bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spectroscopic ellipsometry study of thin NiO films grown on Si (100) by atomic layer deposition
Authors: Lu H. L. , Scarel G. , Alia M. , Fanciulli M. , Ding Shi-Jin , Zhang David Wei
Published: June 2008

Thin NiO films are grown at 300°C on Si (100) using atomic layer deposition. The dependence of annealing temperature on the optical properties of NiO films has been investigated using spectroscopic ellipsometry in the spectral region of 1.24–5.05eV. It is found that the refractive index and thickness of NiO films are affected by high temperature annealing. The optical band gap of the as-deposited thin NiO film is determined to be 3.8eV, which is almost independent of the annealing temperature. The indirect band gap of NiO film shifts toward lower photon energy with an increase in annealing temperature.
Thermodynamic stability of single molecule junctions
Authors: Tsutsui Makusu , Shoji Kohei , Morimoto Kosuke , Taniguchi Masateru , Kawai Tomoji
Published: June 2008

Thermodynamic stability of Au-benzenedithiolate-Au single molecule junctions is explored at a room temperature in a vacuum by evaluating stretching rate dependence of the contact lifetime down to 0.0006nm∕s using nanofabricated mechanically controllable break junctions. The measured single molecule conductance is ∼0.01G0 irrespective of the displacement speeds. The molecular junctions demonstrate long-term durability compared to Au single atom contacts with natural lifetime of 14.6h, the characteristics of which is of immense significance from the viewpoint of device applications.
Sequential Actions of Myotubularin Lipid Phosphatases Regulate Endosomal PI(3)P and Growth Factor Receptor Trafficking
Authors: Cao Canhong , Backer Jonathan M. , Laporte Jocelyn , Bedrick Edward J. , Wandinger-Ness Angela
Published: June 2008

Two different human diseases, X-linked myotubular myopathy and Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, result from mutant MTM1 or MTMR2 lipid phosphatases. Although events involved in endosomal PI(3)P and PI(3,5)P2synthesis are well established and pivotal in receptor signaling and degradation, enzymes involved in phosphoinositide degradation and their roles in trafficking are incompletely characterized. Here, we dissect the functions of the MTM1 and MTMR2 myotubularins and establish how they contribute to endosomal PI(3)P homeostasis. By mimicking loss of function in disease through siRNA-mediated depletion of the myotubularins, excess PI(3)P accumulates on early (MTM1) and late (MTMR2) endosomes. Surprisingly, the increased PI(3)P blocks the egress of epidermal growth factor receptors from early or late endosomes, suggesting that the accumulation of signaling receptors in distinct endosomes may contribute to the unique disease etiologies when MTM1 or MTMR2 are mutant. We further demonstrate that direct myotubularin binding to the type III PI 3-kinase complex hVps34/hVps15 leads to phosphatase inactivation. The lipid kinase-phosphatase interaction also precludes interaction of the PI 3-kinase with Rab GTPase activators. Thus, unique molecular complexes control kinase and phosphatase activation and locally regulate PI(3)P on discrete endosome populations, thereby providing a molecular rationale for related human myo- and neuropathies.
Seasonal patterns and diets of wild fish assemblages associated with Mediterranean coastal fish farms
Authors: Fernandez-Jover Damian , Sanchez-Jerez Pablo , Bayle-Sempere Just Tomás , Valle Carlos , Dempster Tim
Published: June 2008

Fernandez-Jover, D., Sanchez-Jerez, P., Bayle-Sempere, J. T., Valle, C., and Dempster, T. 2008. Seasonal patterns and diets of wild fish assemblages associated with Mediterranean coastal fish farms. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 65: 1153–1160. Fish are attracted to floating structures, including coastal cage fish farms, sometimes in dense aggregations. To understand better the influence of aquaculture on wild fish stocks, we carried out seasonal visual censuses around three southwestern Mediterranean farms over 2 years to assess the temporal patterns of the aggregated fish assemblage. In addition, we analysed the diet of the five most abundant species. Aggregations around all farms were large throughout the year, although species composition and abundance differed among farms and seasons. Fish farms are attractive habitats for certain species of wild fish in specific seasons. Adult fish of reproductive size dominated the assemblages, and stomach content analysis revealed that 66–89% of fish of the five most abundant taxa had consumed food pellets lost from the cages. We estimated that wild fish consume up to 10% of the pellets used at farms, indicating that food is a key attractant. Regional monitoring of farm-associated wild fish assemblages could aid management of the interaction of aquaculture and wild fish resources, because changes in feeding behaviour may have consequences for fish populations and local fisheries.
Habitat–fisheries interactions: a missing link?
Authors: Armstrong Claire W. , Falk-Petersen Jannike
Published: June 2008

Armstrong, C. W., and Falk-Petersen, J. 2008. Habitat–fisheries interactions: a missing link? – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 65: 817–821.
A Genome-Wide Meta-Analysis of Rice Blast Resistance Genes and Quantitative Trait Loci Provides New Insights into Partial and Complete Resistance
Authors: Ballini Elsa , Morel Jean-Benoît , Droc Gaétan , Price Adam , Courtois Brigitte , Notteghem Jean-Loup , Tharreau Didier
Published: June 2008

The completion of the genome sequences of both rice and Magnaporthe oryzae has strengthened the position of rice blast disease as a model to study plant–pathogen interactions in monocotyledons. Genetic studies of blast resistance in rice were established in Japan as early as 1917. Despite such long-term study, examples of cultivars with durable resistance are rare, partly due to our limited knowledge of resistance mechanisms. A rising number of blast resistance genes and quantitative trait loci (QTL) have been genetically described, and some have been characterized during the last 20 years. Using the rice genome sequence, can we now go a step further toward a better understanding of the genetics of blast resistance by combining all these results? Is such knowledge appropriate and sufficient to improve breeding for durable resistance? A review of bibliographic references identified 85 blast resistance genes and approximately 350 QTL, which we mapped on the rice genome. These data provide a useful update on blast resistance genes as well as new insights to help formulate hypotheses about the molecular function of blast QTL, with special emphasis on QTL for partial resistance. All these data are available from the OrygenesDB database.
Gain of Virulence on Rsv1-Genotype Soybean by an Avirulent Soybean mosaic virus Requires Concurrent Mutations in Both P3 and HC-Pro
Authors: Eggenberger A. L. , Hajimorad M. R. , Hill J. H.
Published: June 2008

In soybean, Rsv1, a single dominant resistance gene, invokes extreme resistance (ER) against most Soybean mosaic virus (SMV) strains, including SMV-N, but not SMV-G7, which provokes a virulent lethal systemic hypersensitive response (LSHR). The elicitor functions of the two viruses provoking Rsv1-mediated ER and LSHR have been mapped to the N-terminal 271 amino acids of P3 from SMV-N and SMV-G7, respectively, which differ by nine residues between the two strains. To identify amino acids of P3 from SMV-N provoking Rsv1-mediated ER, the unique residues of SMV-G7 were substituted with those of SMV-N. Of the mutants tested on Rsv1-genotype soybean, only SMV-G7I788R and SMV-G7T948A lost virulence. However, substitution of amino acids of SMV-N, individually or in combination, with the reciprocal residues from SMV-G7 at these two positions failed to confer virulence to SMV-N. In the search for additional virulence determinants, a series of SMV-N chimeras was generated in which fragments within a region from near the middle of the helper-component proteinase (HC-Pro) cistron to the 5′ end of the cytoplasmic inclusion cistron, nucleotides 1,605 to 3,787, were replaced with those of SMV-G7. Only SMV-N-derived chimeras harboring the 3′ region of HC-Pro, at least from nucleotide 2,013, and the entire 5′ end of P3 (nucleotides 2,430 to 3,237) from SMV-G7 were virulent whereas reciprocal exchanges resulted in loss of SMV-G7 virulence. This region of HC-Pro differs by three amino acids between SMV-N and SMV-G7. Analyses of SMV-G7-derived HC-Pro site-directed mutants showed that only SMV-G7M683R lost virulence on Rsv1-genotype soybean; however, SMV-NR682M failed to gain virulence. Nevertheless, an SMV-N derived mutant with three concurrent substitutions, R682M+R787I+A947T, gained virulence. The data indicate that both P3 and HC-Pro are involved in virulence of SMV on Rsv1-genotype soybean.
Experimental evidence for latent developmental plasticity: intertidal whelks respond to a native but not an introduced predator
Authors: Edgell Timothy C , Neufeld Christopher J
Published: June 2008

Animals with highly inducible traits may show no inducible response when exposed to a related but wholly novel cue. This appears to be true for the intertidal whelkNucella lamellosafaced with a voracious introduced predator. In the laboratory, we exposed whelks to effluent from two species of predatory crab, the native red rock crabCancer productusand the invasive European green crabCarcinus maenas.NucellaandCancerhave a long shared history in the northeast Pacific, whereas potential interaction withCarcinusbegan here less than 10 years ago. AlthoughNucellaresponded adaptively toCancereffluent by increasing shell thickness and decreasing somatic growth, there was no such response toCarcinus. Furthermore, thicker shelledNucellawere less likely to be eaten byCarcinus.BecauseNucellaproduces thicker shells when exposed toCancercues, its ability to respond similarly toCarcinusdepends only on the coupling of theCarcinuscue to the existing developmental pathways for adaptive changes in shell form. Such coupling of latent plasticity to a novel cue—via genetic changes or associative learning—could explain many cases of rapid phenotypic change following a sudden shift in the environment.
Three-dimensional molar enamel distribution and thickness in
Australopithecus
and
Paranthropus
Authors: Olejniczak A.J , Smith T.M , Skinner M.M , Grine F.E , Feeney R.N.M , Thackeray J.F , Hublin J.-J
Published: June 2008

Thick molar enamel is among the few diagnostic characters of hominins which are measurable in fossil specimens. Despite a long history of study and characterization of
Paranthropus
molars as relatively ‘hyper-thick’, only a few tooth fragments and controlled planes of section (designed to be proxies of whole-crown thickness) have been measured. Here, we measure molar enamel thickness in
Australopithecus africanus
and
Paranthropus robustus
using accurate microtomographic methods, recording the whole-crown distribution of enamel. Both taxa have relatively thick enamel, but are thinner than previously characterized based on two-dimensional measurements. Three-dimensional measurements show that
P. robustus
enamel is not hyper-thick, and
A. africanus
enamel is relatively thinner than that of recent humans. Interspecific differences in the whole-crown distribution of enamel thickness influence cross-sectional measurements such that enamel thickness is exaggerated in two-dimensional sections of
A. africanus
and
P. robustus
molars. As such, two-dimensional enamel thickness measurements in australopiths are not reliable proxies for the three-dimensional data they are meant to represent. The three-dimensional distribution of enamel thickness shows different patterns among species, and is more useful for the interpretation of functional adaptations than single summary measures of enamel thickness.
Sex-specific responses to vocal convergence and divergence of contact calls in orange-fronted conures (Aratinga canicularis)
Authors: Balsby Thorsten J.S , Scarl Judith C
Published: June 2008

We investigated the signal function of vocal imitation of contact calls in orange-fronted conures (OFCs;Aratinga canicularis) in Costa Rica. OFCs live in dynamic social systems with frequent flock fusions and fissions. Exchanges of contact calls precede these flock changes. During call exchanges, the similarity between the contact calls of different individuals may either increase (converge) or decrease (diverge). We conducted a playback experiment on wild-caught captive birds in which we simulated convergent, divergent and no-change interaction series with male and female contact calls. OFCs responded differently to convergent and divergent series of contact calls, but only when we considered the sex of the test birds. Males called most in response to convergent series, whereas females demonstrated high calling rates in response to both convergent and divergent interactions. Both sexes responded most to contact calls from the opposite sex, but overall females produced more calls and had shorter latencies to calling than males. These results demonstrate that OFCs can discriminate between male and female contact calls and that subtle changes in contact call structure during interactions have signal function. The stronger overall response to convergent series suggests that convergence of contact calls is an affiliative signal.
Speciation towards tetraploidization after intermediate processes of non-sexual reproduction
Authors: Cunha Carina , Doadrio Ignacio , Coelho Maria M
Published: June 2008

Polyploidy, hybridization and variation in mating systems are central issues for a deeper understanding of animal evolution. The Iberian speciesSqualius alburnoidesrepresents an example combining all three phenomena. Previous studies showed thatS. alburnoidespopulations are mainly composed of triploid and diploid hybrid forms (mainly females), and that the tetraploid forms are rare or absent. Both populations from the Douro drainage reveal a distinct scenario: tetraploid individuals represent 85.6–97.5% of the population, with no sex ratio bias observed. Based on the flow cytometry measurements of blood and spermatozoa cells, microsatellite loci and experimental crosses, we describe here, for the first time, two symmetric allotetraploid populations (CCAA) that resumed normal meiosis after undergoing intermediate processes of non-sexual reproduction to give rise to a new sexually reproducing polyploid species. Prezygotic (habitat selection and assortative mating) and postzygotic mechanisms (nonviable embryos) are responsible for the reproductive isolation from other forms of theS. alburnoidescomplex (e.g. CA, CAA). This example illustrates how hybrid polyploid complexes may lead to speciation.
Speciation and DNA barcodes: testing the effects of dispersal on the formation of discrete sequence clusters
Authors: Papadopoulou Anna , Bergsten Johannes , Fujisawa Tomochika , Monaghan Michael T , Barraclough Timothy G , Vogler Alfried P
Published: June 2008

Large-scale sequencing of short mtDNA fragments for biodiversity inventories (‘DNA barcoding’) indicates that sequence variation in animal mtDNA is highly structured and partitioned into discrete genetic clusters that correspond broadly to species-level entities. Here we explore how the migration rate, an important demographic parameter that is directly related to population isolation, might affect variation in the strength of mtDNA clustering among taxa. Patterns of mtDNA variation were investigated in two groups of beetles that both contain lineages occupying habitats predicted to select for different dispersal abilities: predacious diving beetles (Dytiscidae) in the genus
Bidessus
from lotic and lentic habitats across Europe and darkling beetles (Tenebrionidae) in the genus
Eutagenia
from sand and other soil types in the Aegean Islands. The degree of genetic clustering was determined using the recently developed ‘mixed Yule coalescent’ (MYC) model that detects the transition from between-species to within-population branching patterns. Lineages from presumed stable habitats, and therefore displaying lower dispersal ability and migration rates, showed greater levels of mtDNA clustering and geographical subdivision than their close relatives inhabiting ephemeral habitats. Simulations of expected patterns of mtDNA variation under island models showed that MYC clusters are only detected when the migration rates are much lower than the value of
Nm
=1 typically used to define the threshold for neutral genetic divergence. Therefore, discrete mtDNA clusters provide strong evidence for independently evolving populations or species, but their formation is suppressed even under very low levels of dispersal.
Density‐dependence by habitat heterogeneity: individual quality versus territory quality
Authors: Balbontín Javier , Ferrer Miguel
Published: June 2008

The aim of this comment is to review the ecological issues concerning the role of individual and habitat heterogeneity as possible mechanisms explaining density‐dependent fecundity in animal populations. Our intention is to discuss different approaches to determine whether or not studied populations are subjected to density‐dependent processes and which mechanisms are involved. We show that because individual quality (e.g. measured in terms of age of breeding individuals) and territory quality can be correlated, untangling both effects on fecundity is frequently a difficult task. We discuss the misuse of statistical methods and other problems related to the specific characteristics of the studied populations that can have a strong influence on the conclusions reached by researchers working in this field.
Evolutionary species–area curves as revealed by single‐island endemics: insights for the inter‐provincial species–area relationship
Authors: Triantis Kostas A. , Mylonas Moisis , Whittaker Robert J.
Published: June 2008

The species–area relationship (SAR) between different biological provinces is one of the most interesting, but least explored aspects of the well‐known species–area pattern. Following the usage that a biological province is a region whose species have for the most part evolved within it, rather than immigrating from somewhere else, we propose that islands can be considered equivalent to biological provinces for single island endemic species (SIEs). Hence, analyses of the relationships between numbers of SIEs and island area can be used as model systems to explore the form of inter‐provincial SARs. We analyzed 13 different data sets derived from 11 sources, using the power (log–log) model. Eleven of the SIE–area relationships were statistically significant, explaining high proportions of the variance in SIE numbers (R2 0.57–0.95). The z‐values (slopes) of the statistically significant SIE–area relationships ranged from 0.47 to 1.13, with a mean value of 0.80 (SD±0.24).

All the island systems in which SIE represent >50% of species exhibited z‐values for the SARs of native species higher than those deemed typical of archipelagic SARs. The SIE–area slopes are quite similar to those previously calculated for inter‐provincial SARs, indicating that, when speciation becomes the dominant process adding to the species richness of assemblages, high z‐values should be anticipated, regardless of the biogeographical scale of the study system.
Movement of outbreak populations of mountain pine beetle: influences of spatiotemporal patterns and climate
Authors: Aukema Brian H. , Carroll Allan L. , Zheng Yanbing , Zhu Jun , Raffa Kenneth F. , Dan Moore R. , Stahl Kerstin , Taylor Stephen W.
Published: June 2008

Insect outbreaks exert landscape‐level influences, yet quantifying the relative contributions of various exogenous and endogenous factors that contribute to their pattern and spread remains elusive. We examine an outbreak of mountain pine beetle covering an 800 thousand ha area on the Chilcotin Plateau of British Columbia, Canada, during the 1970s and early 1980s. We present a model that incorporates the spatial and temporal arrangements of outbreaking insect populations, as well as various climatic factors that influence insect development. Onsets of eruptions of mountain pine beetle demonstrated landscape‐level synchrony. On average, the presence of outbreaking populations was highly correlated with outbreaking populations within the nearest 18 km the same year and local populations within 6 km in the previous two years. After incorporating these spatial and temporal dependencies, we found that increasing temperatures contributed to explaining outbreak probabilities during this 15 yr outbreak. During collapse years, landscape‐level synchrony declined while local synchrony values remained high, suggesting that in some areas host depletion was contributing to population decline. Model forecasts of outbreak propensity one year in advance at a 12 by 12 km scale provided 80% accuracy over the landscape, and never underestimated the occurrence of locally outbreaking populations. This model provides a flexible approach for linking temperature and insect population dynamics to spatial spread, and complements existing decision support tools for resource managers.
Fruit tracking between sites and years by birds in Mediterranean wintering grounds
Authors: Luis Tellería José , Ramirez Alvaro , Pérez‐Tris Javier
Published: June 2008

Knowledge of the ability of birds to track spatiotemporal variation in fruit distribution is essential for understanding plant‐frugivore interactions. Arguably, although total fruit availability sets an upper limit to the number of birds that can exploit a habitat patch, not all species can equally distribute abundance according to variation in fruit resources. To explore this, we studied bird and fruit abundance in 1999–2005 in Mediterranean scrublands and woodlands of southern Spain. We analysed whether changes of fruit abundance in eight different sites during six winters could predict numerical changes of a set of frugivorous passerines of the area (blackcap Sylvia atricapilla, Sardinian warbler S. melanocephala, robin Erithacus rubecula, song thrush Turdus philomelos and blackbird T. merula). We also investigated if all frugivores together tracked fruits better than individual species, thereby supporting a shared use of resources. Results showed strong inter‐specific differences. Only the most abundant species (blackcaps and robins) tracked the spatial patterning of food despite strong differences in the use of space (vagrant and territorial, respectively). This suggests plastic behaviour of territorial robins, with individuals changing from strictly territorial to wandering, a flexibility that would favour between‐site numerical arrangements according to food resources. Annual changes in bird numbers were independent of the availability of fruits, except for blackcaps, an abundant vagrant bird that tracked inter‐winter changes in fruit abundance. The abundance of blackcaps fitted the spatiotemporal patterning of fruit resources better than the whole guild of frugivorous birds, inconsistent with the idea that these species track together the changing availability of fruit resources.
Cancer cells survive with survivin
Authors: Yamamoto Hirofumi , Ngan Chew Yee , Monden Morito
Published: June 2008

Survivin has multiple functions including cytoprotection, inhibition of cell death, and cell‐cycle regulation, especially at the mitotic process stage, all of which favor cancer survival. Many studies on clinical specimens have shown that survivin expression is invariably up‐regulated in human cancers and is associated with resistance to chemotherapy or radiation therapy, and linked to poor prognosis, suggesting that cancer cells survive with survivin. It is also reported that survivin inhibition, alone or in combination with the other therapies, induces or enhances apoptosis and mitotic catastrophe in tumor cells. Moreover, certain antitumor agents can reduce survivin expression. These findings suggest that survivin may be a promising molecular target against human malignancies. (Cancer Sci 2008; 99: 1709–1714)
Recent advances in the understanding and management of diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma in children
Authors: Reiter Alfred , Klapper Wolfram
Published: June 2008

Diffuse large B‐cell lymphomas (DLBCL) are neoplasms of transformed mature B cells, accounting for approximately 10% of non‐Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL) of childhood. Increasing evidence indicates that DLBCL are composed of biologically distinct subsets. Clinical features of children with DLBCL differ from those with other NHL entities, e.g. by a lower frequency of bone‐marrow and central nervous sytem involvement. Treatment strategies originally designed for Burkitt lymphoma appear to be efficacious for children with DLBCL. However, children with primary mediastinal large B‐cell lymphoma may need a more specific treatment approach, given their inferior outcome in recent studies. The addition of the monoclonal anti‐CD20 antibody rituximab to standard CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone) chemotherapy improved outcome of adults with DLBCL significantly. However, preliminary data suggest differences between DLBCL of children and adults concerning cell of origin, genetic abnormalities and responsiveness to current treatments. Thus, the potential role of monoclonal antibodies in the treatment of children with DLBCL remains to be determined. The availability of new methodological tools, such as gene expression profiling, will greatly enhance our insights into the biology of childhood DLBCL and its similarities and disparities compared to adult DLBCL. Furthermore, these tools may enable a more risk‐adapted and rationally targeted subtype‐specific therapy in the future.
Most acute myeloid leukaemia patients with intermediate mutant FLT3/ITD levels do not have detectable bi‐allelic disease, indicating that heterozygous disease alone is associated with an adverse outcome
Authors: Green Claire , Linch David C. , Gale Rosemary E.
Published: June 2008

FLT3 internal tandem duplication mutant levels >50%, indicative of bi‐allelic disease in some cells, are associated with a particularly poor prognosis in acute myeloid leukaemia; lower levels have an intermediate prognosis relative to wild‐type FLT3. To examine whether a small population of homozygous mutant cells is responsible for the worse relapse risk rather than heterozygous disease per se, we determined the genetic composition of 34 intermediate mutant level (25–50%) samples. Only two had evidence of mutant homozygosity; only one had more homozygous than heterozygous mutant cells. Bi‐allelic disease in intermediate mutant level cases is uncommon and heterozygous disease is sufficient for adverse outcome.
Epigenetic inactivation of secreted Frizzled‐related proteins in acute myeloid leukaemia
Authors: Jost E. , Schmid J. , Wilop S. , Schubert C. , Suzuki H. , Herman J. G. , Osieka R. , Galm O.
Published: June 2008

The Wnt signalling pathway has a key function in stem cell maintenance and differentiation of haematopoietic progenitors. Secreted Frizzled‐related protein genes (SFRPs), functioning as Wnt signalling antagonists, have been found to be downregulated by promoter hypermethylation in many tumours. To analyse epigenetic dysregulation of SFRPs in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), we examined the promoter methylation status of SFRP1, ‐2, ‐4 and ‐5 in AML cell lines by methylation‐specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP). Aberrant CpG island methylation was found for all four SFRP genes. By real‐time reverse transcription‐PCR, corresponding transcriptional silencing for SFRP1 and ‐2 was demonstrated and treatment of cell lines with 5‐aza‐2′‐deoxycytidine resulted in re‐expression. The methylation status of the SFRP genes was analysed in 100 specimens obtained from AML patients at diagnosis. The frequencies of aberrant methylation among the patient samples were 29% for SFRP1, 19% for SFRP2, 0% for SFRP4 and 9% for SFRP5. For SFRP2, a correlation between promoter hypermethylation and transcriptional downregulation was found in primary AML samples. Among AML cases with a favourable karyotype, hypermethylation of SFRP genes was restricted to patients with core binding factor (CBF) leukaemia, and aberrant methylation of the SFRP2 promoter was an adverse risk factor for survival in CBF leukaemia.
The impact of childhood conditions and concurrent morbidities on child health and well‐being
Authors: Waters E. , Davis E. , Nicolas C. , Wake M. , Lo S. K.
Published: June 2008

Background  Understanding the impact of illnesses and morbidities experienced by children and adolescents is essential to clinical and population health programme decision making and intervention research. This study sought to: (1) examine the population prevalence of physical and mental health conditions for children and quantify their impact on multiple dimensions of children's health and well‐being; and (2) examine the cumulative effect of concurrent conditions.

Methods  We conducted a cross‐sectional school‐based epidemiological study of 5414 children and adolescents aged 5–18 years, and examined parental reports of child health and well‐being using the parent‐report Child Health Questionnaire (CHQ) PF50 13 scales are scored on a 0–100 pt scale with clinically meaningful differences of five points and the presence of childhood conditions (illnesses and health problems).

Results  Asthma, dental, vision and allergies are the most commonly identified health problems for children and adolescents, followed by attention‐ and behaviour‐related problems (asthma 17.9–23.2%, dental 11.9–22.7%, vision 7.2–14.7%, chronic allergies 8.8–13.9%, attention problems 5.1–13.8% and behaviour problems 5.7–12.0%). As the number of concurrent health problems increase, overall health and well‐being decreases substantively with mean differences in CHQ scale scores of 14 points (−7.69 to −21.51) for physical health conditions, and 28 points (−5.15 to −33.81) for mental health conditions.

Conclusions  Children's health and well‐being decreases linearly with increasing presence and frequency of health problems. Having three or more conditions concurrently significantly burdens children's health and well‐being, particularly for family‐related CHQ domains, with a greater burden experienced for mental health conditions than physical health conditions.
Distinct light responses of the adaxial and abaxial stomata in intact leaves of Helianthus annuus L.
Authors: WANG YIN , NOGUCHI KO , TERASHIMA ICHIRO
Published: June 2008

Using a laboratory‐constructed system that can measure the gas exchange rates of two leaf surfaces separately, the light responses of the adaxial and abaxial stomata in intact leaves of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) were investigated, keeping the intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci) at 300 µL L−1. When evenly illuminating both sides of the leaf, the stomatal conductance (gs) of the abaxial surface was higher than that of the adaxial surface at any light intensity. When each surface of the leaf was illuminated separately, both the adaxial and abaxial stomata were more sensitive to the light transmitted through the leaf (self‐transmitted light) than to direct illumination. Relationships between the whole leaf photosynthetic rate (An) and the gs for each side highlighted a strong dependence of stomatal opening on mesophyll photosynthesis. Light transmitted through another leaf was more effective than the direct white light for the abaxial stomata, but not for the adaxial stomata. Moreover, green monochromatic light induced an opening of the abaxial stomata, but not of the adaxial stomata. As the proportion of blue light in the transmitted light is less than that in the white light, there may be some uncharacterized light responses, which are responsible for the opening of the abaxial stomata by the transmitted, green light.
Estimated one‐yr glomerular filtration rate is an excellent predictor of long‐term graft survival in pediatric first kidney transplants
Authors: Muscheites Jutta , Wigger Marianne , Drueckler Erdmute , Klaassen Ilka , John Ulrike , Wygoda Simone , Fischer Dagmar‐Christiane , Kundt Guenther , Misselwitz Joachim , Müller‐Wiefel Dirk‐E , Haffner Dieter
Published: June 2008

Abstract:  Acute rejection episodes following pediatric renal transplantation have been progressively reduced by recent immunosuppressive regimens. Nevertheless, grafts continue to fail over time and surrogate parameters for long‐term RGS are lacking. We investigated post‐transplant renal function within the first yr as an independent predictor of long‐term RGS in 104 pediatric first kidney transplant recipients (mean age 11.1 ± 3.9 yr; mean follow‐up 8.3 ± 3.5 yr) transplanted between January 1989 and December 2000. GFR was assessed by use of the Schwartz formula at 30 days and six and 12 months after transplantation, respectively. Patients were further stratified at all times according to GFR: (i) GFR<45 mL/min/1.73 m2, (ii) GFR 45–80 mL/min/1.73 m2, and (iii) GFR>80 mL/min/1.73 m2. Cox regression analysis including factors potentially influencing long‐term RGS, e.g., age, gender, transplant yr, HLA‐mismatch, underlying renal disease, clinical acute rejection, absolute GFR as well as the change in GFR within the first yr was performed. Graft failure occurred in 24 out of 104 patients (23%) 6.2 yr (mean) after transplantation corresponding to a cumulative five‐yr graft survival of 87.5%. GFRs at 30 days and six and 12 months were significantly associated with long‐term RGS in the univariate cox regression analysis (GFR at 30 days, p = 0.045; GFR at six months, p = 0.004; GFR at 12 months, p < 0.001). None of the other variables were significant parameters of correlation. Multivariate cox analysis revealed a GFR below 45 mL/min/1.73 m2 at 12 months after transplantation as the only independent predictor of long‐term RGS (hazard ratio 55.9, 95% CI 5.29–591, p = 0.001). GFR at 12 months post‐transplant is an excellent surrogate parameter for long‐term RGS in children. This parameter might be useful as a primary end‐point in short‐term pediatric clinical trials.
Structural and Immunohistochemical Features of the Epididymal Duct Unit of the Ostrich (Struthio camelus)
Authors: Aire T. A. , Ozegbe P. C. , Soley J. T. , Madekurozwa M.‐C.
Published: June 2008

The epididymal duct unit, comprising the ductus conjugens, ductus epididymidis and ductus deferens, was studied histologically, ultrastructurally and immunohistochemically in five sexually mature and active birds. The main morphological features of the pre‐dominant non‐ciliated (type III) cell of the epithelial lining of this duct unit include, but are not limited to, a moderately abundant smooth or sparsely granulated endoplasmic reticulum, electron‐dense secretory granules and numerous mitochondria in the supranuclear zone of the cytoplasm. A single, large heterogeneous lipid droplet, of unknown function, was characteristically situated immediately proximal to the nucleus. The epithelium is obviously secretory and specifically, of the merocrine, and not apocrine, type of secretion. The epithelium of the epididymal duct unit was only focally and weakly to moderately immunopositive to both actin MF and desmin IF, while the duct unit was immunonegative to cytokeratin and vimentin intermediate filaments. The peritubular muscular layer was moderately to strongly positive to both actin and desmin, and negative to cytokeratins and vimentin.
Endothelin‐positive Mast Cells in Porcine Renal Artery and Vein
Authors: Vodenicharov A.
Published: June 2008

For a first time the endothelin (ET)‐positive mast cells were examined in the wall of kidney renal artery and vein. The specimen’s were collected from six 8‐month‐old Danmark Landrace pigs, immediately after slaughtering. Mast cells immunopositive to ET granules were observed in the wall of both artery and vein. In the renal artery, they were found mostly between the media and the adventitia. Some mast cells were found in the media, next to smooth muscle cells. Relatively few mast cells were found in the intima and between intima and tunica media. In the renal vein a smaller number of mast cells were observed. They showed similar localization as in the renal artery. Immunopositive mast cells were established also close to endothelial cells – mostly between internal elastic membrane and basal membrane of the endothelium. In conclusion, on the basis of obtained results, presumptions for active participation of ET (most probably mainly ET‐1) in the motility of the vessels’ smooth muscle and for stimulation of nitric oxide release from the intimal endothelial cells were made.
Origin of the Infrarenal Part of the Caudal Vena cava in the Pig
Authors: Cornillie P. , Van Den Broeck W. , Simoens P.
Published: June 2008

The vascular topography in the lumbar region of pig embryos and young fetuses was three‐dimensionally reconstructed to study some controversial aspects of the origin and development of the infrarenal part of the caudal vena cava. Contrary to general belief, it was found that the supracardinal veins, which form the azygos veins in the thorax, do not take part in the construction of the caudal vena cava in the lumbar region. These veins do appear in the abdomen, but they are only involved in the formation of the lumbar and ascending lumbar veins. The infrarenal part of the caudal vena cava arises from the lumbar part of the right caudal cardinal vein. Whilst this venous pattern is established, the lumbar part of the left caudal cardinal vein disappears and its former location is occupied by large lymphatic connections between the cysterna chyli and the retroperitoneal mesenteric lymphatic sac. On the basis of these findings, a number of hypotheses on the development of anatomical variations of the caudal vena cava should be reconsidered.
Influence of Osteopontin in Bovine Uterine Tube Fluid on Sperm Binding and Fertilization in RCA‐1 Lectin‐treated Oocytes
Authors: Gonçalves RF , Wolinetz CG , Barnabe VH , Killian GJ
Published: June 2008

Contents

This study was conducted to determine the effect of pre‐exposure of oocytes to Ricinus communis (RCA‐1) lectin and osteopontin (OPN) in uterine tube fluid (UTF) on in vitro sperm–egg binding and fertilization. In vitro‐matured bovine oocytes were incubated (39°C, 5% CO2 in air) for 2 h in the following treatments: (i) 500 μl of fertilization medium (FM); (ii) 250 μl of FM with 0.25 ml of non‐luteal ampullary uterine tube fluid (NLAUTF); (iii) 250 μl of FM with 250 μl of NLAUTF and 4 μl of RCA‐1 lectin; (iv) 250 μl of FM with 250 μl of NLAUTF, a rabbit polyclonal antibody (1:200) against purified bovine milk OPN, and RCA‐1 lectin; (v) 500 μl of FM and RCA‐1 lectin. Following incubation, oocytes were washed, placed in FM with 2 μg heparin, and incubated with 1 × 105 frozen–thawed spermatozoa per 10 oocytes. Oocytes used to assess sperm binding were stained with Hoescht 33342, and the number of sperm bound per zona pellucida counted. The remaining oocytes were fixed in acid alcohol, stained with 1% acetate‐orcein and observed to determine the presence of pronuclei. More sperm bound to the zona pellucida (mean ± SEM) when oocytes were incubated in treatment 3 (59.0 ± 5.5) than in treatments 2 (46.4 ± 5.6), 4 (18.1 ± 5.4), 5 (33.4 ± 5.6) or 1 (32.5 ± 5.6). More oocytes were fertilized when incubated in treatment 3 (91% ± 3.0) than in 2 (84% ± 3.0), 4 (40% ± 3.0), 5 (77% ± 3.0) or 1 (76% ± 3.0). As in previous studies, this study suggests that RCA‐1 lectin enhances binding of UTF‐derived OPN to bovine oocytes, resulting in increased sperm–egg binding and fertilization in vitro and a possible role in fertilization.
Evidence for a direct subthalamo‐cortical loop circuit in the rat
Authors: Degos Bertrand , Deniau Jean‐Michel , Le Cam Julie , Mailly Philippe , Maurice Nicolas
Published: June 2008

The subthalamic nucleus (STN), a major component of the basal ganglia (BG), plays a crucial role in motor activity and cognitive functions. In current models of the BG, the STN is considered to act by activating the γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic neurons of the BG output nuclei, thus inhibiting their thalamic and brain stem targets. However, in addition to the BG output nuclei, the STN has also been reported to innervate the cerebral cortex and the striatum. Here, the anatomo‐functional organization of STN projections to the cerebral cortex was investigated using anatomical and electrophysiological approaches. First, wheatgerm agglutinin‐conjugated horseradish peroxidase was injected into defined areas of the cerebral cortex to analyse the spatial distribution of retrogradely labelled STN neurons. The mode of cortical innervation by the STN was then determined using extracellular deposits of Phaseolus vulgaris‐leucoagglutinin into the STN. Finally, the functional organization of the cortico‐STN relationships was investigated by extracellularly recording single STN units antidromically driven from the cerebral cortex. Our results indicate that STN innervates the sensory‐motor and prefrontal cortices, the densest projections terminating in cortical layers I–III of the orofacial motor area. The matching between the topographic distribution of subthalamo‐cortical neurons and cortico‐subthalamic projections forms the basis of a functional cortico‐STN loop circuit that is partially opened. In pathological situations such as Parkinson’s disease and epilepsy, the STN‐cortex loop circuit might contribute to propagate pathological oscillations favouring the emergence of abnormal synchronized activities and a loss of functional selectivity in the cortico‐BG network.
Do arthropod assemblages display globally consistent responses to intensified agricultural land use and management?
Authors: Attwood S. J. , Maron M. , House A. P. N. , Zammit C.
Published: June 2008

Aim  To determine whether arthropod richness and abundance for combined taxa, feeding guilds and broad taxonomic groups respond in a globally consistent manner to a range of agricultural land‐use and management intensification scenarios.

Location  Mixed land‐use agricultural landscapes, globally.

Methods  We performed a series of meta‐analyses using arthropod richness and abundance data derived from the published literature. Richness and abundance were compared among land uses that commonly occur in agricultural landscapes and that represent a gradient of increasing intensification. These included land‐use comparisons, such as wooded native vegetation compared with improved pasture, and a management comparison, reduced‐input cropping compared with conventional cropping. Data were analysed using three different meta‐analytical techniques, including a simple vote counting method and a formal fixed‐effects/random‐effects meta‐analysis.

Results  Arthropod richness was significantly higher in areas of less intensive land use. The decline in arthropod richness was greater between native vegetation and agricultural land uses than among different agricultural land uses. These patterns were evident for all taxa combined, predators and decomposers, but not herbivorous taxa. Overall, arthropod abundance was greater in native vegetation than in agricultural lands and under reduced‐input cropping compared with conventional cropping. Again, this trend was largely mirrored by predators and decomposers, but not herbivores.

Main conclusions  The greater arthropod richness found in native vegetation relative to agricultural land types indicates that in production landscapes still containing considerable native vegetation, retention of that vegetation may well be the most effective method of conserving arthropod biodiversity. Conversely, in highly intensified agricultural landscapes with little remaining native vegetation, the employment of reduced‐input crop management and the provision of relatively low‐intensity agricultural land uses, such as pasture, may prove effective in maintaining arthropod diversity, and potentially in promoting functionally important groups such as predators and decomposers.
How Law Thinks of Disobedience: Perceiving and Addressing Desertion and Conscientious Objection in Israeli Military Courts
Authors: AVIRAM HADAR
Published: June 2008

The study transcends the dichotomy “law in the books”/“law in action” by taking law's knowledge‐production mechanisms seriously. It examines how the Israeli military justice system perceives and addresses disobedience toward the mandatory military service duty by deserters and conscientious objectors. Both groups resist the military service ethos but differ in the offenders’ demographics and motivations. The findings show how law co‐opts the socio‐political problems, assimilates them, and transforms them to narrow its framework. The legal system can be cognitively open to external frameworks introduced by powerful and resourceful defendants; it remains, however, normatively closed to alternative rules and perspectives.
The Role of State Advertising in Latin American Newspapers: Was the Demise of Nicaragua’s Barricada Newspaper Political Sabotage?
Authors: KODRICH KRIS
Published: June 2008

Barricada, a daily newspaper in Nicaragua, closed in 1998. The editor said his newspaper was a victim of a government policy to remove state advertising from Barricada, which was the official newspaper of the opposition Sandinista political party. This study examines the role of state advertising as a means of governmental control of the news media. The study finds evidence to support the claim that Barricada was the victim of a partisan campaign to withhold advertising. But it also finds that the Sandinistas had done the same thing when they were in power in the 1980s.
Hypersensitivity reactions associated with endovascular devices
Authors: Honari Golara , Ellis Stephen G. , Wilkoff Bruce L. , Aronica Mark A. , Svensson Lars G. , Taylor James S.
Published: June 2008

Allergic reactions to endoprostheses are uncommon and reported in association with orthopaedic, dental, endovascular and other implanted devices. Hypersensitivity reactions to the biomaterials used in endovascular prostheses are among the infrequent reactions that may lead to local or systemic complications following cardiovascular therapeutic interventions. This article reviews potential immunotoxic effects of commonly used biomaterials. Reports of putative hypersensitivity reactions to endovascular devices, including coronary stents, perforated foramen occluders, pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators are also reviewed.
Release of nickel from coins and deposition onto skin from coin handling – comparing euro coins and SEK
Authors: Lidén Carola , Skare Lizbet , Vahter Marie
Published: June 2008

Background:  Nickel exposure is the most common cause of contact allergy. The role of contact with nickel‐containing coins has been controversial.

Objectives:  To compare the release of nickel from 1 and 2 EUR coins (both composed of two alloys: Cu 75%, Zn 20%, Ni 5% and Cu 75%, Ni 25%) and Swedish 1 SEK coin (alloy: Cu 75%, Ni 25%) and to assess the deposition of nickel onto skin by coin handling.

Methods:  Nickel release was determined by immersion in artificial sweat (2 min, 1 hr, 24 hr, and 1 week). Deposition of nickel onto the skin was assessed in three subjects after 1‐hr handling of 2 EUR and 1 SEK coins. Samples (n = 48) were taken from fingers and palms by acid wipe sampling and analysed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.

Results:  Amounts of nickel released by 1 week from 1 SEK, 1 EUR, and 2 EUR coins were 121, 86, and 99 μg/cm2, respectively. Corresponding 2 min values were 0.11, 0.25, and 0.22 μg/cm2. Nickel was deposited onto the skin by 1 hr coin handling (range 0.09–4.1 μg/cm2), the largest amounts were on fingers; similar amounts of nickel were deposited from 1 SEK and 2 EUR coins.

Conclusions:  Nickel is released from 1 and 2 EUR and 1 SEK coins at similar amounts. Nickel is deposited onto skin at substantial and similar amounts by coin handling. Acid wipe sampling is suitable for studies of skin exposure to nickel and in risk assessment.