bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Leydig insulin‐like peptide
Authors: Adham I. M. , Burkhardt‐Göttges E. , Engel W.
Published: February 2011

We have isolated and sequenced the cDNA and gene coding for a novel member of the insulin‐like hormone superfamily. The gene is expressed exclusively in prenatal and postnatal Leydig cells and in postnatal ovary. We have tentatively proposed the name Leydig insulin‐like (Ley I‐L) for the gene and its encoded protein. The porcine Leydig insulin‐like protein is synthesized as a 131‐amino acid preproprotein, which contains a 24 amino acid signal peptide. Comparison of the deduced amino acid sequence of pro‐Leydig insulin‐like protein predicts that the biologically active protein, after proteolytic processing of the C‐peptide, consists of a 32 residue‐long B‐chain and a 26‐residue‐long A‐chain. Western blot analyses with antiserum against a synthetic oligopeptide containing the amino acid sequence of the B‐chain confirm the proteolytic processing of the pro‐Ley I‐L peptide. Furthermore, we describe here the initial analysis of the Ley I‐L gene promoter by transient gene transfer studies. We show that the sequence between −186 and +13 of the porcine Ley I‐L gene contains sufficient information to direct preferential expression of the chloramphenicol‐acetyltransferase (CAT) reporter gene in Leydig cells and sequences important for negative regulation of Ley I‐L promoter activity are contained in the region between −960 and −186.

Das Insulin‐ähnliche Peptid der Leydigzelle

Wir haben die cDNA und das Gen für ein bislang unbekanntes Insulin‐ähnliches Hormon isoliert und charakterisiert. Das Gen ist ausschließlich in pränatalen‐ und postnatalen Leydigzellen sowie im Ovar exprimiert. Das Gen hat die Bezeichnung Ley I‐L (Leydig Insulin Like) erhalten. Das Ley I‐L Protein wird als 131 Aminosäuren großes Präprotein synthetisiert, welches ein Signalpeptid aus 24 Aminosäuren enthält. Es ist anzunehmen, daß das biologisch aktive Ley I‐L Protein, nach Abspaltung des C‐Peptids, aus einer B‐Kette (32 Aminosäuren) und einer A‐Kette (26 Aminosäuren) besteht. Westernblot‐Analysen unter Verwendung eines Antiserums gegen ein synthetisches Oligopeptid der B‐Kette bestätigen diese Annahme. Wir berichten hier auch über unsere vorläufigen Analysen der Promotorregion des Ley I‐L Gens. Die Sequenz zwischen −186 bis +13 des Gens beinhaltet ausreichende Information für die präferentielle Expression des Chloramphenicolacetyltransferase Gens (CAT) als Reportergen in kultivierten Leydigzellen. Ferner sind Sequenzen nachweisbar (−960 bis −186), die für eine negative Regulation des Ley I‐L Gens in Frage kommen.
DNA replication occurs at the nuclear matrix
Authors: Sellke C. , Hanhua X. , Strätling W. H. , Phi‐van L.
Published: February 2011

Chromatin in eukaryotic cells is partitioned into loop‐domains by binding of MARs to the nuclear matrix. It is increasingly accepted that the replication event is attached to the nuclear matrix. In this study, chicken myelomonocytic HD 11 cells were synchronized at the G1/S phase boundary, and after release into the S phase, were immediately pulse‐labelled with 5‐bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU). The chromatin was then fractionated into the nuclear matrix and a solubilized fraction to determine the partitioning of BrdU in newly replicated DNA. We found that in early S phase‐synchronized cells newly replicated DNA was highly enriched in the nuclear matrix. This result indicates that origins of DNA replication in eukaryotic cells are attached at the nuclear matrix.

DNA‐Replikation ereignet sich an der Kernmatrix

Das eukaryotische Chromatin ist durch die Bindung von MARs an die Kernmatrix in schleifenartige Domainen organisiert. Es wird für wahrscheinlich gehalten, daß der Replikationsvorgang an die Kernmatrix gebunden ist. In dieser Untersuchung wurden myelomonozytische HD 11‐Zellen synchronisiert und am Beginn der S‐Phase mit 5‐Bromdesoxyuridin (BrdU) pulsmarkiert. Nach Fraktionierung des Chromatins in die Kernmatrix und eine lösliche Fraktion wurde die Verteilung von BrdU bestimmt. Zu Beginn der S‐Phase replizierte DNA in synchronisierten Zellen war in der Kernmatrix hoch angereichert. Das Ergebnis liefert somit einen weiteren Hinweis für eine Anheftung der Origins der DNA‐Replikation an die Kernmatrix.
Detection of QTL for body weight and body fat content in mice using genetic markers
Authors: Brockmann G. , Timtchenko D. , Das P. , Renne U. , Freyer G. , Kuhla S. , Teuscher F. , Wolf J. , Kühn C. , Schwerin M.
Published: February 2011

The aim of the project was the identification of quantitative trait loci (QTL) for body weight and body fat content. Using selected (Du6, Du6P) and randomly mated (DuKs) mouse lines with differences in body weight and abdominal fat content up to 100%, the study was carried out in three steps: (1) Line specific alleles were detected for DNA fingerprint banding patterns and equally spaced microsatellite markers. (2) Linkage analysis was performed in informative families generated by crosses between the lines to prove if the line specific allele distribution at single loci is the result of the selection process. The Maximum Likelihood test statistic (MLS) provided evidence for a QTL effecting growth on chromosome 11 (MLS = 7.6). A QTL responsible for abdominal fat content may be suggested on chromosome 3 (MLS = 2.7). (3) Expression analysis of the putative candidate genes Gh and Ap2 in the chromosomal regions with effect on the trait differentiation revealed no differences between the lines. Differences in the tissue specific gene expression levels between the lines were detected for the Gpd and the Igfl‐genes.

Nachweis von QTL für Körpermasse und Fettansatz in Mäusen unter Verwendung von genetischen Markern

Mit den Untersuchungen wurde das Ziel verfolgt, quantitative Merkmalsorte (QTL) für den Merkmalskomplex Körpergewicht und Fettansatz zu identifizieren. Unter Verwendung von selektierten (Du6, Du6P) und zufallsgepaarten (DuKs) Mauslinien, die sich in der Körpermasse und im Fettansatz bis zu 100% unterschieden, wurde die Studie in drei Schritten durchgeführt: (1) Mittels DNA Fingerprinting und Microsatellitenmarkern wurden im gesamten Genom Loci mit linientypischer Allelverteilung identifiziert. (2) In Kopplungsanalysen innerhalb informativer Familien aus Kreuzungen zwischen den Linien wurde getestet, ob die linientypischen Allele auf die Selektion zurückzuführen sind. Auf dem Chromosom 11 wurde ein QTL für Körpermasse (MLS = 7.6) und auf dem Chromosom 3 mit hoher Wahrscheinlichkeit ein QTL für Fettansatz (MLS = 2.7) identifiziert. (3) Die Analyse des Gh‐ und Ap2 Genes als putative Kandidatengene in den identifizierten Chromosomenregionen mit Effekt auf die Merkmalsausprägung zeigte keine Unterschiede. Gewebespezifische Unterschiede in der Genexpression wurden zwischen den Linien im Gpd‐ und Igf1‐Gen nachgewiesen.
Isolation of ES‐like cell lines from ovine and caprine preimplantation embryos
Authors: Meinecke‐Tillmann S. , Meinecke B.
Published: February 2011

Intact ovine and caprine d7/d8 blastocysts and inner cell masses, or embryonic discs (d10/d11) isolated mechanically were cultured under different conditions in order to establish which of the feeder cell types, medium supplements or developmental stages used are most suitable for the isolation of ES‐like cells in both species. Subcultures were most successful with isolated embryonic discs on inactivated bovine fetal liver fibroblasts, but ES‐like cells did not develop beyond the 44th passage. Morphological ES‐like cells were analyzed fluorescence microscopically after treatment with monoclonal antibodies against cytoskeleton markers or after marking with DBA‐ and PNA‐agglutinin. Cells were Cytokeratin 18‐ and DBA‐negative, but vimentin‐ and PNA‐positive. In suspension culture these cells developed embryoid body‐like structures, and following induced differentiation tubular structures and epithelial‐, fibroblast‐, and neuron‐like cells. ES‐like cells (> 10 passages) were analysed in the nuclear transfer assay. Initial development could be initiated, but development beyond the 12cell stage did not occur.

Isolierung ES‐ähnlicher Zellinien von ovinen und caprinen Embryonen der Präimplantationsphase

Intakte ovine und caprine d7/d8 Blastozysten und mechanisch isolierte Embryonalknoten oder Keimscheiben (d10/d11) wurden unter verschiedenen Bedingungen in vitro kultiviert, um festzustellen welche Nährzelltypen und Mediumzusätze und welche Entwicklungsstadien zur Isolierung ES‐ähnlicher Zellen beider Spezies besonders geeignet sind. Erfolgreiche Passagen stammzellähnlicher Zellen konnten besonders bei Kokultivierung mit inaktivierten fetalen bovinen Leberfibroblasten durchgeführt werden, wobei ES‐ähnliche Zellinien etabliert wurden, die sich jedoch nicht über die 44. Passage hinaus in vitro entwickelten. Es erwies sich als vorteilhaft, isolierte Keimscheiben als Ausgangsstadium einzusetzen. Die vitalzytologisch als ES‐ähnlich eingestuften Zellen wurden mit monoklonalen AK gegen Zytoskelettmarker oder mit DBA‐ und PNA‐Agglutinin markiert und fluoreszenzmikroskopisch analysiert. Sie erwiesen sich als Zytokeratin 18‐ und DBA‐negativ, jedoch Vimentin‐ und PNA‐positiv. In Suspensionskultur entwickelten sich von diesen Zellen ‘embryoid body'‐ähnliche Strukturen und als Folge einer induzierten Differenzierung tubuläre Strukturen und epithel‐, fibroblasten‐ und neuronenähnliche Zellen. Bei einer Überprüsfung der in vitro etablierten stammzellähnlichen Zellen (< 10 Passagen) nach Kerntransfer, kam es nur gelegentlich zu einer Initiierung von Furchungen, doch wurde das 12Zellstadium nicht überschritten.
Heritabilities of racing performance in Thoroughbreds: a study of Australian data
Authors: Williamson S. A. , Beilharz R. G.
Published: February 2011

An analysis is described using heritability estimates for racing performance in the Australian Thoroughbred, calculated using the complete race results of two recent years. A number of methods, some new, for assessing racing performance were used. The results confirm that heritability for racing performance is high, with the estimates ranging to above 0.6. This value is somewhat higher than that obtained in overseas studies, although when the same measures are analysed, the estimates found are comparable.

Rather than just dismissing these estimates as too high, a number of factors which may affect their size, both upwards and downwards, are discussed. The conclusions reached are that high estimates are probably real and are compatible with a constantly selected population if the selection practised is not accurate. Furthermore, the danger (or folly) of striving to lower the estimates obtained by the utilization of more sophisticated statistical processes, without proper consideration for the biological nature of the characters being studied, nor indeed their precise definition, is highlighted.

Hentabilität von Rennerfolg in Vollblütern: Eine Analyse australischer Daten

Anhand von den gesammten Daten über Ergebnisse von Galopprennen in ganz Australien in zwei der letzten Jahren wurde Heritabilität von Rennerfolg geschätzt. Verschiedene Methoden den Rennerfolg zu messen wurden benützt, darunter auch neue. Die Analyse bestätigt daß Heritabilität von Rennerfolg hoch ist, einige Schätzwerte liegen über 0.6. Diese Werte sind etwas höher als übliche Werte in der Literatur, aber wo die gleichen Messmethoden benützt wurden sind unsere Werte mit denen der Literatur vergleichbar.

Ohne diese Schätzwerte als zu hoch abzuwerten, diskutieren wir Faktoren welche Schätzwerte in ihrer Größe beeinflussen können, nach oben wie nach unten. Wir ziehen den Schluß, daß hohe Schätzwerte für Heritabilität von Rennerfolg wahrscheinlich den richtigen Sachverhalt darstellen. Dieser ist mit einer Population unter ständigem Selektionsdruck vereinbar wenn die Selektion nicht akkurat ist. Weiterhin wird die Gefahr beleuchtet, die in Versuchen besteht, Schätzwerte der Heritabität durch sophistische statistische Methoden zu mindern, wenn man die eigentlichen biologischen Sachverhalte der analysierten Merkmale nur ungenau kennt.
Effect of short‐term feeding duration of diets containing commercial whole‐cell yeast or yeast subcomponents on immune function and disease resistance in channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus
Authors: Welker T. L. , Lim C. , Yildirim‐Aksoy M. , Klesius P. H.
Published: February 2011

Juvenile channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, were fed diets supplemented with yeast or yeast subcomponents (YYS) as commercial preparations of β‐glucan (MacroGard® and Betagard A®), mannan oligosaccharide (Bio‐Mos® Aqua Grade), or whole‐cell Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Levucell SB20®) at the manufacturers’ recommended levels. Fish were fed experimental diets for 1 or 2 weeks prior to disease challenge (pre‐challenge feeding periods) and sampled at the end of each feeding period to measure haematological and immune parameters and to determine the effects of dietary YYS on resistance to Edwardsiella ictaluri, the causative agent of enteric septicaemia disease (ESC). Feeding of experimental diets continued for 3 weeks post‐challenge. In channel catfish fed diets supplemented with MacroGard®, Betagard A®, or Levucell SB20®, survival in the 1 week pre‐challenge feeding group and antibody titres in the 2 week feeding group were significantly higher post‐E. ictaluri challenge in relation to catfish fed with the control diet. In fish fed these same three diets, survival to ESC was significantly higher after 1 week vs. 2 weeks feeding, while the antibody response was significantly higher after 2 weeks vs. 1 week. Lysozyme activity was also higher in the 1 week feeding group, but the increased activity was unrelated to diet. Feeding YYS‐supplemented diets for a shorter duration of 1 week prior to challenge may prove beneficial in increasing resistance to ESC in channel catfish. However, we cannot discount that feeding YYS diets during the recovery period may have contributed to ‘glucan overload’ and reduced survival in the 2 week feeding group.
Coordinated gene expression in adipose tissue and liver differs between cows with high or low NEFA concentrations in early lactation
Authors: van Dorland H. A. , Sadri H. , Morel I. , Bruckmaier R. M.
Published: February 2011

Dairy cows with high and low plasma non‐esterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentrations in early lactation were compared for plasma parameters and mRNA expression of genes in liver and subcutaneous adipose tissue. The study involved 16 multiparous dairy cows with a plasma NEFA concentration of >500 μmol/l [n = 8, high NEFA (HNEFA)] and <140 μmol/l [n = 8, low NEFA (LNEFA)] in the first week post‐partum (pp). Blood samples, adipose and liver tissues were collected on day 1 (+1d) and at week 3 pp (+3wk). Blood plasma was assayed for concentrations of metabolites and hormones. Subcutaneous adipose and liver tissues were analysed for mRNA abundance by real‐time qRT‐PCR encoding parameters related to lipid metabolism. Results showed that mean daily milk yield and milk fat quantity were higher in HNEFA than in LNEFA cows (p < 0.01), and the NEB was more negative in HNEFA than in LNEFA in +3wk too (p < 0.05). HNEFA cows had slightly lower (p < 0.1) insulin concentrations than LNEFA cows across the study period, and the body condition score decreased more from +1d to +3wk in HNEFA than in LNEFA (p = 0.09). The mRNA abundance of genes in the liver related to fatty acid oxidation (carnitine palmitoyltransferase 2 and very long chain acyl‐coenzyme A dehydrogenase) and ketogenesis (3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl‐coenzyme A synthase 2) were lower in HNEFA than in LNEFA cows. No differences between the two groups were observed for mRNA expression of genes in adipose tissue. The number of calculated significant correlation coefficients (moderately strong) between parameters in the liver and in adipose tissue was nearly similar on +1d, and higher for HNEFA compared with LNEFA cows in +3wk. In conclusion, dairy cows with high compared with low plasma NEFA concentrations in early lactation show differentially synchronized mRNA expression of genes in adipose tissue and liver in +3wk that suggests a different orchestrated homeorhetic regulation of lipid metabolism.
Generation of marker‐free, bacterial blight‐resistant transgenic sterile line and hybrid rice with Xa21
Authors: Gao Lifen , Xia Zhihui , Jiang Guanghuai , Peng Hai , Zhao Xianfeng , Zhai Wenxue
Published: February 2011

With 6 figures and 4 tables

Bacterial blight (BB) of rice caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) is a major production constraint in commercial hybrid rice production because most of the parental lines used in hybrid production are susceptible to Xoo. In this study, the cloned BB resistance gene Xa21 was transferred into ‘D62B’, a maintainer line of three‐line indica hybrid rice using the double right‐border vector pDRBXa21 through an Agrobacterium tumefaciens‐mediated system. Molecular and resistance analysis revealed that Xa21 was integrated into the genome of transgenic ‘D62B’, and the homozygous, single‐copy and marker‐free maintainer line D62B‐Xa21 was obtained in the T2 generation. D62B‐Xa21 was then backcrossed with ‘D62A’ to produce a homozygous transgenic sterile line D62A‐Xa21. The introduction of Xa21 did not cause any obvious alteration to sterility and other agronomic traits of the sterile line through iodine–potassium iodide (I2/KI) staining of pollen grains and field observation. Reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction revealed a normal expression pattern of the Xa21 gene in the transgenic lines. The hybrid combinations derived from D62A‐Xa21 could inherit high resistance to BB.
Induction of Parturition with Aglepristone in the Majorera Goat
Authors: Batista M , Reyes R , Santana M , Alamo D , Vilar J , González F , Cabrera F , Gracia A
Published: February 2011

Contents

This study assessed the efficacy of aglepristone at inducing parturition in pregnant goats. Six experimental groups were defined: group A‐5 (n = 12), group A‐3.3 (n = 12), group A‐2.5 (n = 12) and group A‐1.5 (n = 12) in which goats were injected SC once with 5.0, 3.3, 2.5 and 1.5 mg of aglepristone per kg body weight of goat, respectively, group L (n = 11), which was treated IM with 3.75 mg of luprostiol; and group Ct (n = 11), which was injected SC with 1 ml of saline solution. Different parameters associated with parturition were thereafter investigated. In addition, plasma progesterone concentrations were defined after treatments till parturition. Aglepristone effectively induced parturition in all of the goats. In the A‐5, A‐3.3 and A‐2.5 groups, the time to parturition was around 30–34 h, and the majority of goats (97.2%, 35/36) started kidding between 25 and 40 h after the aglepristone injection. However, the goats in group A‐1.5 showed a significantly (p < 0.01) higher time to parturition (mean: 46.8 h). Overall, the incidence of dystocia registered in aglepristone‐induced goats (20.8%, 10/48) and luprostiol‐induced goats was not different from that observed after a spontaneous parturition. The percentage of live kids was very similar between A‐5, A‐3.3, A.2.5 and L groups (95.7, 95.3, 95.0 and 96.3%, respectively) but was higher that observed in the control (83.4%) and A‐1.5 (81.2%) groups. In addition, no maternal mortality was registered in any groups. No changes in plasma progesterone were observed during the first 24 h after treatment, and high plasma progesterone concentrations were present at kidding (6.7, 5.5, 4.5 and 3.6 ng/ml for groups A‐5, A‐3.3, A‐2.5 and A‐1.5, respectively), confirming that aglepristone does not induce parturition via luteolysis. This study demonstrates that aglepristone can be used to induce parturition in goats with satisfactory efficacy, inducing pregnancy termination without direct or immediate modifications of luteal function.
Role of fine needle aspiration cytology in the preoperative investigation of branchial cysts
Authors: Slater Jacqueline , Serpell Jonathan W. , Woodruff Stacey , Grodski Simon
Published: February 2011

Background:  Successful preoperative diagnosis of a branchial cyst requires a systematic approach. The aim of this study was to evaluate methods of investigation of a lateral neck swelling suspicious for a branchial cyst, and to highlight cases where a less benign cause for the swelling should be suspected and therefore management altered appropriately.

Methods:  A retrospective case study of 24 patients with presumed branchial cysts managed operatively was undertaken. Demographic, clinical, imaging, cytology and histopathological data were analysed to formulate an approach to the work‐up of a lateral neck swelling suspected to be a branchial cyst.

Results:  All 24 patients presented with a lateral neck mass thought to be a branchial cyst preoperatively underwent preoperative fine‐needle aspiration cytology. The overall accuracy of cytology in predicting a benign branchial cyst histopathologically was 83.3% (20 out of 24).

Conclusion:  Successful preoperative diagnosis of a branchial cyst requires a combination of imaging and cytology. If there is concern that a lateral neck swelling is not a branchial cyst on clinical, imaging or cytological features, then a full preoperative work‐up, including computed tomography scan of the neck and upper aero‐digestive tract endoscopy should be performed, prior to an excisional biopsy.
Diagnostic lobectomy is not routinely required to exclude malignancy in thyroid nodules greater than four centimetres
Authors: Raj Mariolyn D. , Grodski Simon , Woodruff Stacey , Yeung Meei , Paul Eldho , Serpell Jonathan W.
Published: February 2011

Background:  Surgical excision has been recommended as a diagnostic test for thyroid nodules ≥4 cm, due to the supposedly higher rate of cancer in larger nodules and the higher reported false‐negative rates of fine‐needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) testing (>10%). The aims of this study are to determine the prevalence of thyroid cancer in nodules ≥4 cm, to examine if a relationship between increasing nodule size and malignancy rate was present and to study the accuracy of preoperative FNAC diagnosis.

Methods:  Retrospective analysis of data from patients with thyroid nodules ≥4 cm undergoing surgical resection between 1994 and 2008. Malignancy rates, cytology results and indications for surgery were analysed.

Results:  A total of 223 patients with thyroid nodules ≥4 cm underwent thyroid resection between 1994 and 2008. The overall prevalence of thyroid cancer was 7.2% (95% confidence interval (CI): 4.2–11.4%). The malignancy rate did not vary significantly with increasing nodule size. The sensitivity of FNAC was 93.8% (95% CI: 69.8–99.8%), while the specificity of FNAC was 62.2% (95% CI: 54.9–69.2%). The most common indicator for surgery was compression symptoms. A positive FNAC test was the most significant indicator of underlying malignancy, with a likelihood ratio of 2.5 (95% CI: 2.0–3.1).

Conclusions:  Many patients with large thyroid nodules undergo thyroidectomy for symptom relief alone, regardless of their FNAC results. In such patients where other clinical indicators for thyroidectomy are not present, a benign FNAC result can reassure both patient and surgeon that mandatory surgical excision is not needed to exclude malignancy.
Nasal septum malignancy
Authors: Ho Yiu M. , Coman William B.
Published: February 2011

Introduction:  Malignancies of the nasal septum are rare diseases and fewer than 400 cases were reported. The understanding of the disease is limited due to its rarity.

Methods:  We present a series of patients with nasal septum malignancies, who were referred to the Princess Alexandra Hospital, Ear, Nose and Throat Department from 2007 to 2010.

Results:  Seventeen patients were found to have nasal septum malignancies. The average age was 59.5 years old (range: 36 to 83 years old). The commonest initial symptom on presentation was nasal obstruction (nine out of 17, 53%), seconded by epistaxis (eight out of 17, 47%). The average time from the initial onset of symptoms to presentation averaged 18.8 months (range: 1 to 48 months). The commonest physical finding on presentation was nasal masses (11 out of 17, 65%), followed by nasal septum ulcers (four out of 17, 24%). The histology of the lesions was predominantly squamous cell carcinoma. The mean duration of follow‐up was 24.7 months. The overall 3‐year survival was 81.9% with the relapse free survival 66.7%.

Discussion:  Nasal septum malignancies are highly treatable with good prognoses when in early stages. They required high degree of suspicion to be detected early. Treatment options include surgical resection and radiotherapy and they offered similar 3‐year survival rate. Combined therapy is adopted in larger tumours; however, it is not verified with randomized trials. Vigilant follow‐up is vital to detect early recurrence, which is common in advanced stage lesions.
Predicting weight using postmenstrual age – neonates to adults
Authors: Sumpter Anita L , Holford Nick H. G.
Published: February 2011

Objectives:  To describe the pattern and variability of body weight with postmenstrual age (PMA) using nonlinear mixed effect modeling and to create a single mathematical function that can be used from prematurity to adulthood.

Background:  PMA has been shown to predict functional properties of humans such as glomerular filtration rate and drug clearance. Widely used growth charts use postnatal age to predict weight in an idealized population and are not available as a mathematical function.

Methods:  We modeled 7164 body weight and PMA observations from a pooled database of 5031 premature neonates, infants, children, and adults. All subjects were participants in pharmacokinetic or renal function studies. PMA ranged from 23 weeks to 82 years. A mixed effect model was used to describe fixed (PMA, sex) and random between‐subject variability.

Results:  A model based on the sum of three sigmoid hyperbolic and one exponential functions described the data. Females were typically 12% lighter in weight. Part of the between‐subject variability in weight decreased exponentially with a half‐life of 3.5 PMA years, while the remainder stayed a constant fraction of the weight asymptote for each of the four functions.

Conclusions:  The change of weight with PMA and sex can be described with a simple equation. This is suitable for simulation of typical weight–age distributions and may be useful for evaluation of appropriate weight for age in children requiring medical treatment.
Botulinum A toxin as a treatment for overactive rectum with associated faecal incontinence
Authors: Bridoux V. , Gourcerol G. , Kianifard B. , Touchais J.‐Y. , Ducrotte P. , Leroi A.‐M. , Michot F. , Tuech J.‐J.
Published: February 2011

Aim  Rectal hypercontractility can lead to faecal incontinence (FI). Botulinum toxin (BT) has been used successfully for the treatment of bladder overactivity. This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic value of intrarectal injections of BT in inhibiting colorectal contractions and relieving FI in patients suffering from FI as a result of overactive rectal contractions.

Method  A prospective open study was carried out in Rouen University Hospital. Six patients (four men and two women) with severe FI related to overactive rectal contractions underwent intrarectal submucosal injections of BT placed in three rows of 10, 1‐ml injections (50 U/1 ml; Dysport®) starting 1 cm above the dentate line and repeated twice, at intervals of 5 cm proximally. The end‐points included improvement in the FI score, in faecal incontinence quality of life (FIQL) and of manometric abnormality.

Results  All patients reported improvement in the FI score [18.2 ± 1.1 at baseline vs 9.0 ± 1.7 at 3 months (P = 0.04)] and in FIQL. Rectal contractile activity was reduced. The frequency of contractions remained unaffected (28.1 ± 6.6/h; P = 0.46 vs baseline). High‐amplitude contractions of > 50 cmH2O were significantly decreased in all patients (16.6 ± 3.9 vs 6.6 ± 4.1/h; P = 0.03).

Conclusion  Patients with an ‘overactive rectum’ are a heterogeneous group, with varying causes of dysfunction. The dose of BT used was arbitrarily selected. Nevertheless, the study introduces a further therapeutic option in the treatment of FI caused by rectal overactivity.
The non‐hierarchical, non‐uniformly branching topology of a leuconoid sponge aquiferous system revealed by 3D reconstruction and morphometrics using corrosion casting and X‐ray microtomography
Authors: Hammel Jörg U. , Filatov Maxim V. , Herzen Julia , Beckmann Felix , Kaandorp Jaap A. , Nickel Michael
Published: February 2011

Hammel, J.U., Filatov, M.V., Herzen, J, Beckmann, F., Kaandorp, J.A. and Nickel M. 2011. The non‐hierarchical, non‐uniformly branching topology of a leuconoid sponge aquiferous system revealed by 3D reconstruction and morphometrics using corrosion casting and X‐ray microtomography. —Acta Zoologica (Stockholm) 00:1–12.

As sessile filter feeders, sponges rely on a highly efficient fluid transport system. Their physiology depends on efficient water exchange, which is performed by the aquiferous system. This prominent poriferan anatomical character represents a dense network of incurrent and excurrent canals on which we lack detailed 3D models. To overcome this, we investigated the complex leucon‐type architecture in the demosponge Tethya wilhelma using corrosion casting, microtomography, and 3D reconstructions. Our integrative qualitative and quantitative approach allowed us to create, for the first time, high‐resolution 3D representations of entire canal systems which were used for detailed geometric and morphometric measurements. Canal diameters lack distinct size classes, and bifurcations are non‐uniformly ramified. A relatively high number of bifurcations show previously unknown and atypical cross‐sectional area ratios. Scaling properties and topological patterns of the canals indicate a more complex overall architecture than previously assumed. As a consequence, it might be more convenient to group canals into functional units rather than hierarchical clusters. Our data qualify the leucon canal system architecture of T. wilhelma as a highly efficient fluid transport system adapted toward minimal flow resistance. Our results and approach are relevant for a better understanding of sponge biology and cultivation techniques.
A framework to develop a clinical learning culture in health facilities: ideas from the literature
Authors: Henderson A. , Briggs J. , Schoonbeek S. , Paterson K.
Published: February 2011

HENDERSON A., BRIGGS J., SCHOONBEEK S., & PATERSON K. (2011) A framework to develop a clinical learning culture in health facilities: ideas from the literature. International Nursing Review58, 196–202

Background:  Internationally, there is an increase in demand to educate nurses within the clinical practice environment. Clinical practice settings that encourage teaching and learning during episodes of care delivery can be powerful in educating both the existing nursing workforce and nursing students.

Aim:  This paper presents a framework, informed by the literature, that identifies the key factors that are needed to encourage the interactions fundamental to learning in clinical practice.

Key concepts:  Learning occurs when nurses demonstrate good practice, share their knowledge through conversations and discussions, and also provide feedback to learners, such as students and novices. These types of interactions occur when positive leadership practices encourage trust and openness between staff; when the management team provides sessions for staff to learn how to interact with learners, and also when partnerships provide support and guidance around learning in the workplace.

Application of concepts:  This framework presents how the concepts of leadership, management and partnership interact to create and sustain learning environments. The feedback from proposed measurement tools can provide valuable information about the positive and negative aspects of these concepts in the clinical learning environment. Analysis of the subscales can assist in identifying appropriate recommended strategies outlined in the framework to guide nurses in improving the recognized deficits in the relationship between the concepts.

Conclusion:  Leadership, management and partnerships are pivotal for the creation and maintenance of positive learning environments. Diagnostic measurement tools can provide specific information about weaknesses across these areas. This knowledge can guide future initiatives.
Towards an ecosystem approach to fisheries in Europe: a perspective on existing progress and future directions
Authors: Jennings Simon , Rice Jake
Published: February 2011

European countries are committed to adopting an ecosystem approach. These commitments are expected to influence the forthcoming reform of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and thus progress towards implementing an ecosystem approach to fisheries (EAF). We suggest that the major impediments to adopting an EAF in the current CFP are the low specificity and incompatibility of environmental, social and economic objectives, no agreed guidance on the priority to be given to objectives when trade‐offs have to be made, a decision‐making system that is strongly influenced by short‐term national interests, and low societal and political will to pay the high short‐term costs of making the transition to sustainability. Notwithstanding, a high‐level policy framework to support the ecosystem approach and EAF, along with many of the tools needed to support an operational system, is now emerging. The rate of progress towards an operational EAF following CFP reform will be influenced by the requirement for a reformed management system to help achieve Good Environmental Status for ecosystem components and attributes, in support of European policy for the marine environment (principally the Marine Strategy Framework Directive). However, the willingness and capacity of member states to meet high short‐term transition costs, the extent of their support for transferring tactical decision‐making to regional bodies and their views on acceptable transition rates are likely to have more influence on progress towards meeting the objectives of an EAF.
CAN FAMILISM BE JUSTIFIED?
Authors: CHENG KAM‐YUEN , MING THOMAS , LAI AARON
Published: February 2011

This paper argues against the continued practice of Confucian familism, even in its moderate form, in East Asian hospitals. According to moderate familism, a physician acting in concert with the patient's family may withhold diagnostic information from the patient, and may give it to the patient's family members without her prior approval. There are two main approaches to defend moderate familism: one argues that it can uphold patient's autonomy and protect her best interests; the other appeals to cultural relativism by construing the principle of ‘family autonomy’ to be incommensurable with that of individual autonomy. We respond to the first approach by explaining how the familist arguments either depend on some unreasonable assumptions or simply fail to articulate. The critique of the second approach is based on our recent survey showing that there is no dichotomy of relevant values between the East and the West: we believe that the result can effectively block the familist's reliance on certain traditional or cultural values to explain their resistance to the incorporation of pluralist values. Despite our disagreement with familism, we consider the Eastern emphasis on the family to be conducive to the communication between patient, family members and medical personnel, which is indispensible to the patient's well being and autonomy. We conclude that respect for patient autonomy is perfectly consistent with the involvement of the family in making medical decision as long as the family plays a merely consultant role.
‘BECAUSE WE SEE THEM NAKED' – NURSES’ EXPERIENCES IN CARING FOR HOSPITALIZED PATIENTS WITH DEMENTIA: CONSIDERING ARTIFICIAL NUTRITION OR HYDRATION (ANH)
Authors: BRYON ELS , DIERCKX DE CASTERLÉ BERNADETTE , GASTMANS CHRIS
Published: February 2011

The aim of this study was to explore and describe how Flemish nurses experience their involvement in the care of hospitalized patients with dementia, particularly in relation to artificial nutrition or hydration (ANH). We interviewed 21 hospital nurses who were carefully selected from nine hospitals in different regions of Flanders. ‘Being touched by the vulnerability of the demented patient’ was the central experience of the nurses, having great impact on them professionally as well as personally. This feeling can be described as encompassing the various stages of the care process: the nurses' initial meeting with the vulnerable patient; the intense decision‐making process, during which the nurses experienced several intense emotions influenced by supporting or hindering contextual factors; and the final coping process, a time when nurses came to terms with this challenging experience. From our examination of this care process, it is obvious that nurses' involvement in ANH decision‐making processes that concern patients with dementia is a difficult and ethically sensitive experience. On the one hand, the feeling of ‘being touched’ can imply strength, as it demonstrates that nurses are willing to provide good care. On the other hand, the feeling of ‘being touched’ can also imply weakness, as it makes nurses vulnerable to moral distress stemming from contextual influences. Therefore, nurses have to be supported as they carry out this ethically sensitive assignment. Practical implications are given.
AGAINST HOMEOPATHY – A UTILITARIAN PERSPECTIVE
Authors: SMITH KEVIN
Published: February 2011

I examine the positive and negative features of homeopathy from an ethical perspective. I consider: (a) several potentially beneficial features of homeopathy, including non‐invasiveness, cost‐effectiveness, holism, placebo benefits and agent autonomy; and (b) several potentially negative features of homeopathy, including failure to seek effective healthcare, wastage of resources, promulgation of false beliefs and a weakening of commitment to scientific medicine. A utilitarian analysis of the utilities and disutilities leads to the conclusion that homeopathy is ethically unacceptable and ought to be actively rejected by healthcare professionals.
Legitimate Speech and Hegemonic Idiom: The Limits of Deliberative Democracy in the Diversity of its Voices
Authors: Olson Kevin
Published: February 2011

This article locates tensions at the heart of deliberative democracy by contrasting insights of Pierre Bourdieu and Jürgen Habermas. It argues that deliberation contains implicit presuppositions of two opposing sorts. Universalising presuppositions lead people to treat one another as equals. Differentiating ones lead people to treat one another as of greater or lesser worth in political dialogue. They undercut deliberative democracy by rendering some points of view less valuable than others. These contrary tendencies cannot be reconciled in a purely theoretical way; they are contextually specific challenges that must be negotiated in politics itself. In response, this article seeks to clarify the difficulties faced by deliberative regimes and better understand their relation to other forms of politics.
Migration and Wage‐setting: Reassessing the Labor Market Effects of Migration*
Authors: Brücker Herbert , Jahn Elke J.
Published: February 2011

In this paper we employ a wage‐setting approach to analyze the labor market effects of immigration into Germany from 1980 to 2004. This enables us to consider labor market rigidities, which are prevalent in Europe. We find that the elasticity of the wage‐setting curve is particularly high for young workers. Moreover, natives and foreigners are imperfect substitutes. The wage and employment effects of immigration depend on the skill structure of the immigrant workforce. Because the foreign labor supply shift has mainly affected the high‐skilled labor market segment, the 4 percent increase of the workforce through immigration has not increased either aggregate or foreign unemployment.
Making Sense of Middle-Class Politics: A Secondary Analysis of the 1987 British General Election Survey
Authors: Savage Mike
Published: February 2011

In the past decade the Nuffield class schema has become the established way of operationalising social class measures in survey analyses. This paper carries out secondary analysis of the 1987 British General Election Survey to analyse the relationship between voting patterns and middle-class groups. It argues that the Nuffield class schema actually obstructs a proper understanding of the relationship between class and politics, and that in order to develop an adequate account of middle-class politics it is necessary to develop an alternative theoretical perspective drawing on the new sociology of the professions, and on the sociology of state formation. The paper concludes with some tentative remarks on the changing characteristics of middle-class politics.
The ‘Isolated Mass’ Revisited: Strikes in British Coal Mining
Authors: Church Roy , Outram Quentin , Smith David N.
Published: February 2011

The authors examine how far inter-colliery variations in local strike activity in Britain between the Wars can be explained by the characteristics of their immediate localities highlighted by Kerr and Siegel's ‘isolated mass’ theory. A regression analysis suggests that some of the variables indicated by Kerr and Siegel did affect strike activity but only weakly. A contingency table analysis confirms that some of the Kerr-Siegel variables serve to define groups of collieries which experienced significantly different levels of strike activity. Whilst supporting many of the criticisms levelled at the Kerr-Siegel hypothesis, the authors conclude that the empirically based rejection of the hypothesis has been too emphatic.
Evaluating and Rethinking the Case Study
Authors: Stoecker Randy
Published: February 2011

This paper will first explore briefly how the case study fell out of favour as a legitimate research tool, and how case study researchers responded to the critique that case study research lacked internal and external validity. Some case study advocates attempted to meet this critique by using the case to compare different theoretical predictions, dividing the case into subcases, or treating the case as an experiment. A more effective response distinguishes between ‘extensive’ and ‘intensive’ research designs, and critiques the extensive model. The paper then provides a clarification of purpose and a revived emphasis on theory, history, and intervention to develop the case study method. This paper will begin to construct a comprehensive case study methodology independent of the old critiques, and will show the crucial place which case studies must occupy in our craft.
Industrial Injuries in British Manufacturing Industry and Cyclical Effects: Continuities and Discontinuities in Industrial Injury Research
Authors: Nichols Theo
Published: February 2011

An article appeared in The Sociological Review for May 1990 by Steve Tombs that bore the same title as an earlier one by me (‘Industrial injuries in British manufacturing industry‘ May 1986) and which took as its starting point my ‘The business cycle and industrial injuries' which appeared in August 1989. It is argued here that Tombs's analysis does not represent the step forward that might have been hoped. It is for example extremely important in the analysis of industrial injury rates to pay careful attention to what injury rates of different degrees of severity might measure. Tombs's article is shown to be technically deficient in that he makes mistakes both of fact and interpretation in his treatment of the all reported (or minor) injury rate. Moreover, Tombs advances the claim – in the context of reference to ‘a pure “business cycle” argument a la Nichols' – that ‘a generalised discussion of [business] cycles obscures important aspects of the political economy within individual cycles. In particular, the strength of the labour movement is related to the incidence of accidents at work’. For the record, it is also spelt out below that this represents an unwarranted interpretation of my own position.
Black Political Mobilisation and the Struggle for Equality
Authors: Solomos John , Back Les
Published: February 2011

One of the most interesting aspects of recent debates in Britain about issues of race and ethnicity is that increasing attention is being given to the political dimension. Within both academic and social discourses there is growing awareness that we need to examine the role of politics in shaping public debate about key aspects of contemporary racial relations in British society.

It is as a result of this development that we are seeing the emergence of analyses of the role of black2 and ethnic minority political mobilisation. This aspect of racial relations in British society has been relatively neglected, and few studies have been conducted into the forms and impact of minority political mobilisation. But in recent years this issue has come to the fore in debates about race and related issues in British society.

This growing interest has given rise to a number of questions. In what ways can we talk about specific forms of black and ethnic forms of political mobilisation? What impact can black and ethnic political mobilisation have on the public policy agenda? How far is black political mobilisation overlaid by class? What role does representation in political institutions play in furthering the claims of black people to the fundamental rights of citizenship?

It is not possible to address all of these questions in this paper, but we shall attempt to tackle at least some of the key issues arising from recent debates. Additionally we shall also suggest that there are some issues that require more detailed investigation and research. This is particularly the case in the current ideological and political climate which has been shaped by the neo-conservative policies of the Thatcher administrations. With the end of Thatcher's prime ministership and the prospect of a closely fought General Election the question is raised: how far will her legacy continue to impact on the politics of race in the 1990s? This is an issue which we hope this paper will help to clarify.
Oppositional Poverty: The Quantitative/Qualitative Divide and other Dichotomies
Authors: McLaughlin Eithne
Published: February 2011

Despite increased recognition that the dichotomy between qualitative and quantitative approaches (and related dichotomies) may be less than useful, such divisions remain entrenched in the core social science disciplines. Theoretical and methodological attempts to move out of and beyond dichotomous frames of reference have not yet led to reconstruction of the social science enterprise. Application of Goody's analysis of the impact of literacy on human cognition to this question suggests that the mode (as well as the context) of academic discourse has structured and constrained the way we (can) think about what we do. The paper concludes by briefly reflecting on the potential of triangulation for reconstructing the way we think about methodological and theoretical dichotomies.