bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vascular endothelial growth factor in diabetic and nondiabetic canine cataract patients
Authors: Abrams Kenneth L. , Stabila Paul F. , Kauper Konrad , Elliott Susan
Published: March 2011

Objective  To measure vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels in aqueous humor, serum, and plasma in diabetic and nondiabetic cataractous dogs.

Methods  Canine VEGF was assayed in the plasma and serum of 32 dogs (20 diabetics; 12 nondiabetics) and aqueous humor in 57 eyes of those dogs (39 diabetic; 18 nondiabetic) undergoing phacoemulsification, using a commercial canine VEGF assay. Statistical analysis was performed using Fisher’s PLSD, t‐test, and regression analysis to compare values by diabetic status, duration of diabetes, age, weight, gender, left vs. right eye, and blood clarity.

Results  Plasma, but not serum or aqueous humor VEGF values of diabetics were significantly greater than nondiabetics (P = 0.019). Older nondiabetics (10–15 years) had higher plasma VEGF values than younger (0–5 and 5–10 years) dogs (P = 0.0002 and 0.0001, respectively). There was no significant difference in aqueous humor VEGF between left and right eyes in all patients. Serum and plasma, but not aqueous humor, VEGF values in females were significantly higher than males in both groups.

Conclusion  Similar to human diabetic patients, VEGF aqueous humor values in all dogs are significantly higher than blood values. Aqueous humor VEGF values in human diabetics are elevated and correlate with the severity of diabetic retinopathy. However, aqueous humor values of VEGF in diabetic dogs are not greater than nondiabetics and may serve to protect the dog against development of diabetic retinopathy.
Primary central corneal hemangiosarcoma in a dog
Authors: Haeussler Jr. David J. , Rodríguez Laura Muñoz , Wilkie David A. , Premanandan Chris
Published: March 2011

Purpose To report a case of primary central corneal hemangiosarcoma in the dog.

Methods An 11‐year‐old, neutered, female, German shepherd mixed breed dog was referred to the Hospital Veterinario Sierra de Madrid (Spain) for evaluation of an enlarging corneal mass of the left eye (OS). The dog was predominantly housed outdoors and was diagnosed with a history of chronic superficial keratitis of both eyes (OU) by the referring veterinarian. The corneal mass was resected by routine superficial keratectomy and submitted for histopathology and Factor VIII immunohistochemical staining.

Results The mass was diagnosed as a corneal hemangiosarcoma with complete excision. Postoperatively, the keratectomy site healed without complication and there was no evidence of recurrence three and a half months postoperatively. Complete systemic evaluation, including abdominal ultrasound and CT scan of the head and thorax, indicated no other detectable neoplasia in the dog.

Discussion Outdoor housing and ultraviolet exposure, breed, and chronic superficial keratitis were all suspected as contributing factors to the development of a primary corneal hemangiosarcoma. Surgical removal and postoperative treatment for chronic superficial keratitis provided effective therapy.
Tissue distribution of dexamethasone in feline ocular structures following single topical application of dexamethasone as an ointment or suspension
Authors: Bessonova Julia , Meyer‐Lindenberg Andrea , Bäumer Wolfgang , Kietzmann Manfred
Published: March 2011

Objective  To compare the dexamethasone concentration in various structures of the feline eye following a single topical application of dexamethasone as an ophthalmic ointment or suspension.

Animals studied  Nineteen cats, euthanized due to reasons not related to this study, were selected and their ocular health status evaluated. Selected animals were treated with dexamethasone ointment or suspension.

Procedure  The concentration of dexamethasone was determined in the following structures of the eye: third eyelid, cornea, aqueous humor, iris, lens, vitreous body, and choroid/retina. The dexamethasone concentration in the eye was measured by radioimmunoassay. The applied amount of dexamethasone was 0.05 mg in 0.05 mL Isopto Dex® ophthalmic suspension and 0.05 mL Isopto Dex® ophthalmic ointment, respectively. Cats were treated once with ointment or suspension and were euthanized 3 h or 6 h after treatment.

Results  At 3 h after topical administration the highest concentrations of dexamethasone were measured in the anterior structures of the eye. The concentrations after application of ointment and suspension were comparable. However, 6 h after administration, the concentrations decreased after administration of suspension and increased further after administration of the ointment, leading to significantly higher concentrations of dexamethasone in the third eyelid, cornea and choroid/retina after treatment with ointment.

Conclusion  Therapeutically relevant concentrations of dexamethasone after a single topical administration were only achieved in the anterior structures of the eye. Six hours after application there was a substantially higher amount of dexamethasone in the anterior structures of cat eyes treated with ophthalmic ointment compared to ophthalmic suspension.
Epidemiology of canine glaucoma presented to University of Zurich from 1995 to 2009. Part 2: secondary glaucoma (217 cases)
Authors: Strom Ann Refstrup , Hässig Michael , Iburg Tine M. , Spiess Bernhard M.
Published: March 2011

Objective To investigate the epidemiology of canine secondary glaucomas in the cases presented to the University of Zurich, Vetsuisse Faculty (UZH) from 1995 to 2009 focusing on possible risk factors for developing secondary glaucoma in this population of dogs.

Methods Information was obtained from the computer database of patients examined by members of the UZH Ophthalmology Service, between January 1995 and August 2009. Secondary glaucoma was diagnosed based on the presence of antecedent eye conditions. The data was evaluated for breed, gender, age at presentation, and for antecedent eye conditions known to cause glaucoma including anterior uveitis of unknown cause (AU), lens luxation (LL), intraocular surgery (SX), intraocular neoplasia (IN), unspecified trauma to the globe (T), ocular melanosis (OM), hypermature cataract (PY), hyphema (HY), and six other less frequent conditions.

Results A total of 217 dogs were diagnosed with secondary glaucoma from 1995 to 2009. The age of the dogs with secondary glaucoma ranged between 88 days and 19 years (mean 7.7 ± 3.6 years). Data suggested a predisposition for secondary glaucoma in the Cairn Terrier and the Jack Russell Terrier breeds from 2004 to 2009. Common causes of secondary glaucoma from 1995 to 2009 were AU (23.0%), LL (22.6%), SX (13.4%), IN (10.6%), T (8.3%), OM and PY (both 6.9%) and HY (3.23%).

Conclusion The report presents the epidemiology of secondary glaucomas presented to UZH from 1995 to 2009. Fourteen risk factors were recorded for secondary glaucoma. This is the first paper documenting OM in the Swiss Cairn Terrier dog population.
Epidemiology of canine glaucoma presented to University of Zurich from 1995 to 2009. Part 1: Congenital and primary glaucoma (4 and 123 cases)
Authors: Strom Ann Refstrup , Hässig Michael , Iburg Tine M. , Spiess Bernhard M.
Published: March 2011

Objective To investigate the epidemiology of canine congenital and primary glaucoma in the cases presented to the University of Zurich, Vetsuisse Faculty (UZH) from 1995 to 2009.

Methods Information was obtained from the computer database of patients examined by members of the UZH Ophthalmology Service, between January 1995 and August 2009. Congenital and primary glaucoma was diagnosed based on the age of onset, the lack of evidence of any antecedent eye conditions, and/or the presence and severity of iridocorneal angle defects. The data was evaluated for breed, gender and age at presentation.

Results A total of 5984 dogs presented to the UZH Ophthalmology service between 1995 and 2009. Four dogs of different breed were diagnosed with congenital glaucoma and 123 dogs were diagnosed with primary glaucoma. For the primary glaucomas the overall male to female ratio (M:F) was 1:1.41 and the age of onset ranged from 0.12 to 18.3 years with a mean of 7.3 ± 3.6 years. Data suggested a predisposition for primary glaucoma in the Siberian Husky, Magyar Vizsla and Newfoundland from 2004 to 2009.

Conclusion The report presents the epidemiology of canine congenital and primary glaucomas presented to the UZH from 1995 to 2009. A previous suspicion of predisposition for primary glaucoma in the Newfoundland dog (n = 6) and the Magyar Vizsla breed (n = 8) was confirmed.
Client Risk Factors and Audit Resource Allocation Decisions
Authors: FUKUKAWA HIRONORI , MOCK THEODORE J. , WRIGHT ARNOLD
Published: March 2011

While contemporary auditing standards such as ISA 315 provide broad categories of client risks, prior research regarding audit resource allocation decisions has been based on individual client risks. This study contributes to the literature by using factor analysis to examine how individual client risks are categorized into broad risk factors and by examining the extent to which such broad risk factors are associated with audit engagement planning decisions. These issues are important because auditing standards direct auditors to consider risk patterns and interrelationships in addition to individual risks. Finally, we consider additional individual client risks that reflect those relevant to contemporaneous audit approaches and have not been examined in prior studies.

Based on archival data extracted from the working papers of 228 clients of a Japanese audit firm, we find that individual client risks empirically group together in a way that is similar to categories discussed in recent auditing standards. We also find significant relationships between audit resource allocation decisions and broad risk factors that have not been found in prior studies which use individual risk assessments in their models. Finally, we find that client risks that are emphasized in holistic audit approaches such as aggressiveness of forecasts and industry decline also have a significant impact on audit resource allocations.
Optimal Expansion Financing and Prior Financial Structure*
Authors: SARKAR SUDIPTO
Published: March 2011

This paper identifies jointly the optimal investment trigger and the optimal financing package for a corporate expansion project, using a real‐option ‘trade‐off’ model with agency problems. It also identifies the optimal initial capital structure of the firm (before the expansion). We show that it is generally optimal to use more debt than equity to finance the expansion. The other results are as follows: (i) existing debt has a negative effect, while the debt component of expansion financing has a positive effect, on investment; (ii) the debt component of the optimal expansion financing package is a decreasing function of the pre‐expansion leverage ratio (consistent with mean reverting leverage ratios), and is also decreasing in the magnitude of the expansion opportunity; and (iii) the optimal pre‐expansion leverage ratio is a decreasing function of both the firm's profitability and the magnitude of the growth opportunity. These relationships are generally consistent with empirical evidence, and help reconcile the trade‐off theory of capital structure with apparently contradictory empirical evidence.
Two Common Problems in Capital Structure Research: The Financial‐Debt‐To‐Asset Ratio and Issuing Activity Versus Leverage Changes
Authors: WELCH IVO
Published: March 2011

This paper points out two common problems in capital structure research. First, although it is not clear whether non‐financial liabilities should be considered debt, they should never be considered as equity. Yet, the common financial‐debt‐to‐asset ratio (FD/AT) measure of leverage commits this mistake. Thus, research on increases in FD/AT explains, at least in part, decreases in non‐financial liabilities. Future research should avoid FD/AT altogether. The paper also quantifies the components of the balance sheet of large publicly traded corporations and discusses the role of cash in measuring leverage ratios. Second, equity‐issuing activity should not be viewed as equivalent to capital structure changes. Empirically, the correlation between the two is weak. The capital structure and capital issuing literature are distinct.
Monte Carlo Simulations and Capital Structure Research*
Authors: CHANG XIN , DASGUPTA SUDIPTO
Published: March 2011

The evolution of the debt ratio under alternative types of managerial behavior can generate non‐standard leverage processes. This creates problems for statistical inference in empirical capital structure research. We argue in this paper that when the data generating process is not standard, a useful way to evaluate the appropriateness of inferences and the empirical methodology is via Monte Carlo simulations that mimic the data generating process under alternative assumptions about managerial behavior. We illustrate with several examples.
Experiences of caretime during hospitalization in a medical ward: older patients’ perspective
Authors: Andersson Lena , Burman Marie , Skär Lisa
Published: March 2011

Scand J Caring Sci; 2011; 25; 646–652

Experiences of caretime during hospitalization in a medical ward: older patients’ perspective

The population is ageing the world over, and there is an increasing prevalence of chronic illness and complex conditions. Older people are at greater risk of having several complications than the general population, leading to more time spent in hospital and an increased risk of readmission. The most specific need of older patients is often the multiple need of care. The aim of this study was to describe older patients’ experiences of caretime during a hospitalization in a medical ward. Data were collected with semi‐structured interviews with nine older patients, and analysed using qualitative thematic content analysis. The analysis resulted in two themes and five categories. The results show that caretime during hospitalization includes a lot of waiting and that patients manage the waiting in different ways. The results also point out the importance of patients developing good relationships with professionals since good relations creates feelings of security and can reduce anxiety and fear during a hospital stay. The patients pointed out the importance of being more involved in their own care and asked for more detailed information about the hospital stay. The results revealed that information makes patients’ more secure and safe during a hospitalization and makes them participate and affect their own care and treatment more.
Comparison of language impairment in late-onset depression and Alzheimer's disease
Authors: da Silva Novaretti Tânia M. , D'Ávila Freitas Maria I. , Mansur Letícia L. , Nitrini Ricardo , Radanovic Marcia
Published: March 2011

Objectives:Depression and dementia are highly prevalent in the elderly. Language impairment is an inherent component of Alzheimer's disease (AD), which can also be encountered in depressed patients. The aim of this study wasto compare the profiles of language abilities in late-onset depression and mild AD groups.

Methods:We studied 25 patients with late-onset depression (mean age 73.6 ± 6.6 years; schooling 9.1 ± 5.7 years) and 30 patients with mild AD (77.6 ± 5.4 years; 7.5 ± 7.1 years) using the Arizona Battery for Communication Disorders of Dementia (ABCD), compared to a group of 30 controls (73.8 ± 5.8 years; 9.1 ± 5.4 years). Cut-off scores to discriminate between Controls × Depression and Depression × AD were determined.

Results:Depressed patients' scores were similar to AD in confrontation naming, concept definition, following commands, repetition and reading comprehension (sentence). Episodic memory and mental status subtests were useful in differentiating depressed patients from AD, a result that was reproduced when using analysis of covariance to control for the effect of age in the same subtests (p= 0.01 and 0.04, respectively).

Conclusion:Language impairment resembling AD was found in the aforementioned language subtests of the ABCD in elderly depressed patients; the mental status and episodic memory subtests were useful to discriminate between AD and depression. The ABCD has proven to be a suitable tool for language evaluation in this population and should aid in the differentiation of AD and pseudodementia (as that of depression).
Conversion of linoleic acid and alpha‐linolenic acid to long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs), with a focus on pregnancy, lactation and the first 2 years of life
Authors: Gibson Robert A. , Muhlhausler Bev , Makrides Maria
Published: March 2011

Over the past two decades, there has been a marked shift in the fatty acid composition of the diets of industrialized nations towards increased intake of the n‐6 fatty acid linoleic acid (LA, 18:2n‐6), largely as a result of the replacement of saturated fats with plant‐based polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA). While health agencies internationally continue to advocate for high n‐6 PUFA intake combined with increased intakes of preformed n‐3 long‐chain PUFAs (LCPUFA) docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n‐3) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n‐3) to reduce the incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD), there are questions as to whether this is the best approach. LA competes with alpha‐linolenic acid (18:3n‐3) for endogenous conversion to the LC derivatives EPA and DHA, and LA also inhibits incorporation of DHA and EPA into tissues. Thus, high‐LA levels in the diet generally result in low n‐3 LCPUFA status. Pregnancy and infancy are developmental periods during which the fatty acid supply is particularly critical. The importance of an adequate supply of n‐3 LCPUFA for ensuring optimal development of infant brain and visual systems is well established, and there is now evidence that the supply of n‐3 LCPUFA also influences a range of growth, metabolic and immune outcomes in childhood. This review will re‐evaluate the health benefits of modern Western diets and pose the question of whether the introduction of similar diets to nations with emerging economies is the most prudent public health strategy for improving health in these populations.
Genetic variation in polyunsaturated fatty acid metabolism and its potential relevance for human development and health
Authors: Glaser Claudia , Lattka Eva , Rzehak Peter , Steer Colin , Koletzko Berthold
Published: March 2011

Blood and tissue contents of polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) and long‐chain PUFA (LC‐PUFA) are related to numerous health outcomes including cardiovascular health, allergies, mental health and cognitive development. Evidence has accumulated to show that in addition to diet, common polymorphisms in the fatty acid desaturase (FADS) gene cluster have very marked effects on human PUFA and LC‐PUFA status. Recent results suggest that in addition to fatty acid desaturase 1 and fatty acid desaturase 2, the gene product of fatty acid desaturase 3 is associated with desaturating activity. New data have become available to show that FADS single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) also modulate docosahexaenoic acid status in pregnancy as well as LC‐PUFA levels in children and in human milk. There are indications that FADS SNPs modulate the risk for allergic disorders and eczema, and the effect of breastfeeding on later cognitive development. Mechanisms by which FADS SNPs modulate PUFA levels in blood, breast milk and tissues should be explored further. More studies are required to explore the effects of FADS gene variants in populations with different ethnic backgrounds, lifestyles and dietary habits, and to investigate in greater depth the interaction of gene variants, diet and clinical end points, including immune response and developmental outcomes. Analyses of FADS gene variants should be included into all sizeable cohort and intervention studies addressing biological effects of PUFA and LC‐PUFA in order to consider these important confounders, and to enhance study sensitivity and precision.
Characterization of monomeric substates of ascorbate oxidase
Authors: Di Venere Almerinda , Nicolai Eleonora , Rosato Nicola , Rossi Antonello , Finazzi Agrò Alessandro , Mei Giampiero
Published: March 2011

Ascorbate oxidase (AAO) is a large, multidomain, dimeric protein whose folding/unfolding pathway is characterized by a complex, multistep process. Here we used fluorescence correlation spectroscopy to demonstrate the formation of partially folded monomers by pH‐induced full dissociation into subunits. Hence, the structural features of monomeric AAO could be studied by fluorescence and CD spectroscopy. We found that the monomers keep their secondary structure, whereas subtle conformational changes in the tertiary structure become apparent. AAO dissociation has also been studied when unfolding the protein by high hydrostatic pressure at different pH values. A strong protein concentration dependence was observed at pH 8, whereas the enzyme was either monomeric or dimeric at pH 10 and 6, respectively. The calculated volume change associated with the unfolding of monomeric AAO, ΔV ∼ −55 mL·mol−1, is in the range observed for most proteins of the same size. These findings demonstrate that partially folded monomeric species might populate the energy landscape of AAO and that the overall AAO stability is crucially controlled by a few quaternary interactions at the subunits’ interface.
Truth in Fiction
Authors: Woodward Richard
Published: March 2011

When we engage with a work of fiction we gain knowledge about what is fictionally true in that work. Our grasp of what is true in a fiction is central to our engagement with representational works of art, and to our assessments of their merits. Of course, it is sometimes difficult to determine what is fictional – it is a good question whether the main character of American Psycho is genuinely psychotic or merely delusional, for instance. (And even in this case, our ignorance itself is crucial to how we engage with the story and assess its qualities.) But in the vast majority of cases, we have no difficulty distinguishing what is fictionally true from what is not. Every attentive reader of Bleak House knows that it is fictional that Esther is Lady Dedlock’s daughter, but not fictional that Ada is the daughter of John Jarndyce. Moreover, we do not think that our judgements about what is fictional are based on guesswork. We have a folk theory of fictional truth, in the sense that we have a relatively stable framework upon which we rely when we engage with fiction, and we face the challenge of characterizing that theory systematically.
Toriello Carey syndrome: genetic, clinical, and oral considerations: a case report
Authors: de Carvalho Maretti Márcia Bueno , Haddad Aida Sabbagh , Ferreira Maria Cristina Duarte , de Oliveira Guaré Renata , Alonso Luís Garcia
Published: March 2011

Toriello Carey syndrome is a rare recessive autosomal disease whose clinical manifestations are more evident in males. Some authors report that the general characteristics of this disease are agenesis of the corpus callosum, mental disability, convulsions, atrial septal defect, pulmonary artery stenosis, pyloric stenosis, and hypospadias. Facial and cranial alterations may occur, including hypertelorism, telecanthus, divergent strabismus, malformed ears, anteverted nares, retrognathism, and cleft palate. This paper reports on a 13‐year‐old male with Toriello Carey syndrome and leucoderma, and describes his oral problems and his dental care.
Oral health and oral motor function in children with cerebral palsy
Authors: de Carvalho Reyjanne Barros , Mendes Regina F. , Prado Jr Raimundo R. , Neto José Machado Moita
Published: March 2011

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of the type of cerebral palsy (CP) and oral motor function (OMF) on the oral health status of children and adolescents with CP in Teresina, Piauí, Brazil. The sample consisted of 52 children with CP, aged 7 to 18 years. The data were statistically analyzed using chi‐square tests. In 73.1% of the sample, the subjects’ caregivers carried out the daily oral care. There was a significant association between the frequency of daily care and the subject's level of oral hygiene (p= .037). A diagnosis of Class II malocclusion was made for 55.8% of the sample, and defects of enamel formation were found in 38.5% of the subjects. There was no significant correlation between DMFT (decayed, missing, filled teeth) and socioeconomic status of the subjects (r = .254, p= .069). A significant association was found between quadriplegia and OMF (χ2= 7.88, p= .019). The type of CP and OMF did not influence the levels of plaque and caries indices in the children with CP, but increased frequency of toothbrushing did result in an improved oral hygiene index.
Perceptions of dental esthetics among older African Americans
Authors: Saunders Ralph , Sithole Vivian , Koutrouli Eleni , Feng Changyong , Malmstrom Hans
Published: March 2011

Older adults have greater potential for issues with the appearance of their teeth than other age groups. Conditions including missing teeth, fractured or missing restorations, and excessive tooth wear are common and may potentially affect individuals’ perceptions of their dental esthetics.

These perceptions about dental conditions may be significant because previous research suggests that they may impact elders’ quality of life.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the esthetic ranking of specific dental conditions by a population of African American elderly, utilizing methods similar to those of an earlier study of older Caucasians. These methods were designed to determine whether specific oral/facial and dental conditions were associated with similar perceptions of esthetics in a series of computer‐adjusted images regardless of gender or any other facial characteristics.

Our results suggest that, among the conditions studied, perceptions of dental esthetics of elderly African Americans were similar to those of Caucasians.
Effectiveness and cost‐effectiveness of paediatric bariatric surgery: a systematic review
Authors: Aikenhead A. , Knai C. , Lobstein T.
Published: March 2011

Strong evidence for successful and cost‐effective obesity management strategies is still generally lacking, leading the medical profession to rely increasingly on surgical options to treat obesity in children and adolescents. We performed a systematic review to examine the effectiveness of surgical interventions to treat obese children and adolescents, and whether they are cost‐effective. We searched PubMed, ISI Web of Science, Embase and the Cochrane Library to 6 September 2010, and hand‐searched bibliographies. We included articles with English abstracts if they examined subjects ≤19 years of age, reported at least one postoperative weight loss measure and at least 1 year of postoperative follow‐up. Thirty‐seven relevant papers on bariatric surgery effectiveness in 831 children or adolescents were included, spanning 36 years. Thirteen studies examined gastric banding, with mean body mass index (BMI) reductions ranging from 8.5 to 43 kg m−2. Weight gain was reported in one case study. Eight papers examined Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass, with mean BMI reductions ranging from 9 to 25 kg m−2. Fourteen publications studied other forms of bariatric surgery: sleeve gastrectomies, vertical banded gastroplasty, biliopancreatic diversion or a combination of procedures. Mean BMI reductions ranged from 9 to 24 kg m−2. Three surgery‐related mortalities were reported, as was weight regain in several cases. The majority of studies reported resolution or improvement of comorbid conditions. A range of postoperative complications were identified across surgery types, including: ulcers, intestinal leakage, wound infection, anastomotic stricture, nutritional deficiencies, bowel obstruction, pulmonary embolism, disrupted staple lines, band slippage, psychological intolerance and repeated vomiting. Evidence on cost‐effectiveness was limited to one Australian modelling project, which deemed laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding cost‐effective for adolescents. Existing evidence – although based generally on underpowered, retrospective studies – suggests that bariatric surgery in older children results in significant weight loss and improvements in comorbidities and quality of life. However, postoperative complications, compliance and follow‐up may be more problematic in adolescents than adults, and availability of long‐term data on safety, effectiveness and cost‐effectiveness remains largely unknown. Pending an improvement in the quality of available evidence, a cautious approach to child and adolescent bariatric surgery is warranted, and reversible techniques are advisable compared to approaches that permanently alter anatomy.
FORECASTING PERFORMANCE OF AN ESTIMATED DSGE MODEL FOR THE SOUTH AFRICAN ECONOMY
Authors: Alpanda Sami , Kotzé Kevin , Woglom Geoffrey
Published: March 2011

We construct a small open‐economy New Keynesian dynamic stochastic general equilibrium (DSGE) model for South Africa with nominal rigidities, incomplete international risk sharing and partial exchange rate pass‐through. The parameters of the model are estimated using Bayesian methods, and its out‐of‐sample forecasting performance is compared with Bayesian vector autoregression (VAR), classical VAR and random‐walk models. Our results indicate that the DSGE model generates forecasts that are competitive with those from other models, and it contributes statistically significant information to combined forecast measures.
MACROECONOMIC UNCERTAINTY AND CONDITIONAL STOCK MARKET VOLATILITY IN SOUTH AFRICA*
Authors: Chinzara Zivanemoyo
Published: March 2011

This paper analyses how systematic risk emanating from the macroeconomy is transmitted into stock market volatility using augmented autoregressive Generalised Autoregressive Conditional Heteroscedastic (AR‐GARCH) and vector autoregression (VAR) models. Also examined is whether the relationship between the two is bidirectional. By imposing dummies for the 1997‐1998 Asian and the 2007‐2009 sub‐prime financial crises, the study further analyses whether financial crises affect the relationship between macroeconomic uncertainty and stock market volatility. The findings show that macroeconomic uncertainty significantly influences stock market volatility. Although volatilities in inflation, the gold price and the oil price seem to play a role, it is found that volatility in short‐term interest rates and exchange rates are the most important, suggesting that South African domestic financial markets are increasingly becoming interdependent. Finally, the results show that financial crises increase volatility in the stock market and in most macroeconomic variables, and, by so doing, strengthen the effects of changes in macroeconomic variables on the stock market.
IS THERE AN ASYMMETRIC BEHAVIOUR IN AFRICAN INFLATION? A NON‐LINEAR APPROACH
Authors: Mourelle Estefania , Cuestas Juan Carlos , Gil‐alana Luis Alberiko
Published: March 2011

In this paper we test the inflation persistence hypothesis as well as model the long‐run behaviour of inflation rates in a pool of African countries using a non‐linear framework. In order to do so, we rely on unit root tests applied to non‐linear models and fractional integration. The results show that the hypothesis of inflation persistence does not hold empirically for most of the countries. In addition, the estimated models (logistic smooth transition autoregressions) are stable in the sense that the variable tends to remain in the regime (low inflation or high inflation) once reached, and changes between regimes are only achieved after a shock. The results also indicate that the effects of the shocks on inflation tend to die out; exogenous factors,i.e.supply shocks and inertia may be causing this outcome, as they play a substantial role in the determination of the inflation rates for our selected African countries.
Therapy of equine infectious keratitis: A review
Authors: CLODE A. B.
Published: March 2011

The following article briefly discusses the pathogenesis of infectious keratitis in the horse, followed by discussion of management and pharmacological aspects to be considered when devising a therapeutic protocol for affected patients.
Targeted lamellar keratoplasty in the horse: A paradigm shift in equine corneal transplantation
Authors: BROOKS D. E.
Published: March 2011

Many equine keratopathies primarily affect individual layers of the cornea. Targeted lamellar keratoplasty rather than full thickness penetrating keratoplasty (PK) seems most appropriate to the microsurgical management of many of these equine keratopathies. Despite the positive results with PK in the horse the author now suggests that this procedure should be rarely utilised in the treatment of equine keratitis. Selective lamellar surgical replacement of only the diseased corneal layers while retaining unaffected normal corneal layers represents a new paradigm shift in the field of corneal transplantation in the horse.
Controlling and Coordinating Development in Vector-Transmitted Parasites
Authors: Matthews Keith R.
Published: March 2011

Vector-borne parasites cause major human diseases of the developing world, including malaria, human African trypanosomiasis, Chagas disease, leishmaniasis, filariasis, and schistosomiasis. Although the life cycles of these parasites were defined over 100 years ago, the strategies they use to optimize their successful transmission are only now being understood in molecular terms. Parasites are now known to monitor their environment in both their host and vector and in response to other parasites. This allows them to adapt their developmental cycles and to counteract any unfavorable conditions they encounter. Here, I review the interactions that parasites engage in with their hosts and vectors to maximize their survival and spread.
Trailblazer for Patient-Centered Care
Tracking Medicine
A Researcher's Quest to Understand Health Care

by John E. Wennberg

Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2010. 339 pp. $29.95. ISBN 9780199731787.
Authors: Krumholz Harlan
Published: March 2011

Surveying his career of studying geographic variation in medical practices and outcomes across the United States, Wennberg uses his findings to suggest steps toward more effective, patient-centered health care.
Pseudomonas sax
Genes Overcome Aliphatic Isothiocyanate–Mediated Non-Host Resistance in
Arabidopsis
Authors: Fan Jun , Crooks Casey , Creissen Gary , Hill Lionel , Fairhurst Shirley , Doerner Peter , Lamb Chris
Published: March 2011

Natural-product effectors of disease resistance in
Arabidopsis
reveal complementary disabling mechanisms in the pathogen.
Dynamics of Dpp Signaling and Proliferation Control
Authors: Wartlick O. , Mumcu P. , Kicheva A. , Bittig T. , Seum C. , Jülicher F. , González-Gaitán M.
Published: March 2011

Sizing Signals

Growth regulation of the
Drosophila
wing imaginal disc critically depends on the Decapentaplegic (Dpp) morphogen gradient. How a graded Dpp signal is interpreted by cells to control homogeneous tissue growth remains unclear.

Wartlick
et al.

(p.
1154
; see the Perspective by

Le Goff and Lecuit

) address this question by measuring the spatial and temporal changes of Dpp concentration and signaling activity during the disc growth phase and by quantifying cell proliferation parameters in the discs. Both modeling and experimental findings suggest that both Dpp concentration and signaling gradients scale with tissue size so that, on average, the onset of mitosis occurs when Dpp signaling levels have increased by 50% since the beginning of the cell cycle.
Feathers Are Flying Over Colombian Bird Name Flap
Authors: Regalado Antonio
Published: March 2011

Last May, the American Bird Conservancy and its partner in Colombia, Fundación ProAves, announced the discovery of a new species of Neotropical bird. But the announcement made no mention of the bird's actual discoverer, a former employee of ProAves named Diego Carantón.
Keeping Europe's Basic Research Agency on Track
Authors: Enserink Martin
Published: March 2011

Helga Nowotny played a key role in the successful start of the European Research Council. As its president, the Austrian sociologist still has two major tasks ahead of her.
Generation and Screening of Pichia pastoris Strains with Enhanced Protein Production by Use of Microengraving
Authors: Panagiotou Vasiliki , Love Kerry Routenberg , Jiang Bo , Nett Juergen , Stadheim Terrance , Love J. Christopher
Published: March 2011

The selection of highly productive cell lines remains a key step for manufacturing therapeutic proteins. Microengraving was used to screen chemically mutagenized populations ofPichia pastorisfor increased production of an Fc fragment. Clones retrieved following three rounds of mutagenesis yielded titers 2.65-fold greater than those of the parental strain.
Specific Electromagnetic Effects of Microwave Radiation on Escherichia coli
Authors: Shamis Yury , Taube Alex , Mitik-Dineva Natasa , Croft Rodney , Crawford Russell J. , Ivanova Elena P.
Published: March 2011

The present study investigated the effects of microwave (MW) radiation applied under a sublethal temperature on
Escherichia coli
. The experiments were conducted at a frequency of 18 GHz and at a temperature below 40°C to avoid the thermal degradation of bacterial cells during exposure. The absorbed power was calculated to be 1,500 kW/m
3
, and the electric field was determined to be 300 V/m. Both values were theoretically confirmed using CST Microwave Studio 3D Electromagnetic Simulation Software. As a negative control,
E. coli
cells were also thermally heated to temperatures up to 40°C using Peltier plate heating. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis performed immediately after MW exposure revealed that the
E. coli
cells exhibited a cell morphology significantly different from that of the negative controls. This MW effect, however, appeared to be temporary, as following a further 10-min elapsed period, the cell morphology appeared to revert to a state that was identical to that of the untreated controls. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) revealed that fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-conjugated dextran (150 kDa) was taken up by the MW-treated cells, suggesting that pores had formed within the cell membrane. Cell viability experiments revealed that the MW treatment was not bactericidal, since 88% of the cells were recovered after radiation. It is proposed that one of the effects of exposing
E. coli
cells to MW radiation under sublethal temperature conditions is that the cell surface undergoes a modification that is electrokinetic in nature, resulting in a reversible MW-induced poration of the cell membrane.
Adherence and Cytokine Induction in Caco-2 Cells by Bacterial Populations from a Three-Stage Continuous-Culture Model of the Large Intestine
Authors: Bahrami Bahram , Child Matthew W. , Macfarlane Sandra , Macfarlane George T.
Published: March 2011

Adherence of bacteria to epithelial cells is an important step in colonization and immune modulation in the large bowel. The aims of this study were to use a three-stage continuous-culture system (CCS) to investigate how environmental factors affect bacterial attachment to Caco-2 cells and modulation of cytokine expression by gut microorganisms, including a probioticBifidobacterium longumstrain, DD2004. The CCS simulated environmental conditions in the proximal large intestine (vessel 1 [V1]) and distal colon (V2 and V3) at two different system retention times (R) within the range of normal colonic transits (20 and 60 h). The model was inoculated with human fecal material, and fluorescencein situhybridization (FISH) was used to characterize microbial populations and to assess bacterial attachment to Caco-2 cells. Real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) was employed to measure cytokine gene expression following challenge with bacteria from different components of the CCS in the presence and absence ofB. longum. At anRof 60 h, bacterial adherence increased from V1 to V3, but this trend was reversed at anRof 20 h. Atopobia were the predominant adherent organisms detected at both system retention times in each culture vessel. Modulation of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and IL-18 gene expression by CCS bacteria was marked at anRof 60 h, while at anRof 20 h, IL-4, IL-10, TGF-β2, IL-1α, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) were significantly affected. The addition ofB. longumaffected cytokine expression significantly at both retention times. This study demonstrates that environmental determinants regulate the adherence properties of intestinal bacteria and their abilities to regulate cytokine synthesis.
Coupling of Dimethylsulfide Oxidation to Biomass Production by a Marine Flavobacterium
Authors: Green David H. , Shenoy Damodar M. , Hart Mark C. , Hatton Angela D.
Published: March 2011

Dimethylsulfide (DMS) is an important climatically active gas. In the sea, DMS is produced primarily by microbial metabolism of the compatible solute dimethylsulfoniopropionate. Laboratory growth of
Bacteroidetes
with DMS resulted in its oxidation to dimethyl sulfoxide but only in the presence of glucose. We hypothesized that electrons liberated from sulfur oxidation were used to augment biomass production.
Fungal Gene Expression on Demand: an Inducible, Tunable, and Metabolism-Independent Expression System for Aspergillus niger
Authors: Meyer Vera , Wanka Franziska , van Gent Janneke , Arentshorst Mark , van den Hondel Cees A. M. J. J. , Ram Arthur F. J.
Published: March 2011

Filamentous fungi are the cause of serious human and plant diseases but are also exploited in biotechnology as production platforms. Comparative genomics has documented their genetic diversity, and functional genomics and systems biology approaches are under way to understand the functions and interaction of fungal genes and proteins. In these approaches, gene functions are usually inferred from deletion or overexpression mutants. However, studies at these extreme points give only limited information. Moreover, many overexpression studies use metabolism-dependent promoters, often causing pleiotropic effects and thus limitations in their significance. We therefore established and systematically evaluated a tunable expression system for
Aspergillus niger
that is independent of carbon and nitrogen metabolism and silent under noninduced conditions. The system consists of two expression modules jointly targeted to a defined genomic locus. One module ensures constitutive expression of the tetracycline-dependent transactivator rtTA2
S
-M2, and one module harbors the rtTA2
S
-M2-dependent promoter that controls expression of the gene of interest (the Tet-on system). We show here that the system is tight, responds within minutes after inducer addition, and allows fine-tuning based on the inducer concentration or gene copy number up to expression levels higher than the expression levels of the
gpdA
promoter. We also validate the Tet-on system for the generation of conditional overexpression mutants and demonstrate its power when combined with a gene deletion approach. Finally, we show that the system is especially suitable when the functions of essential genes must be examined.
The Issue of Secretion in Heterologous Expression of Clostridium cellulolyticum Cellulase-Encoding Genes in Clostridium acetobutylicum ATCC 824
Authors: Mingardon Florence , Chanal Angélique , Tardif Chantal , Fierobe Henri-Pierre
Published: March 2011

The genes encoding the cellulases Cel5A, Cel8C, Cel9E, Cel48F, Cel9G, and Cel9M from
Clostridium cellulolyticum
were cloned in the
C. acetobutylicum
expression vector pSOS952 under the control of a Gram-positive constitutive promoter. The DNA encoding the native leader peptide of the heterologous cellulases was maintained. The transformation of the solventogenic bacterium with the corresponding vectors generated clones in the cases of Cel5A, Cel8C, and Cel9M. Analyses of the recombinant strains indicated that the three cellulases are secreted in an active form to the medium. A large fraction of the secreted cellulases, however, lost the C-terminal dockerin module. In contrast, with the plasmids pSOS952-cel9E, pSOS952-cel48F, and pSOS952-cel9G no colonies were obtained, suggesting that the expression of these genes has an inhibitory effect on growth. The deletion of the DNA encoding the leader peptide of Cel48F in pSOS952-cel48F, however, generated strains of
C. acetobutylicum
in which mature Cel48F accumulates in the cytoplasm. Thus, the growth inhibition observed when the wild-type
cel48F
gene is expressed seems related to the secretion of the cellulase. The weakening of the promoter, the coexpression of miniscaffoldin-encoding genes, or the replacement of the native signal sequence of Cel48F by that of secreted heterologous or endogenous proteins failed to generate strains secreting Cel48F. Taken together, our data suggest that a specific chaperone(s) involved in the secretion of the key family 48 cellulase, and probably Cel9G and Cel9E, is missing or insufficiently synthesized in
C. acetobutylicum
.
Regulation of Type VI Secretion Gene Clusters by σ
54
and Cognate Enhancer Binding Proteins
Authors: Bernard Christophe S. , Brunet Yannick R. , Gavioli Marthe , Lloubès Roland , Cascales Eric
Published: March 2011

Type VI secretion systems (T6SS) are bacteriophage-derived macromolecular machines responsible for the release of at least two proteins in the milieu, which are thought to form an extracellular appendage. Although several T6SS have been shown to be involved in the virulence of animal and plant pathogens, clusters encoding these machines are found in the genomes of most species of Gram-negative bacteria, including soil, marine, and environmental isolates. T6SS have been associated with several phenotypes, ranging from virulence to biofilm formation or stress sensing. Their various environmental niches and large diversity of functions are correlated with their broad variety of regulatory mechanisms. Using a bioinformatic approach, we identified several clusters, including those of
Vibrio cholerae
,
Aeromonas hydrophila
,
Pectobacterium atrosepticum
,
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
,
Pseudomonas syringae
pv. tomato, and a
Marinomonas
sp., which possess typical −24/−12 sequences, recognized by the alternate sigma factor sigma 54 (σ
54
or σ
N
). σ
54
, which directs the RNA polymerase to these promoters, requires the action of a bacterial enhancer binding protein (bEBP), which binds to
cis
-acting upstream activating sequences. Putative bEBPs are encoded within the T6SS gene clusters possessing σ
54
boxes. Using
in vitro
binding experiments and
in vivo
reporter fusion assays, we showed that the expression of these clusters is dependent on both σ
54
and bEBPs.
Complete Genome Sequence of the Proteolytic Clostridium botulinum Type A5 (B3′) Strain H04402 065
Authors: Carter Andrew T. , Pearson Bruce M. , Crossman Lisa C. , Drou Nizar , Heavens Darren , Baker David , Febrer Melanie , Caccamo Mario , Grant Kathie A. , Peck Michael W.
Published: March 2011

H04402 065 is one of a very small group of strains of proteolytic
Clostridium botulinum
that form type A5 neurotoxin. Here, we report the complete 3.9-Mb genome sequence and annotation of strain H04402 065, which was isolated from a botulism patient in the United Kingdom in 2004.