bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Refined mapping of quantitative trait loci for somatic cell score on BTA02 in the German Holstein
Authors: Baes C. , Goertz I. , Mayer M. , Weimann C. , Liu Z. , Reinhardt F. , Erhardt G. , Reinsch N.
Published: October 2009

The aim of this study was to more precisely map a previously reported quantitative trait locus (QTL) affecting somatic cell score on Bos taurus autosome 2 by increasing the number of markers fourfold, analysing more families and exploiting within‐population linkage disequilibrium (LD). A granddaughter design of 10 German Holstein grandsire families with 1121 progeny tested sons was used. Twenty‐six markers with an average marker spacing of 3.14 cM were genotyped along 81.6 cM. Linkage analysis (LA) was performed using variance‐component methodology. The incorporation of LD was first done using variance‐component methods followed by regression on marker alleles. LA revealed genome‐wide significance (LOD > 3) at 15 contiguous marker‐intervals, with the maximum test‐statistic between DIK2862 and BMS778 and a 1‐lod drop‐off interval of 38 cM. While the variance‐component methods could not detect any LD, two individual markers with a significant effect (ILSTS098, p < 0.05; BMS778, p < 0.01) were found by regression analysis. Compared with previous results QTL‐localisation was substantially narrowed; further fine‐mapping should focus on the close vicinity of BMS778.
Screening of oilseed rape and other brassicaceous genotypes for susceptibility to Ceutorhynchus pallidactylus (Mrsh.)
Authors: Eickermann M. , Ulber B.
Published: October 2009

Production of oilseed rape, Brassica napus L., is affected by various insect pests. The cabbage stem weevil, Ceutorhynchus pallidactylus (Mrsh.) (Col.: Curculionidae), is one of the most damaging pests in Northern and Central Europe that requires regular control measures. Host plant resistance is a key factor in integrated pest management systems. To evaluate a large number of genotypes for their susceptibility to infestation by C. pallidactylus, new screening techniques were developed for testing both, the amount of feeding and the number of eggs deposited by adult C. pallidactylus on accessions of Brassicaceae under controlled conditions. In no‐choice screening tests, the leaf area consumed by adult cabbage stem weevil was quantified on a wide spectrum of 107 brassicaceous genotypes (B. napus, Brassica rapa L. and Brassica oleracea L. cultivars, breeding lines, resynthesized rapeseed lines and wild Brassicaceae). In comparison to feeding on the standard cultivar ‘Express’, the average leaf area consumed by C. pallidactylus on nine oilseed rape cultivars, four resynthesized rapeseed lines and five other accessions [B. oleracea, Camelina alyssum (Mill.) and Lunaria annua L.] was significantly reduced by 44–90%. In dual‐choice screening tests for the evaluation of oviposition preferences on 42 genotypes, female C. pallidactylus laid significantly fewer eggs into plants of two oilseed rape cultivars, five resynthesized rapeseeds and three accessions of B. oleracea and Brassica fruticulosa Cyrillo, respectively, than into plants of the standard cv ‘Express’. Results of both laboratory screening tests were confirmed by results of additional field testing.
The effect of mass‐rearing on death‐feigning behaviour in the sweet potato weevil (Coleoptera: Brentidae)
Authors: Kuriwada T. , Kumano N. , Shiromoto K. , Haraguchi D.
Published: October 2009

The aim of our study was to examine the effect of mass‐rearing, in which there is no exposure to predators, on antipredator traits of insects for improving sterile insect technique programs. The duration of death‐feigning (antipredator behaviour) in sweet potato weevil Cylas formicarius (Summers) (Coleoptera: Brentidae) after mass‐rearing for 71 generations were compared with those in wild strain. There was no significant difference in the duration of death‐feigning between wild and mass‐reared strains. This indicated that the death‐feigning behaviour of mass‐reared strain was maintained for 71 generations even in the absence of predators. We discuss the reasons why death‐feigning behaviour is maintained after mass‐rearing.
Pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic modeling of the hypotensive effect of remifentanil in infants undergoing cranioplasty
Authors: STANDING JOSEPH F. , HAMMER GREGORY B. , SAM WAI JOHNN , DROVER DAVID R.
Published: October 2009

Objectives:  Although remifentanil has been used to induce hypotension during surgery in infants, no pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic (PKPD) model exists for its quantitative analysis. Our aim was to determine the quantitative relationship between whole blood remifentanil concentration and its hypotensive effect during surgery in infants.

Methods/materials:  We studied seven infants (age 0.3–1 year) who underwent cranioplasty surgery and received remifentanil delivered by a computer‐controlled infusion pump during the maintenance of anesthesia. Arterial blood samples to determine remifentanil concentration and mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) measurements were collected. A simultaneous PKPD mixed‐effects model was built in NONMEM.

Results:  A total of 77 remifentanil concentrations and 185 MAP measurements were collected. Remifentanil pharmacokinetics was described with a two‐compartment model, parameter estimates were 2.99 l·min−1·70 kg−1 for clearance and 16.23 l·70 kg−1 for steady state volume of distribution. Mean baseline MAP was 69.7 mmHg and was decreased as per clinical requirements. A sigmoidal Emax model driven by an effect compartment described the decrease in MAP, with an estimated concentration to decrease MAP by half (EC50) being 17.1 ng·ml−1.

Conclusions:  Remifentanil is effective in causing hypotension. The final model predicts that a steady state remifentanil concentration of 14 ng·ml−1 would typically achieve a 30% decrease in MAP.
Neoadjuvant chemo‐radiotherapy and rectal cancer: can the UK watch and wait with Brazil?
Authors: Nyasavajjala S. M. , Shaw A. G. , Khan A. Q. , Brown S. R. , Lund J. N.
Published: October 2009

Objecive  It has recently been reported that up to one‐third of patients with nonmetastatic distal rectal cancer managed with neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy (CRT) had a complete clinical response (cCR) to treatment. In the selected cases, this has been used as the sole treatment. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of complete pathological response for patients receiving CRT in one centre in the UK.

Method  Patients receiving 6 weeks of neoadjuvant CRT were identified using the two cancer audit databases in two different tertiary hospitals from January 2002 to November 2007. Pathology was reviewed and the histopathological response of the resected specimen to CRT was evaluated using the Mandard classification (1 = complete response, 5 = no response)

Results  One hundred and thirty‐two consecutive patients [median age 61 (range 44–86) years, 90 men] with nonmetastatic locally advanced rectal cancer received neoadjuvant chemo radiotherapy between 2002 and 2007 followed by resection of the tumour. Data were available from 129 patients.

Mandard classification
Number of patients

1
13

2
14

3
31

4
47

5
24

Conclusion  Only 13 out of 132 (10%) of patients had a complete pathological response. This is one‐third of the cCR previously reported. Nonsurgical therapy for rectal cancer using the Habr‐Gama treatment algorithm may only be effective in a very small proportion of patients with rectal cancer in the UK and nonoperative treatment would not be recommended.
Seton or glue for trans‐sphincteric anal fistulae: a prospective randomized crossover clinical trial
Authors: Altomare D. F. , Greco V. J. , Tricomi N. , Arcanà F. , Mancini S. , Rinaldi M. , Pulvirenti d’Urso A. , La Torre F.
Published: October 2009

Objective  Fibrin glue treatment of anal fistulae has been proposed to minimize the risk of faecal incontinence but its acceptance by coloproctologists is still poor because the published data is controversial. Therefore, we carried out a prospective randomized crossover trial comparing treatment with a commercial fibrin glue to classical seton treatment, with healing rate, hospital stay, healing time, faecal incontinence and postoperative pain as study outcomes.

Method  Sixty‐four homogeneous patients with trans‐sphincteric anal fistulae referred to seven colorectal units were randomized to undergo fibrin glue (39 patients) or seton (25 patients) treatment. Patients failing to heal after treatment with fibrin glue were re‐randomized to undergo a second injection with glue or seton treatment.

Results  Sixty‐two of the 64 patients completed the minimum 1‐year follow‐up period. Twenty‐one of 24 patients healed in the seton group compared with 15/38 in the fibrin glue group (P = 0.0007). The 23 failures after glue treatment were re‐randomized to have a second glue injection (eight patients) or a seton treatment (15 patients). Four of the eight (50%) patients treated with a second injection of glue, and nine out of the 15 (60%) patients in the seton group, healed. Patients treated with fibrin glue reported less postoperative pain and had a shorter hospital stay than patients treated with a seton; furthermore, faecal continence and anal manometry significantly worsened after seton treatment.

Conclusion  Seton treatment has a significantly higher probability of success compared with fibrin glue treatment but poses a higher risk of faecal incontinence. Fibrin glue could be considered as a first line of treatment for patients at risk of faecal incontinence or other comorbidities.
Ano‐perianal tuberculosis: 15 years of clinical experiences in Southern Taiwan
Authors: Tai W.‐C. , Hu T.‐H. , Lee C.‐H. , Chen H.‐H. , Huang C.‐C. , Chuah S.‐K.
Published: October 2009

Objective  Ano‐perianal tuberculosis (TB) is a rare extrapulmonary form of the disease. Most publications are in case report form. We report our cohort retrospective study on ano‐perianal TB, which is one of the very few original reports in the literature.

Method  Over a period of 15 years (January 1992–December 2006), file records revealed cases with confirmed diagnosis of ano‐perianal TB after screening from a total of 1251 patients with the diagnosis of TB from Chang Gung Memorial Hospital‐Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

Results  This study recruited 17 patients (14 male patients and 3 female patients). The age ranged from 18 to 81 years with a mean age of 44.8 ± 18.2 years. Thirteen patients had coexistent pulmonary TB (76.5%). Eight patients had at least one concomitant co‐morbid illness (47.1%). The most common clinical manifestations were anal fistulae (n = 16). All patients who completed a full course of anti‐mycobacterial treatment for at least 6 months after surgical intervention were cured without recurrence except for one patient who was lost to follow‐up after 2 months of treatment. Seven of the nine patients with complicated fistulae needed longer anti‐mycobacterium treatment duration (9–18 months).

Conclusion  Ano‐perianal TB should be kept in mind for all patients with prolonged or repeatedly recurrent ano‐perianal symptoms and signs such as complicated fistulae in an endemic TB area like Taiwan. Management strategy is with conventional anti‐mycobacterium therapy for at least 6 months after surgery. An extension of the anti‐mycobacterium treatment course to 9–18 months is mandatory for patients with complicated disease presentations.
Risk of cancer in patients with chronic pouchitis after restorative proctocolectomy for ulcerative colitis
Authors: Vento P. , Lepistö A. , Kärkkäinen P. , Ristimäki A. , Haglund C. , Järvinen H. J.
Published: October 2009

Aim  The aim of this study was to evaluate the consequences of chronic pouchitis after restorative proctocolectomy for ulcerative colitis.

Method  Forty‐two patients with chronic pouchitis underwent pouch endoscopy with biopsies after a median of 8.3 years of postoperative follow up. The pouchitis disease activity index (PDAI) was calculated. Morphological changes were recorded. Immunohistochemical analyses for cyclooxygenase 2 (COX‐2), Ki‐67 and p53 were performed, as was DNA flow cytometry. Endoscopy was also carried out in 10 patients without pouchitis and in nine healthy subjects.

Results  In patients with chronic pouchitis, the PDAI was 6 (standard error of the mean ± 4). Eighteen (43%) patients used continuous medication. The PDAI correlated positively with villous atrophy (P < 0.05). None of the pouch biopsies showed dysplasia. COX‐2 immunostaining was detected in 35 (83.3%) patients with chronic pouchitis, in five (50%) without pouchitis, but in none of the normal controls. COX‐2 expression correlated with mucosal atrophy (P < 0.01). In 15 (35.7%) of 42 patients with chronic pouchitis, Ki‐67 immunostaining was increased, but no increase was observed in either control group (P < 0.002). No p53 immunopositivity was found, and DNA flow cytometry was normal in all pouches. One of the patients developed adenocarcinoma at the anal anastomosis.

Conclusion  No dysplastic changes were detected during the first decade after surgery. Routine follow up of patients with chronic pouchitis with a hand‐sewn anastomosis may not be necessary, although a small risk of cancer seems to remain at the anal anastomosis. The follow up should be focused on at‐risk groups.
Fissurectomy combined with botulinum toxin A injection for medically resistant chronic anal fissures
Authors: Witte M. E. , Klaase J. M. , Koop R.
Published: October 2009

Introduction  Chemical sphincterotomy, the use of pharmacological agents to reduce anal sphincter resting pressure, has become more and more popular in the treatment of chronic anal fissures (CAFs). It offers the possibility to avoid a lateral internal sphincterotomy and its associated risk of incontinence. In our hospital, patient with a chronic anal fissure are consecutively treated with isosorbide dinitrate 1% ointment, applied 6 times a day for 8 weeks, followed by diltiazem 2% ointment, applied 2 times a day for 8 weeks and Botulin Toxin A injections (Dysport®; Ipsen, Hoofddorp, the Netherlands) in the internal anal sphincter. In a previous study (1), we describe high healing rates with this regime.

Objective  The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of the combination of fissurectomy and Botulin Toxin A in the treatment of CAFs.

Methods  Twenty‐one patients (10 male patients, median age 48 years) with persistent symptoms of chronic anal fissures after following the above mentioned treatment, were enrolled in this study. Fissurectomy was combined with Botulinum Toxin A (80 U of Dysport®) under regional anaesthesia in day care.

Results  After 12 weeks 19/21 CAFs (90%) had healed. Median follow‐up was 16 (9‐30) months. No recurrences were seen.

Conclusion  Fissurectomy in combination with Botulinum Toxin A injection in the internal anal sphincter is an effective treatment for medically resistant CAFs.
Epidemiology of testicular cancer
Authors: Manecksha Rustom P. , Fitzpatrick John M.
Published: October 2009

Testicular cancer is of interest and importance because its incidence has been increasing in most countries over the past four decades. Although it remains an uncommon malignancy overall accounting for 1–2% of all tumours in men, testicular cancer is the most common malignancy in young men. There is marked geographical variation in the incidence of testicular cancer, with the highest incidence among men in Nordic countries and lowest incidence among men in the Middle East and Asia. The association between some risk factors, including cryptorchidism, a previous history of testicular cancer and a family history of testicular cancer, and the incidence of testicular cancer has been widely reported. We reviewed published reports and present the evidence to support or refute the association between the well‐established and the less well‐established risk factors and the incidence of testicular cancer.
Contralateral testicular biopsy in testis cancer: current concepts and controversies
Authors: Heidenreich Axel
Published: October 2009

Of all patients with unilateral testis cancer, ≈5% harbour testicular intraepithelial neoplasia (TIN) in their contralateral testicle that will progress into an invasive germ cell tumour over time. The accurate diagnosis of TIN by a random two‐site surgical testis biopsy and effective therapy by local radiation has led to the concept of a contralateral screening biopsy in all patients with testis cancer. However, screening and preventive treatment are only indicated if the therapeutic outcome of the screened population is improved, and the physiological function of the affected organ is not impaired. Based on a critical review of previous reports, some drawbacks of this policy have to be considered and question the routine indication for contralateral testis biopsy: (i) all TIN‐negative patients still have to undergo meticulous follow‐up for metachronous testis cancer due to a false negative biopsy rate of 0.5–1.0%; (ii) local radiation of TIN results in irreversible infertility due to eradication of spermatogenesis; (iii) local radiation of TIN results in an impairment of endocrine Leydig cell function in 25% of the patients; (iv) therapeutic outcome and prognosis will not be improved in irradiated patients as compared to patients on surveillance; (v) local tumour resection for the management of metachronous testicular cancer represents an effective and viable option. Current reports do not support the strategy of contralateral testis biopsy in all patients with unilateral testicular germ cell tumours. According to the recommendations of the European Germ Cell Cancer Consensus Group, a testis biopsy might be offered to high‐risk patients for contralateral TIN (testicular volume <12 mL, history of cryptorchidism, age <30 years).
Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection: reassessment of modified templates
Authors: Large Michael C. , Sheinfeld Joel , Eggener Scott E.
Published: October 2009

The retroperitoneum is the initial metastatic site in 90% of patients with nonseminomatous germ cell tumours (NSGCTs) of the testis. A retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) provides accurate staging and effective therapy, minimizes the need for adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with low‐volume metastases, and optimizes durable cure rates. We review the rationale for and development of RPLND, focusing specifically on the advantages and limitations of the variable surgical templates. Bilateral RPLND has a long‐standing record of maximizing cancer control and minimizing secondary therapy. Both modified templates and prospective nerve‐sparing techniques were introduced to optimize rates of antegrade ejaculation. Limited resections as advocated by modified templates are appealing in the setting of primary RPLND but can be associated with a 3–23% risk of residual disease. Modified templates have also been advocated for highly selected patients after chemotherapy but, if applied to all patients undergoing surgery after chemotherapy, will lead to an unacceptably high rate of residual disease, even in patients with small masses after chemotherapy. For patients undergoing primary or post‐chemotherapy RPLND, a full bilateral template (with nerve‐sparing when appropriate) maximizes cure rates while minimizing ejaculatory morbidity and the subsequent need for chemotherapy.
Management of good risk germ‐cell tumours
Authors: Troost Monique M. , Sternberg Cora N. , De Wit Ronald
Published: October 2009

Following the implementation of cisplatin‐containing combined chemotherapy, patients with good‐risk metastatic germ‐cell cancer have an excellent prognosis. Since the 1980s, bleomycin, etoposide and cisplatin (BEP) have become the standard chemotherapy regimen for these patients. In view of both the high curative potential of BEP chemotherapy and the treatment‐related side‐effects, trials were carried out in patients with the greatest chance of cure to develop regimens with an improved toxicity profile while maintaining efficacy. Following the results of these trials, the standard chemotherapy in good‐risk disease has been reduced from four cycles of BEP (4BEP) to three cycles of BEP (3BEP). Four cycles of etoposide and cisplatin (4EP) is an alternative treatment regimen, with similar efficacy. Studies that explored additional adjustments in the BEP regimen to further decrease toxicity have shown that the lower threshold of efficacy has been reached, and that the efficacy of the chemotherapy is compromised. Especially during the last decade, important long‐term side‐effects after the treatment of germ‐cell cancers have been recognized. Chemotherapy in patients with germ‐cell cancer increases the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and second malignant neoplasms. Whether 3BEP or 4EP is the optimal chemotherapy regimen for the future remains to be identified. Possibly differences in acute and late toxicities attributed to chemotherapy might eventually identify the best strategy.
Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection after chemotherapy
Authors: Winter Christian , Raman Jay D. , Sheinfeld Joel , Albers Peter
Published: October 2009

Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection after chemotherapy (PC‐RPLND) plays a crucial role in managing patients with advanced germ cell tumours (GCTs). In the last few years improvements in radiographic staging, a better understanding of the role of serum tumour markers, and the introduction of cisplatin‐based chemotherapy have all contributed to this surgical therapy. PC‐RPLND is necessary when residual radiographic abnormalities are present after chemotherapy. The need for a PC‐RPLND in the face of normal findings from computed tomography (CT) is controversial. CT criteria alone are not sufficiently reliable to distinguish viable tumour or teratoma from necrosis. No combination of variables can predict negative retroperitoneal pathology with sufficient accuracy after induction chemotherapy. Unresected teratoma or viable GCT are at least partly chemorefractory and, if untreated, will progress. So completeness of resection is an independent and consistent predictive variable of clinical outcome. In PC‐RPLND surgical margins should not be compromised in an attempt to preserve ejaculation, although nerve‐sparing dissections are possible in patients with marker normalization after chemotherapy and necrotic tissue in frozen‐section histology. In these patients nerve‐sparing techniques and the reduction of surgical field to the left‐ or right‐sided template are applicable to preserve antegrade ejaculation and consecutive fertility. The size and location of residual masses coupled with the retroperitoneal desmoplastic reaction make PC‐RPLND a technically demanding procedure that should be performed by experienced surgeons in dedicated referral centres.
Late relapse of nonseminomatous germ cell tumours
Authors: Oldenburg Jan , Fosså Sophie D.
Published: October 2009

Late relapses of nonseminomatous cell tumours (NSGCTs) are rare and occur by definition at ≥2 years after successful treatment. They represent a major challenge of current treatment and follow‐up of the affected patients. We present relevant literature on late‐relapsing NSGCTs to provide an overview over the effect of primary treatment, patient and tumour characteristics. Of all patients with NSGCT, 1–6% have a late relapse, with those having extragonadal GCTs being at greatest risk. The predominant site of relapse is the retroperitoneal space. Suboptimal primary treatment, especially insufficient retroperitoneal surgery, increases the risk of late relapses. Radical surgery is probably the most important treatment, with advances in salvage chemotherapy adding to the improved cure rates. Treatment at an experienced institution ensures a 5‐year cancer‐specific survival of >50%, and this approaches 100% in case of single‐site mature teratoma. Diagnosis and proper treatment of patients with late‐relapsing NSGCTs is challenging and should be restricted to experienced centres only. Referral of late‐relapsing patients to high‐volume institutions ensures the best chances of cure and enables increasing understanding of tumour biology and the clinical course of these patients.
Short‐ and long‐term morbidity after treatment for testicular cancer
Authors: Fosså Sophie D. , Oldenburg Jan , Dahl Alv A.
Published: October 2009

Patients with testicular cancer are at risk of having severe short‐term and life‐threatening long‐term effects; we reviewed previous reports of these sequelae. After orchidectomy and before further treatment patients have major mental distress which gradually decreases during the treatment phase. Gastrointestinal side‐effects dominate during both chemo‐ and radiotherapy, with the risk of severe haematological, infectious and thromboembolic complications during chemotherapy. Long‐term sequelae comprise second cancers, cardiovascular morbidity/mortality and gonadal dysfunction. Nevertheless, 70% of patients who attempt paternity after treatment are successful. About 20% of patients develop long‐term neuro‐ and/or ototoxicity. The long‐term quality of life of survivors of testicular cancer is comparable to that of controls. Risk‐adapted treatment of patients with testicular cancer and adequate follow‐up of those at risk of life‐threatening toxicity are ways to reduce the short‐ and long‐term morbidity in survivors. Patients should be informed about these potential complications and the importance of adjusting their lifestyle (e.g. smoking habits, physical activity and weight control).
Fear of hypoglycaemia in mothers and fathers of children with Type 1 diabetes is associated with poor glycaemic control and parental emotional distress: a population‐based study
Authors: Haugstvedt A. , Wentzel‐Larsen T. , Graue M. , Søvik O. , Rokne B.
Published: October 2009

Diabet. Med. 27, 72–78 (2010)

Aims  To analyse, in a population‐based study, the association between parental fear of hypoglycaemia and (i) the prevalence of hypoglycaemia and diabetes treatment factors in children with Type 1 diabetes and (ii) emotional distress in mothers and fathers.

Methods  Mothers (n = 103) and fathers (n = 97) of 115 children with Type 1 diabetes (1–15 years old) participated in the study. In addition to demographic and disease‐specific data, the participants completed the Hypoglycaemia Fear Survey—Parent version (HFS‐P) (worry and behaviour subscales) and the Hopkins Symptom Checklist—25 items (HSCL‐25) to measure emotional distress.

Results  A higher HFS‐P worry score was associated with higher glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), a higher frequency (≥ 7) of what parents experienced as problematic hypoglycaemic events during the past year and co‐morbid disease in the child. A higher HFS‐P behaviour score was associated with children receiving insulin injections compared with using an insulin pump and a higher frequency (≥ 7 per day) of blood glucose measurements. The mothers had higher scores than the fathers in both the worry and behaviour subscales. The mothers’ and the fathers’ HFS‐P worry scores correlated significantly with their HSCL‐25 scores.

Conclusions  The association between a higher level of hypoglycaemic‐related fear and parental emotional distress and poorer glycaemic control in the child emphasizes the need for programmes to support and guide parents. The results suggest that future interventions should target both the parents’ fear and appropriate ways to prevent hypoglycaemia in children with Type 1 diabetes.
Rosiglitazone decreases intra‐ to extramyocellular fat ratio in obese non‐diabetic adults with metabolic syndrome
Authors: Godoy‐Matos A. F. , Bahia L. R. , Domingues R. C. , Tambascia M. , Geloneze B. , Kraemer‐Aguiar L. G. , Bouskela E.
Published: October 2009

Diabet. Med. 27, 23–29 (2010)

Background  Insulin resistance is intrinsically related to intramyocellular (IMCL) rather than extramyocellular (EMCL) triglyceride content. Conflicting results have been reported on the ability of insulin sensitizer agents, such as thiazolidinediones, to modify muscle fat distribution. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of rosiglitazone on muscle fat compartment distribution in an adult population of obese non‐diabetic metabolic syndrome patients.

Patients and methods  Fifteen obese, non‐diabetic, metabolic syndrome patients were studied by means of proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H‐NMR) spectroscopy before and after treatment with rosiglitazone 8 mg/day for 6 months. Anthropometrical and metabolic variables were assessed.

Results  After rosiglitazone, body weight and hip circumference increased [100.9 (91.12–138.7) vs. 107.0 (79.6–142.8) kg and 118 (107–126) vs. 122 (110–131) cm]; while waist–hip ratio (WHR) decreased from 0.93 (0.87–1.00) to 0.89 (0.82–0.97) (P < 0.001 for all). Additionally, fasting plasma glucose, insulin and homeostatis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR) significantly decreased while adiponectin increased over threefold [9.7 (3.7–17.7) vs. 38.0 (19.3–42.4) μg/ml] without any changes in resistin. Finally, the IMCL did not change [267.54 (213.94–297.94) vs. 305.75 (230.80–424.75) arbitrary units (AU), P = 0.15] while the EMCL increased [275.53 (210.39–436.66) vs. 411.39 (279.92–556.59) AU; P < 0.01] therefore decreasing the IMCL‐to‐EMCL (IMCL/EMCL) ratio [1.07 (0.78–1.23) vs. 0.71 (0.53–0.96); P < 0.01].

Conclusion  Rosiglitazone treatment increased body weight and hip circumference and decreased WHR. More importantly, it decreased the IMCL/EMCL ratio by increasing the EMCL without any significant change on the IMCL.
On the Social Construction of Relevance: A Rejoinder
Authors: Kieser Alfred , Leiner Lars
Published: October 2009

abstract

This rejoinder ties in with a Point–Counterpoint debate on the rigour–relevance gap which was published in the May 2009 issue of JMS. Responding to our critics we advance four arguments: (1) Only practitioners, not management scholars, can ultimately assess relevance of research by applying solutions derived from research results. (2) Collaborative management research whose output, in the publishing process, has to pass reviews in which criteria of rigour dominate does not necessarily generate research of higher relevance. (3) The ‘body of scientific evidence’ which our critics refer to contains an abundance of contradicting findings and recommendations and is therefore not of much help for practitioners. (4) Since the academic management journals and the ranking systems are controlling management research, a change towards epistemologies that foster relevance of research, as envisaged by our critics, is not very likely.
Tuber‐specific cphA expression to enhance cyanophycin production in potatoes
Authors: Hühns Maja , Neumann Katrin , Hausmann Tina , Klemke Friederike , Lockau Wolfgang , Kahmann Uwe , Kopertekh Lilya , Staiger Dorothee , Pistorius Elfriede K. , Reuther Jens , Waldvogel Eva , Wohlleben Wolfgang , Effmert Martin , Junghans Holger , Neubauer Katja , Kragl Udo , Schmidt Kerstin , Schmidtke Jörg , Broer Inge
Published: October 2009

The production of biodegradable polymers that can be used to substitute petrochemical compounds in commercial products in transgenic plants is an important challenge for plant biotechnology. Nevertheless, it is often accompanied by reduced plant fitness. To decrease the phenotypic abnormalities of the sprout and to increase polymer production, we restricted cyanophycin accumulation to the potato tubers by using the cyanophycin synthetase gene (cphATe) from Thermosynechococcus elongatus BP‐1, which is under the control of the tuber‐specific class 1 promoter (B33). Tuber‐specific cytosolic (pB33‐cphATe) as well as tuber‐specific plastidic (pB33‐PsbY‐cphATe) expression resulted in significant polymer accumulation solely in the tubers. In plants transformed with pB33‐cphATe, both cyanophycin synthetase and cyanophycin were detected in the cytoplasm leading to an increase up to 2.3% cyanophycin of dry weight and resulting in small and deformed tubers. In B33‐PsbY‐cphATe tubers, cyanophycin synthetase and cyanophycin were exclusively found in amyloplasts leading to a cyanophycin accumulation up to 7.5% of dry weight. These tubers were normal in size, some clones showed reduced tuber yield and sometimes exhibited brown sunken staining starting at tubers navel. During a storage period over of 32 weeks of one selected clone, the cyanophycin content was stable in B33‐PsbY‐cphATe tubers but the stress symptoms increased. However, all tubers were able to germinate. Nitrogen fertilization in the greenhouse led not to an increased cyanophycin yield, slightly reduced protein content, decreased starch content, and changes in the amounts of bound and free arginine and aspartate, as compared with control tubers were observed.
Molecular cloning and characterization of a KCS gene from Cardamine graeca and its heterologous expression in Brassica oilseeds to engineer high nervonic acid oils for potential medical and industrial use
Authors: Taylor David C. , Francis Tammy , Guo Yiming , Brost Jennifer M. , Katavic Vesna , Mietkiewska Elzbieta , Michael Giblin E. , Lozinsky Sharla , Hoffman Travis
Published: October 2009

Nervonic acid 24:1 Δ15 (cis‐tetracos‐15‐enoic acid) is a very long‐chain monounsaturated fatty acid and exists in nature as an elongation product of oleic acid. There is an increasing interest in production of high nervonic acid oils for pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and industrial applications. Using a polymerase chain reaction approach, we have isolated a gene from Cardamine graeca L., which encodes a 3‐ketoacyl‐CoA synthase (KCS), the first component of the elongation complex involved in synthesis of nervonic acid. Expression of the Cardamine KCS in yeast resulted in biosynthesis of nervonic acid, which is not normally present in yeast cells. We transformed Arabidopsis and Brassica carinata with the Cardamine KCS under the control of the seed‐specific promoter, napin. The T3 generations of transgenic Arabidopsis and B. carinata plants expressing the Cardamine KCS showed that seed‐specific expression resulted in relatively large comparative increases in nervonic acid proportions in Arabidopsis seed oil, and 15‐fold increase in nervonic acid proportions in B. carinata seed oil. The highest nervonic acid level in transgenic B. carinata lines reached 44%, with only 6% of residual erucic acid. In contrast, similar transgenic expression of the Cardamine KCS in high erucic B. napus resulted in 30% nervonic acid but with 20% residual erucic acid. Experiments using the Lunaria KCS gene gave results similar to the latter. In both cases, the erucic acid content is too high for human or animal consumption. Thus, the Cardamine KCS: B. carinata high nervonic/highly reduced erucic transgenic seed oils will be the most suitable for testing in pharmaceutical/nutraceutical applications to improve human and animal health.
A systems approach to plant bioprocess optimization
Authors: Cloutier Mathieu , Chen Jingkui , De Dobbeleer Caroline , Perrier Michel , Jolicoeur Mario
Published: October 2009

A dynamic model for plant cell metabolism was used as a basis for a rational analysis of plant production potential in in vitro cultures. The model was calibrated with data from 3‐L bioreactor cultures. A dynamic sensitivity analysis framework was developed to analyse the response curves of secondary metabolite production to metabolic and medium perturbations. Simulation results suggest that a straightforward engineering of cell metabolism or medium composition might only have a limited effect on productivity. To circumvent the problem of the dynamic allocation of resources between growth and production pathways, the sensitivity analysis framework was used to assess the effect of stabilizing intracellular nutrient concentrations. Simulations showed that a stabilization of intracellular glucose and nitrogen reserves could lead to a 116% increase in the specific production of secondary metabolites compared with standard culture protocol. This culture strategy was implemented experimentally using a perfusion bioreactor. To stabilize intracellular concentrations, adaptive medium feeding was performed using model mass balances and estimations. This allowed for a completely automated culture, with controlled conditions and pre‐defined decision making algorithm. The proposed culture strategy leads to a 73% increase in specific production and a 129% increase in total production, as compared with a standard batch culture protocol. The sensitivity analysis on a mathematical model of plant metabolism thus allowed producing new insights on the links between intracellular nutritional management and cell productivity. The experimental implementation was also a significant improvement on current plant bioprocess strategies.
Financialization and Manufacturing Firm Profitability under Uncertainty and Macroeconomic Volatility: Evidence from an Emerging Market
Authors: Demir Firat
Published: October 2009

Using semi‐annual data from 1993 to 2003 for all publicly traded manufacturing firms in Turkey, this paper explores the impacts of macroeconomic uncertainty and external shocks on profitability of real sector firms in the presence of multiple investment options in both real and financial sectors. The paper argues that increasing availability and accessibility of investment opportunities in the financial markets help real sector firms sustain profit margins despite market rigidities, increasing goods market competition, or higher levels of risks. The empirical results based on dynamic panel estimations show that increasing macroeconomic uncertainty and volatility have a significantly negative effect on firm profitability. In contrast, increasing the share of financial investments in total assets is found to be reducing such negative effects at a statistically and economically significant level.
Export‐ and Import‐Specific Habit Formation
Authors: Ikeda Shinsuke
Published: October 2009

By incorporating good‐specific habit formation into the consumption of export and import goods, I examine the dynamic adjustment of a small country to a permanent terms‐of‐trade deterioration. With differences in the strength of habit formation between export and import goods, the shock affects net output through countervailing income and substitution effects. Unlike in the existing literature, adjacent complementarity is neither necessary nor sufficient for the shock to reduce net foreign assets. When consuming export goods is more habit forming than is consuming import goods, the resulting asymmetric inertia of exports and imports leads the current account to exhibit a J‐curve.
RATIONAL PARTISAN THEORY, UNCERTAINTY, AND SPATIAL VOTING: EVIDENCE FOR THE BANK OF ENGLAND'S MPC
Authors: BHATTACHARJEE ARNAB , HOLLY SEAN
Published: October 2009

The transparency and openness of the monetary policy‐making process at the Bank of England has provided very detailed information on both the decisions of individual members of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) and the information on which they are based. In this paper, we consider this decision‐making process in the context of a model in which inflation forecast targeting is used, but there is heterogeneity among the members of the committee. We find that rational partisan theory can explain spatial voting behavior under forecast uncertainty about the output gap. Internally generated forecasts of output and market‐generated expectations of medium‐term inflation provide the best description of discrete changes in interest rates, in combination with uncertainty in the macroeconomic environment. There is also a role for developments in asset, housing and labor markets. Further, spatial voting patterns clearly differentiate between internally and externally apzpointed members of the MPC. The results have important implications for committee design and the conduct of monetary policy.
The embodied self: thinking psychoanalytically in a time of ‘science’
Authors: Marshall Karol
Published: October 2009

Abstract:  In order to be relevant in our ‘scientific’ times, it is necessary that we psychoanalysts situate our ideas in thoughtful and respectful relationship to neighbouring disciplines such as genetics, cultural studies, and neuro‐anatomy. In this paper I suggest that, although psychoanalysis still continues to have valuable contributions to make to the understanding of human sexual experience and behaviour, in order to make these contributions relevant we must tune in with openness to the challenges posed by the unfolding discoveries in the other disciplines that grapple with the arena of human sexuality.

I will suggest ways in which research on sexual desire and gender identity may be assimilated into psychoanalytic thinking and give some examples of its use in analytic practice.
Ghost and self: Jung's paradigm shift and a response to Zinkin
Authors: Rowland Susan
Published: October 2009

Abstract:  Zinkin's lucid challenge to Jung makes perfect sense. Indeed, it is the implications of this ‘making sense’ that this paper addresses. For Zinkin's characterization of the ‘self’ takes it as a ‘concept’ requiring coherence; a variety of abstract non‐contextual knowledge that itself has a mythical heritage. Moreover, Zinkin's refinement of Jung seeks to make his work fit for the scientific paradigm of modernity. In turn, modernity's paradigm owes much to Newton's notion of knowledge via reductionism. Here knowledge or investigation is divided up into the smallest possible units with the aim of eventually putting it all together into ‘one’ picture of scientific truth. Unfortunately, ‘reductionism’ does not do justice to the resonant possibilities of Jung's writing. These look forward to a new scientific paradigm of the twenty‐first century, of the interactive ‘field’, emergence and complexity theory. The paper works paradoxically by discovering Zinkin's ‘intersubjective self’ after all, in two undervalued narratives by Jung, his doctoral thesis and a short late ghost story. However, in the ambivalences and radical fictional experimentation of these fascinating texts can be discerned an‐Other self, one both created and found.
Fitness costs associated with evolved herbicide resistance alleles in plants
Authors: Vila‐Aiub Martin M. , Neve Paul , Powles Stephen B.
Published: October 2009

Predictions based on evolutionary theory suggest that the adaptive value of evolved herbicide resistance alleles may be compromised by the existence of fitness costs. There have been many studies quantifying the fitness costs associated with novel herbicide resistance alleles, reflecting the importance of fitness costs in determining the evolutionary dynamics of resistance. However, many of these studies have incorrectly defined resistance or used inappropriate plant material and methods to measure fitness. This review has two major objectives. First, to propose a methodological framework that establishes experimental criteria to unequivocally evaluate fitness costs. Second, to present a comprehensive analysis of the literature on fitness costs associated with herbicide resistance alleles. This analysis reveals unquestionable evidence that some herbicide resistance alleles are associated with pleiotropic effects that result in plant fitness costs. Observed costs are evident from herbicide resistance‐endowing amino acid substitutions in proteins involved in amino acid, fatty acid, auxin and cellulose biosynthesis, as well as enzymes involved in herbicide metabolism. However, these resistance fitness costs are not universal and their expression depends on particular plant alleles and mutations. The findings of this review are discussed within the context of the plant defence trade‐off theory and herbicide resistance evolution.

Contents

Summary
751

I.
Introduction
752

II.
Methods for the detection and estimation of herbicide resistance fitness costs
753

III.
Fitness costs associated with AHAS target site resistance
756

IV.
Fitness costs associated with ACCase target site resistance
757

V.
Fitness costs associated with resistance to phenoxy herbicides
758

VI.
Arabidopsis thaliana as a model plant to understand pleiotropic effects of herbicide target‐site based resistance alleles
759

VII.
Fitness costs associated with herbicide resistance endowed by enhanced rates of herbicide metabolism catalysed by P450 enzymes
760

VIII.
Fitness costs associated with glyphosate resistance
760

IX.
Discussion
761

X.
Conclusion
762

Acknowledgements
763

References
763
Eating problems at age 6 years in a whole population sample of extremely preterm children
Authors: SAMARA MUTHANNA , JOHNSON SAMANTHA , LAMBERTS KOEN , MARLOW NEIL , WOLKE DIETER
Published: October 2009

Aim  The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of eating problems and their association with neurological and behavioural disabilities and growth among children born extremely preterm (EPC) at age 6 years.

Method  A standard questionnaire about eating was completed by parents of 223 children (125 males [56.1%], 98 females [43.9%]) aged 6 years who were born at 25 weeks’ gestation or earlier (mean 24.5wks, SD 0.7wks; mean birthweight 749.1g, SD 116.8g), and parents of 148 classmates born at term (66 males [44.6%], 82 females [55.4%]). All children underwent neurological, cognitive, and anthropometric assessment, and parents and teachers completed a behaviour scale.

Results  Eating problems were more common among the EPC than the comparison group (odds ratio [OR] 3.6, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.1–6.3), including oral motor (OR 5.2, 95% CI 2.8–9.9), hypersensitivity (OR 3.0, 95% CI 1.6–5.6), and behavioural (OR 3.8, 95% CI 1.9–7.6) problems. Group differences were reduced after adjustment for cognitive impairment, neuromotor disability, and other behaviour problems. EPC with eating problems were shorter, lighter, and had lower mid‐arm circumference and lower body mass index (BMI) even after adjusting for disabilities, gestational age, birthweight, and feeding problems at 30 months.

Interpretation  Eating problems are still frequent in EPC at school age. They are only partly related to other disabilities but make an additional contribution to continued growth failure and may require early recognition and intervention.
Relationship between maternal growth, infant birthweight and nutrient partitioning in teenage pregnancies
Authors: Jones RL , Cederberg HMS , Wheeler SJ , Poston L , Hutchinson CJ , Seed PT , Oliver RL , Baker PN
Published: October 2009

Please cite this paper as: Jones R, Cederberg H, Wheeler S, Poston L, Hutchinson C, Seed P, Oliver R, Baker P. Relationship between maternal growth, infant birthweight and nutrient partitioning in teenage pregnancies. BJOG 2010;117:200–211.

Objective  Teenagers are susceptible to delivering small‐for‐gestational‐age (SGA) infants. Previous studies suggest that maternal growth may contribute, as a result of preferential nutrient partitioning to the mother. We investigated the impact of maternal growth on birthweight in pregnant teenagers in the UK, and examined endocrine mediators of nutrient partitioning.

Design  A prospective observational multicentre study, About Teenage Eating, conducted between 2004 and 2007.

Setting  Four hospitals in socially‐deprived areas of Manchester and London.

Population  A total of 500 pregnant adolescents (14–18 years of age) with a singleton pregnancy were recruited at 10–21 weeks of gestation, with follow‐up studies on 368 subjects. A cohort of 80 pregnant adults (25–40 years of age) provided a control group for determining growth.

Methods  Skeletal growth, weight gain and skinfold thickness were measured from first to third trimester, together with maternal levels of micronutrients and metabolic hormones: insulin‐like growth factor (IGF) system and leptin. Dietary analyses were performed.

Main outcome measure  SGA birth.

Results  Maternal growth was not associated with SGA birth: growing mothers delivered more large‐for‐gestational‐age infants (OR 2.51; P < 0.05). Growers had greater weight gain (P < 0.001), fat accrual (P < 0.001) and red cell folate concentrations (P < 0.01) than non‐growers. Maternal IGF‐I (P < 0.01) and leptin (P < 0.001) were positively associated with maternal and fetal growth, whereas IGF‐I (P < 0.001) was negatively associated. Teenagers that were underweight at booking or with low weight gain were at greater risk of SGA birth.

Conclusions  Maternal growth was not detrimental to fetal growth in this UK population of teenagers. Greater weight gain and higher concentrations of IGF‐I in growing teenagers may provide anabolic drive for maternal and fetal growth.