate (ADP) (APCP), a CD73-specific inhibitor. High-performance liquid chromatography was used to measure adenosine levels in mouse penile tissues. In vivo assessment of intracorporal pressure (ICP) normalized to mean arterial pressure (MAP) in response to electrical stimulation (ES) of the cavernous nerve was used.

Main Outcome Measurement

The main outcome measures of this study were the in vivo assessment of initiation and maintenance of penile erection in WT mice and mice with deficiency in CD73 (ecto-5′-nucleotidase), a key cell-surface enzyme to produce extracellular adenosine.

Results

Endogenous adenosine levels were elevated in the erected state induced by ES of cavernous nerve compared to the flaccid state in WT mice but not in CD73–/– mice. At cellular levels, we identified that CD73 was highly expressed in the neuronal, endothelial cells, and vascular smooth muscle cells in mouse penis. Functionally, we found that the ratio of ES-induced ICP to MAP in CD73–/– mice was reduced from 0.48 ± 0.03 to 0.33 ± 0.05 and ES-induced slope was reduced from 0.30 ± 0.13 mm Hg/s to 0.15 ± 0.05 mm Hg/s (both P < 0.05). The ratio of ES-induced ICP to MAP in APCP-treated WT mice was reduced from 0.49 ± 0.03 to 0.38 ± 0.06 and ES-induced slope was reduced from 0.29 ± 0.11 mm Hg/s to 0.19 ± 0.04 mm Hg/s (both P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Overall, our findings demonstrate that CD73-dependent production of endogenous adenosine plays a direct role in initiation and maintenance of penile erection.
The Subjective Sexual Arousal Scale for Men (SSASM): Preliminary Development and Psychometric Validation of a Multidimensional Measure of Subjective Male Sexual Arousal
Authors: Althof Stanley E. , Perelman Michael A. , Rosen Raymond C.
Published: May 2011

Introduction

Sexual arousal is a multifaceted process that involves both mental and physical components. No instrument has been developed and validated to assess subjective aspects of male sexual arousal.

Aim

To develop and psychometrically validate a self-administered scale for assessing subjective male sexual arousal.

Methods

Using recommendations of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidance on patient-reported outcome instruments, important aspects of male sexual arousal were identified via qualitative research (focus groups and interviews) of U.S. men with erectile dysfunction (ED) and healthy controls. After a preliminary questionnaire was developed by a panel of experts, a quantitative study of men with ED and controls was conducted to psychometrically validate the Subjective Sexual Arousal Scale for Men (SSASM).

Main Outcome Measures

To develop a male sexual arousal scale and determine its factor structure, reliability, and construct validity.

Results

Five aspects of male sexual arousal were identified from the qualitative focus groups and cognitive interviews. Men's preferred language for describing sexual arousal and preferred response formats were incorporated into the questions. Factor analysis of data from the quantitative study of 304 men aged 21 to 70 years identified five domains with eigenvalues >1: sexual performance (six items), mental satisfaction (five items), sexual assertiveness (three items), partner communication (three items), and partner relationship (three items). The five domains had a high degree of internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha values 0.88–0.94). Test–retest reliability over a 2- to 4-week period was high–moderately high (r values 0.75–0.88) for the five domain scores. Correlations between SSASM domain scores and standardized scale scores for social desirability, general health, life satisfaction, and sexual function demonstrated the construct validity of the scale.

Conclusions

Preliminary validation data suggest that the 20-item SSASM scale may be useful as a multidimensional, reliable, self-administered instrument for assessing subjective sexual arousal in men of different ages.
Legal Mobilization on the Terrain of the State: Creating a Field of Immigrant Rights Lawyering in France and the United States
Authors: Kawar Leila
Published: May 2011

Scholarship on law and social movements has focused attention primarily on the United States, and secondarily on countries that share the Anglo‐American legal tradition. The politics of law and social movements in other national legal contexts remains underexamined. The analysis in this article contrasts legal mobilizations for immigrant rights in France and the United States, and explores the relations between national fields of power and legal practices. I trace the institutionalization of immigrant rights legal organizations in each country and argue that the divergent organizational forms and litigation strategies adopted by professionalized movement organizations reflect the dynamics of the nationally distinct fields of power relations within which law reform has been conducted. My analysis links the material and symbolic resources available to law reformers to the relative authority of private and public juridical actors in each state.
Resolving Problems among Neighbors in Post‐Soviet Russia: Uncovering the Norms of the Pod”ezd
Authors: Hendley Kathryn
Published: May 2011

The article presents findings from a qualitative study of how Russians deal with neighbors who have leaked water onto them. In the Russian context, this is neither an uncommon nor a small problem. Building on US‐based studies of neighborhood relations, the article lays out three alternative strategies: avoidance, self‐help, and third‐party intervention. The Russian participants lived in close proximity to one another and had little opportunity for exit. The study documents a strong preference for self‐help, confirming the potency of the relational distance hypothesis for Russia. In contrast to their US counterparts, the Russian participants' lack of exit did not give rise to more intense and prolonged disputes. The findings suggest that there is a strong informal norm in favor of neighbors resolving disputes among themselves and that the residents who share common entryways (pod”ezdy) work out the parameters of acceptable behavior over time. These informal norms shape Russians' legal consciousness.
Courting Compliance: Case Managers as “Double Agents” in the Mental Health Court
Authors: Castellano Ursula
Published: May 2011

An ethnographic study of four Midwest mental health courts was focused on how case managers influence the judicial response to offender noncompliance. Mental health courts, which bear little resemblance to traditional work group models, are staffed by teams of legal and social service professionals working collaboratively toward reducing recidivism and community reintegration for high‐risk offenders. Few studies, however, have explored how treatment providers practice their trade in this new court organization. I investigate how case management professionals, working at the intersections of the social welfare and criminal justice systems, leverage courtroom decision making that results in greater leniency or enhanced punishment. The findings suggest that mental‐health‐court case managers act as boundary spanners in terms of their strategic use of resources to facilitate treatment goals. I conclude that case managers act as “double agents” challenging the state to advocate for clemency while enforcing client rules to uphold the integrity of the court.
Correlations Among Social‐Cognitive Skills in Adolescents Involved in Acting or Arts Classes
Authors: Goldstein Thalia R.
Published: May 2011

Empathy, theory of mind, and adaptive emotion regulation are critical skills for social functioning. However, the ways in which these skills may co‐ or differentially develop has thus far been understudied. We explored how these social‐cognitive skills converge and diverge across a year of development in early adolescence, and with different kinds of arts training: the visual arts or music, and acting. Results show differential effects of acting versus other arts training, with the expected convergence for the artists and musicians but less convergence than predicted for the actors. Results are discussed in light of the cognitive effects of arts and acting training and social cognition as a field.
Oral antimicrobial use in outpatient cystic fibrosis pulmonary exacerbation management: a single‐center experience
Authors: Briggs Elissa Charlotte , Nguyen Thuan , Wall Michael Abraham , MacDonald Kelvin David
Published: May 2011

Introduction:  Cystic fibrosis (CF) pulmonary disease is characterized by intermittent episodes of acute lung symptoms known as ‘pulmonary exacerbations’. While exacerbations are classically treated with parenteral antimicrobials, oral antibiotics are often used in ‘mild’ cases.

Objectives:  We determined how often management progressed to intravenous (IV) therapy. We also examined multiple courses of oral antimicrobials within one exacerbation, and identified patient factors associated with unsuccessful treatment.

Methods:  We performed a retrospective chart audit of oral antibiotic use in CF patients, from March 2009 through March 2010, for ‘mild’ CF exacerbations.

Results:  Administration of a single vs multiple courses of oral antibiotics for treatment of ‘mild’ CF exacerbation avoided progression to IV therapy 79.8% and 50.0% of the time, respectively. Overall, oral antibiotics circumvented the need for IV therapy 73.8% of the time. Using multi‐variant analysis, we found multiple patient characteristics to be independent risk factors for oral antibiotic failure including a history of pseudomonas infection [odds ratio (OR) 2.13, confidence interval (CI) 1.29–3.54], CF‐related diabetes (OR 1.85, CI 1.00–3.41), allergic Bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (OR 3.81, CI 1.38–10.56), low socioeconomic status (OR 1.67, CI 1.04–2.67), and calculated baseline forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) <75% of predicted prior to an acute exacerbation (OR 1.93, CI 1.20–3.08). Decline in FEV1 > 10%, weight for age, body mass index, distance from the CF center and gender were not significant.

Conclusion:  Our observations suggest that one course of oral antimicrobials is frequently effective in outpatient CF pulmonary exacerbations but exacerbations requiring more than one course of oral antibiotics are likely to require IV therapy.

Please cite this paper as: Briggs EC, Nguyen T, Wall MC and MacDonald KD. Oral antimicrobial use in outpatient cystic fibrosis pulmonary exacerbation management: a single‐center experience. Clin Respir J 2012; 6: 56–64.
Kakusan4 and Aminosan: two programs for comparing nonpartitioned, proportional and separate models for combined molecular phylogenetic analyses of multilocus sequence data
Authors: TANABE AKIFUMI S.
Published: May 2011

Proportional and separate models able to apply different combination of substitution rate matrix (SRM) and among‐site rate variation model (ASRVM) to each locus are frequently used in phylogenetic studies of multilocus data. A proportional model assumes that branch lengths are proportional among partitions and a separate model assumes that each partition has an independent set of branch lengths. However, the selection from among nonpartitioned (i.e., a common combination of models is applied to all‐loci concatenated sequences), proportional and separate models is usually based on the researcher's preference rather than on any information criteria. This study describes two programs, ‘Kakusan4’ (for DNA sequences) and ‘Aminosan’ (for amino‐acid sequences), which allow the selection of evolutionary models based on several types of information criteria. The programs can handle both multilocus and single‐locus data, in addition to providing an easy‐to‐use wizard interface and a noninteractive command line interface. In the case of multilocus data, SRMs and ASRVMs are compared at each locus and at all‐loci concatenated sequences, after which nonpartitioned, proportional and separate models are compared based on information criteria. The programs also provide model configuration files for mrbayes, paup*, phyml, raxml and Treefinder to support further phylogenetic analysis using a selected model. When likelihoods are optimized by Treefinder, the best‐fit models were found to differ depending on the data set. Furthermore, differences in the information criteria among nonpartitioned, proportional and separate models were much larger than those among the nonpartitioned models. These findings suggest that selecting from nonpartitioned, proportional and separate models results in a better phylogenetic tree. Kakusan4 and Aminosan are available at http://www.fifthdimension.jp/. They are licensed under gnugpl Ver.2, and are able to run on Windows, MacOS X and Linux.
Field guide to next‐generation DNA sequencers
Authors: GLENN TRAVIS C.
Published: May 2011

The diversity of available 2nd and 3rd generation DNA sequencing platforms is increasing rapidly. Costs for these systems range from <$100 000 to more than $1 000 000, with instrument run times ranging from minutes to weeks. Extensive trade‐offs exist among these platforms. I summarize the major characteristics of each commercially available platform to enable direct comparisons. In terms of cost per megabase (Mb) of sequence, the Illumina and SOLiD platforms are clearly superior (≤$0.10/Mb vs. >$10/Mb for 454 and some Ion Torrent chips). In terms of cost per nonmultiplexed sample and instrument run time, the Pacific Biosciences and Ion Torrent platforms excel, with the 454 GS Junior and Illumina MiSeq also notable in this regard. All platforms allow multiplexing of samples, but details of library preparation, experimental design and data analysis can constrain the options. The wide range of characteristics among available platforms provides opportunities both to conduct groundbreaking studies and to waste money on scales that were previously infeasible. Thus, careful thought about the desired characteristics of these systems is warranted before purchasing or using any of them. Updated information from this guide will be maintained at: http://dna.uga.edu/ and http://tomato.biol.trinity.edu/blog/.
Analysing recombination in nucleotide sequences
Authors: MARTIN DARREN P. , LEMEY PHILIPPE , POSADA DAVID
Published: May 2011

Throughout the living world, genetic recombination and nucleotide substitution are the primary processes that create the genetic variation upon which natural selection acts. Just as analyses of substitution patterns can reveal a great deal about evolution, so too can analyses of recombination. Evidence of genetic recombination within the genomes of apparently asexual species can equate with evidence of cryptic sexuality. In sexually reproducing species, nonrandom patterns of sequence exchange can provide direct evidence of population subdivisions that prevent certain individuals from mating. Although an interesting topic in its own right, an important reason for analysing recombination is to account for its potentially disruptive influences on various phylogenetic‐based molecular evolution analyses. Specifically, the evolutionary histories of recombinant sequences cannot be accurately described by standard bifurcating phylogenetic trees. Taking recombination into account can therefore be pivotal to the success of selection, molecular clock and various other analyses that require adequate modelling of shared ancestry and draw increased power from accurately inferred phylogenetic trees. Here, we review various computational approaches to studying recombination and provide guidelines both on how to gain insights into this important evolutionary process and on how it can be properly accounted for during molecular evolution studies.
Rapid development and screening of microsatellite loci for Artibeus lituratus and their utility for six related species within Phyllostomidae
Authors: McCULLOCH EVE S. , STEVENS RICHARD D.
Published: May 2011

Microsatellites are often the marker of choice for population genetic studies at intermediate spatial and temporal scales. Developing large numbers of markers has traditionally been technically difficult, and this has limited our ability to investigate evolutionary phenomena that emerge across short temporal scales. Moreover, few markers tend to successfully amplify across species boundaries. As rapid advancements in high‐throughput sequencing make microsatellite development cost‐ and time‐effective, new avenues for evolutionary, population genetic and chromosome linkage mapping research are emerging. We used a published PERL script and second‐generation sequencing to rapidly and affordably develop microsatellite loci for a widespread phyllostomid bat, Artibeus lituratus, for which no markers were previously available. We used Roche FLX (Titanium) Genome Sequencing to randomly sequence ∼101 Mb (255 065 unique reads) of genomic DNA for A. lituratus, within which we discovered 30 100 microsatellite loci. We designed primers for 19 395 loci that contained suitable flanking regions. We ordered primers for 96 loci, 90 of which produced a single PCR product in A. lituratus. We genotyped 52 loci, and 45 were polymorphic in A. lituratus. We tested cross‐species amplification for 96 loci in six additional phyllostomid species: A. planirostris, A. fimbriatus, A. phaeotis, Enchisthenes hartii, Sturnira lilium, and Carollia perspicillata. Cross‐species amplification was successful for at least one species for 87 loci (A. fimbriatus), and in all species, at least 66 loci were amplified. These markers will not only facilitate future work on these seven species, but also illustrate the utility of this high‐throughput method for development of primers across many species simultaneously.
Suppression of α5 gene expression is closely related to the tumorigenic properties of uveal melanoma cell lines
Authors: Landreville Solange , Vigneault François , Bergeron Marjorie‐Allison , Leclerc Steeve , Gaudreault Manon , Morcos Mohib , Mouriaux Frédéric , Salesse Christian , Guérin Sylvain L.
Published: May 2011

Cancer aggressiveness is related to the ability of cancer cells to escape the anchorage dependency toward the extracellular matrix, a process regulated by the integrin α5β1 and its ligand fibronectin. Here, we characterized the expression of the α5 gene in human uveal melanoma cell lines with distinct tumorigenic properties and investigated some of the mechanisms underlying the variations of their malignancy. Strong and weak expression of α5 was observed in cells with no (T108/T115) and high (T97/T98) tumorigenic properties, respectively. Expression and DNA binding of the transcription factors Sp1, activator protein 1 (AP‐1) (both acting as activators), and nuclear factor I (NFI) (a strong repressor) to the α5 promoter were demonstrated in all cell lines. A reduced expression of AP‐1 combined with a dramatic increase in NFI correlated with the suppression of α5 expression in T97 and T98 cells. Restoring α5 expression in T97 cells entirely abolished their tumorigenicity in immunodeficient mice. These uveal melanoma cell lines might therefore prove particularly useful as cellular models to investigate α5β1 function in the pathogenesis of invasive uveal melanoma.
The role of visual evoked potential and electroretinography in the preoperative assessment of osteo‐keratoprosthesis or osteo‐odonto‐keratoprosthesis surgery
Authors: de Araujo Aline L. , Charoenrook Victor , de la Paz Maria F. , Temprano Jose , Barraquer Rafael I. , Michael Ralph
Published: May 2011

Purpose:  To determine the value of electroretinography (ERG) and visual evoked potential (VEP) in predicting visual outcome in patients undergoing osteo‐keratoprosthesis (OKP) or osteo‐odonto‐keratoprosthesis (OOKP) surgery.

Methods:  We performed a retrospective cohort study of 143 eyes in 101 patients who underwent OKP or OOKP surgery. The subjects underwent ERG, VEP testing or both up to 6 months prior to surgery. The ERG and VEP results were classified into four categories based on wave amplitude, latency and configuration. The main outcome was the maximum best‐corrected visual acuity (maxBCVA) reached at any time postoperatively.

Results:  One hundred thirty‐four cases had undergone preoperative ERG, 82 VEP and 73 both examinations. The sensitivities of ERG and VEP to detect maxBCVA ≥ 0.05 were 68.5% and 87%, respectively, while the specificity was 63.2% for ERG and 47.4% for VEP. The maxBCVA was significantly better in patients with normal ERG (p = 0.033) and those with normal VEP (p = 0.048), once having defined appropriate normal and abnormal cut‐off levels. When comparing fellow eyes in patients who underwent surgery in both eyes, maxBCVA was better in the eyes that had better VEP results (p = 0.013).

Conclusion:  Eyes demonstrating normal ERG or VEP achieved better visual outcome than those with abnormal results. In addition, VEP proved instrumental in determining the eye with the best prognosis when comparing both eyes of a given patient.
Transretinal uveal melanoma biopsy with 25‐gauge vitrectomy system
Authors: Abi‐Ayad Neil , Grange Jean‐Daniel , Salle Monique , Kodjikian Laurent
Published: May 2011

Purpose:  To evaluate the efficacy and the safety of uveal melanoma transretinal biopsy using 25‐gauge vitrectomy system.

Methods:  At the patient’s request of a tissue diagnosis, nine posterior uveal melanomas treated by proton‐beam therapy were biopsied during the insertion of tantalium markers.

Results:  The diagnosis was uveal melanoma, confirmed in all cases using cytological (7 of 9) and histological analysis (2 of 9). Immunocytochemistry was performed on all samples (9 of 9). In eight of nine patients, minor postoperative vitreous haemorrhages were seen, which resolved in 1 day. No other ocular complications were noticed.

Conclusion:  Uveal melanoma biopsy using 25‐gauge vitrectomy system is a valuable procedure to confirm the diagnosis, with adequate sample and low ocular morbidity.
Structure activity relationship, acute toxicity and cytotoxicity of antimycobacterial neolignan analogues
Authors: de Souza Ana Olívia , Alderete Joel Bernabé , Minarini Paulo Roberto Regazi , da Silva Melo Patrícia , Ferreira Iasmin , Barata Lauro Euclides Soares , Silva Célio Lopes
Published: May 2011

Objectives

The study's aims were to evaluate the antimycobacterial activity of 13 synthetic neolignan analogues and to perform structure activity relationship analysis (SAR). The cytotoxicity of the compound 2-phenoxy-1-phenylethanone (LS-2, 1) in mammalian cells, such as the acute toxicity in mice, was also evaluated.

Methods

The extra and intracellular antimycobacterial activity was evaluated on Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv. Cytotoxicity studies were performed using V79 cells, J774 macrophages and rat hepatocytes. Additionally, the in-vivo acute toxicity was tested in mice. The SAR analysis was performed by Principal Component Analysis (PCA).

Key findings

Among the 13 analogues tested, LS-2 (1) was the most effective, showing promising antimycobacterial activity and very low cytotoxicity in V79 cells and in J774 macrophages, while no toxicity was observed in rat hepatocytes. The selectivity index (SI) of LS-2 (1) was 91 and the calculated LD50 was 1870 mg/kg, highlighting the very low toxicity in mice. SAR analysis showed that the highest electrophilicity and the lowest molar volume are physical-chemical characteristics important for the antimycobacterial activity of the LS-2 (1).

Conclusions

LS-2 (1) showed promising antimycobacterial activity and very weak cytotoxicity in cell culture, as well as an absence of toxicity in primary culture of hepatocytes. In the acute toxicity study there was an indication of absence of toxicity on murine models, in vivo.
Design of clinically useful macromolecular iron chelators
Authors: Zhou Tao , Winkelmann Günther , Dai Zhi-Yuan , Hider Robert C
Published: May 2011

Objectives

In recent years, macromolecular iron chelators have received increasing attention as human therapeutic agents. The objectives of this article are: one, to discuss the factors which should be considered when designing iron binding macromolecules as human therapeutic agents, and two, to report recent achievements in the design and synthesis of appropriate macromolecular chelators that have resulted in the production of a number of agents with therapeutic potential.

Key findings

Macromolecular drugs exhibit unique pharmaceutical properties that are fundamentally different from their traditional small-molecule counterparts. By virtue of their high-molecular-weight characteristics, many are confined to extracellular compartments, for instance, the serum and the gastrointestinal tract. In addition, they have potential for topical administration. Consequently, these macromolecular drugs are free from many of the toxic effects that are associated with their low-molecular-weight analogues.

The design and synthesis of macromolecular iron chelators provides a novel aspect to chelation therapy. 3-Hydroxypyridin-4-one hexadentate-based macromolecular chelators have considerable potential for the development of new treatments for iron overload and for topical treatment of infection.
Multivesicular liposome (MVL) sustained delivery of a novel synthetic cationic GnRH antagonist for prostate cancer treatment
Authors: Wang Tao , Gao Lijun , Quan Dongqin
Published: May 2011

Objectives

Multivesicular liposomes (MVLs) are often used as an appropriate carrier for delivering peptides due to high drug loading, relative stability and extended-release behaviour. However, when cationic amphipathic peptides are involved, some challenges may be encountered, including instability of multiple emulsions due to interaction between peptides and lipid membranes (electrostatic and hydrophobic interaction). LXT-101, a cationic amphipathic peptide, is a novel antagonist of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) for prostate cancer treatment. The purpose of the current research was to explore simple methods of determining the interaction between peptide and lipid bilayer and to prepare MVLs of LXT-101 (DepoLXT-101) by the modified DepoFoam technique.

Methods

The anionic surfactants were added in the process of DepoLXT-101 preparation in order to minimize the effect of instability resulting from cationic peptides.

Key findings

DepoLXT-101 was obtained with good efficiency and reproduction. The integrity of encapsulated peptide was maintained as shown by RP-HPLC. DepoLXT-101 particles were characterized by morphology and particle size distribution and in-vitro release was also investigated. The release behaviour in vitro in medium of sodium chloride at 37°C showed that 70–90% of LXT-101 was released slowly from MVLparticles over 11 days. According to the fitting results of Ritgar-Pepps model, the in-vitro release of DepoLXT-101 was mainly governed by Fick's diffusion.

Conclusions

The data obtained from in-vivo study indicated that a sustained anticancer effect can be achieved over a 7-day period with subcutaneous administration of DepoLXT-101 in rats.
Topical anti-inflammatory effect of hypocholesterolaemic drugs
Authors: Bracht Lívia , Caparroz-Assef Silvana Martins , Magon Thiago Ferreira dos Santos , Ritter Alessandra Mileni Versuti , Cuman Roberto Kenji Nakamura , Bersani-Amado Ciomar Aparecida
Published: May 2011

Objectives

The topical anti-inflammatory effect of simvastatin, atorvastatin, pravastatin, ezetimibe and combined ezetimibe + simvastatin was investigated, using the croton oil model of ear oedema in mice.

Methods

Simvastatin, atorvastatin, pravastatin, ezetimibe and ezetimibe + simvastatin combination (dissolved in 20 µl of 70% acetone) were topically applied simultaneously with croton oil (200 µg/ear, dissolved in 20 µl of 70% acetone) at the inner surface of each ear. Ear oedema and myeloperoxidase activity, indicative of polymorphonuclear cell migration, were assessed 6 h after inflammatory stimuli.

Key findings

It was found that statins can act as topical anti-inflammatories, but the pharmacological effect is dependent on statin polarity. At 0.3 mg/ear inhibition of ear oedema was 79%, 67% and 40% for simvastatin, atorvastatin and pravastatin, respectively. Simvastatin and atorvastatin also remarkably diminished myeloperoxidase activity, even at low concentrations (0.03 mg/ear). Pravastatin, the most polar statin, however, did not cause any reduction in ear oedema or myeloperoxidase activity at low doses. The order of topical anti-inflammatory activity was pravastatin < < < atorvastatin ≤ simvastatin. Ezetimibe, another hypocholesterolaemic drug, also presented anti-inflammatory effects, inhibiting ear oedema by 64% at 0.3 mg/ear. However, when used in combination with simvastatin, no further beneficial effect was observed.

Conclusions

These results consistently support current evidence showing that statins can be used for treatment of dermatological disorders. Polarity of the molecule, however, is a factor that should be considered before recommending use.
Instructional development for teachers in higher education: Effects on students’ perceptions of the teaching–learning environment
Authors: Stes Ann , De Maeyer Sven , Gijbels David , Van Petegem Peter
Published: May 2011

Background.  Although instructional development for teachers has become an important topic in higher education, little is known about its actual impact. In particular, evidence regarding the impact of teachers’ instructional development on students’ perceptions of the teaching–learning environment is scarce.

Aims.  The impact of an instructional development programme for beginning university teachers on students’ perceptions of the teaching and learning environment was investigated. We also explored whether this impact is dependent on class size and student level (first years vs. non‐first years).

Sample.  Quantitative data were gathered from more than 1,000 students at pre‐ and post‐tests, using a quasi‐experimental design.

Method.  A multi‐level analysis was conducted in which five models were estimated.

Results.  A basic model made clear that teachers did differ from each other with respect to the dependent variables concerned; however, differences in scale scores also resulted to a large extent from differences between students. A second model, in which the moderating impact by way of teacher characteristics, context, and student characteristics was not taken into account, reported no significant effect of training. A third model, examining the net impact of instructional development revealed some impact, which was, remarkably, negative. A first interaction model proved a differential impact of instructional development for teachers teaching first years and those teaching non‐first years. A second one showed that the impact of training depended on the number of students one teaches.

Conclusions.  Instructional development for teachers in higher education does not easily result in effects on students’ perceptions of the teaching and learning environment. Perspectives for further research into instructional development are discussed.