bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
5′ flanking region of var genes nucleate histone modification patterns linked to phenotypic inheritance of virulence traits in malaria parasites
Authors: Lopez‐Rubio Jose Juan , Gontijo Alisson M. , Nunes Marta C. , Issar Neha , Hernandez Rivas Rosaura , Scherf Artur
Published: November 2007

In the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum antigenic variation facilitates long‐term chronic infection of the host. This is achieved by sequential expression of a single member of the 60‐member var family. Here we show that the 5′ flanking region nucleates epigenetic events strongly linked to the maintenance of mono‐allelic var gene expression pattern during parasite proliferation. Tri‐ and dimethylation of histone H3 lysine 4 peak in the 5′ upstream region of transcribed var and during the poised state (non‐transcribed phase of var genes during the 48 h asexual life cycle), ‘bookmarking’ this member for re‐activation at the onset of the next cycle. Histone H3 lysine 9 trimethylation acts as an antagonist to lysine 4 methylation to establish stably silent var gene states along the 5′ flanking and coding region. Furthermore, we show that competition exists between H3K9 methylation and H3K9 acetylation in the 5′ flanking region and that these marks contribute epigenetically to repressing or activating var gene expression. Our work points to a pivotal role of the histone methyl mark writing and reading machinery in the phenotypic inheritance of virulence traits in the malaria parasite.
Use of the air pouch model to investigate immune responses to a hookworm vaccine containing the Na‐ASP‐2 protein in rats
Authors: MENDEZ S. , D’ SAMUEL A. , ANTOINE A. D. , AHN S. , HOTEZ P.
Published: November 2007

Hookworms are gastrointestinal nematodes that affect approximately 600 million people in developing countries. Using the air pouch model, we have examined the effects of vaccination with the recombinant hookworm larval antigen Na‐ASP‐2 and the adjuvant Alhydrogel® on the skin immune response to hookworms in Sprague Dawley rats. Following vaccination, rats were inoculated 100 Necator americanus L3 into the air pouch, and the exudates and cell infiltrates were collected from the pouch 24 h later. Larval inoculation induced leucocyte recruitment into the pouch. Exudates of rats vaccinated with Na‐ASP‐2 showed an increase of cytokines such as IL‐4, IL‐10, IFN‐γ and especially, IL‐5, as well as IgG1 and IgG2 antibodies. The increased amount of antigen‐presenting cells and cytokines in the pouch of vaccinated animals suggests that vaccination could potentially restrain this parasite to the inoculation site, avoiding its migration and establishment in the host. Moreover, the air pouch model could constitute an alternative to screen immune responses to L3 antigens.
Sedimentary facies of a glacially influenced continental succession in the Pennsylvanian Jericho Formation, Galilee Basin, Australia
Authors: JONES ANDREW T. , FIELDING CHRISTOPHER R.
Published: November 2007

Recent work on the Late Palaeozoic Ice Age in eastern Australia has shown the Joe Joe Group in the eastern Galilee Basin, Queensland, to be of critical importance as it is one of few records of Pennsylvanian glacial activity outside South America. This paper presents detailed sedimentological data, from which the Late Palaeozoic environment of the region is reconstructed and which, consequently, allows for robust comment on the broader Gondwanan glaciation. The Jericho Formation, in the lower Joe Joe Group, was deposited in an active extensional basin in lacustrine to fluvial environments, during the mid‐Namurian to early Stephanian. The region experienced a cool climate during this time, and polythermal mountain or valley‐type glaciers periodically advanced into the area from highlands to the north‐east. The Jericho Formation preserves a suite of proglacial to terminal glacial facies that is characterized by massive and stratified diamictites deposited from debris flows, massive and horizontally laminated conglomerates and sandstones deposited from hyperconcentrated density flows, laminated siltstones with outsized clasts and interlaminated siltstone/conglomerate deposited through ice‐rafting into lakes, and sedimentary dykes and breccias deposited through overpressurization of groundwater beneath permafrost. Non‐glacial facies are dominated by fluvial sandstones and lacustrine/overbank siltstones. The glacigenic rocks of the Jericho Formation are confined to discrete packages, recording three separate glacial advances during the latest Namurian to late Westphalian. This arrangement is consistent with the temporal distribution of glacigenic rocks from around the remainder of Australia and Gondwana, which supports the theory that glacial deposits occurred in discrete intervals. The Joe Joe Group is a key succession in the world in this context as, at this time, eastern Australia provides the only unequivocal evidence of a Namurian/Westphalian glaciation outside South America. The continuous record of sedimentation through the Pennsylvanian and Early Permian is indicative of significant warming between glacial intervals, which is difficult to reconcile with the development of long‐lived, cold‐based ice sheets across the supercontinent.
Sediment trend models fail to reproduce small‐scale sediment transport patterns on an intertidal beach
Authors: MASSELINK GERHARD , BUSCOMBE DANIEL , AUSTIN MARTIN , O'HARE TIM , RUSSELL PAUL
Published: November 2007

A rigorous test is presented of the application of sediment trend models to an intertidal beach environment characterized by bar morphology. Sediment samples were collected during low tide from a regular grid and their sediment fall velocity distributions, obtained using a settling tube, were analysed using moment analysis. The net sediment transport direction determined from beach surveys, hydrodynamic measurements, wave ripple observations and sediment transport modelling was compared with predictions by sediment trend models based on the spatial distribution of sediment parameters. It was found that the sediment transport pathways and patterns of sedimentation predicted using sediment trend models were at odds with field observations, and varied significantly depending on whether surface or sub‐surface sediment samples were used. The sediment trend models are thought to fail because, in energetic and morphologically variable beach environments, spatial patterns in sediment characteristics are mainly attributed to the presence of different hydrodynamic regions and associated morphology, rather than sediment pathways. The use of sediment trend models cannot replace the collection of morphological, hydrodynamic and sediment transport data in the field to define relationships between flows, forms and sedimentation patterns on a dynamic intertidal beach.
Comparative studies of quantitative trait and neutral marker divergence: a meta‐analysis
Authors: LEINONEN T. , O’HARA R. B. , CANO J. M. , MERILÄ J.
Published: November 2007

Comparative studies of quantitative genetic and neutral marker differentiation have provided means for assessing the relative roles of natural selection and random genetic drift in explaining among‐population divergence. This information can be useful for our fundamental understanding of population differentiation, as well as for identifying management units in conservation biology. Here, we provide comprehensive review and meta‐analysis of the empirical studies that have compared quantitative genetic (QST) and neutral marker (FST) differentiation among natural populations. Our analyses confirm the conclusion from previous reviews – based on ca. 100% more data – that the QST values are on average higher than FST values [mean difference 0.12 (SD 0.27)] suggesting a predominant role for natural selection as a cause of differentiation in quantitative traits. However, although the influence of trait (life history, morphological and behavioural) and marker type (e.g. microsatellites and allozymes) on the variance of the difference between QST and FST is small, there is much heterogeneity in the data attributable to variation between specific studies and traits. The latter is understandable as there is no reason to expect that natural selection would be acting in similar fashion on all populations and traits (except for fitness itself). We also found evidence to suggest that QST and FST values across studies are positively correlated, but the significance of this finding remains unclear. We discuss these results in the context of utility of the QST–FST comparisons as a tool for inferring natural selection, as well as associated methodological and interpretational problems involved with individual and meta‐analytic studies.
Feather mites and birds: an interaction mediated by uropygial gland size?
Authors: GALVÁN I. , BARBA E. , PICULO R. , CANTÓ J. L. , CORTÉS V. , MONRÓS J. S. , ATIÉNZAR F. , PROCTOR H.
Published: November 2007

Feather mites (Arachnida: Acari: Astigmata) feed mainly on secretions of the uropygial gland of birds. Here, we use analyses corrected for phylogeny and body size to show that there is a positive correlation between the size of this gland and mite abundance in passerine birds at an interspecific level during the breeding season, suggesting that the gland mediates interactions between mites and birds. As predicted on the basis of hypothesized waterproofing and antibiotic functions of uropygial gland secretions, riparian/marsh bird species had larger glands and higher mite loads than birds living in less mesic terrestrial environments. An unexpected pattern was a steeper relationship between mite load and gland size in migratory birds than in residents. If moderate mite loads are beneficial to a host but high loads detrimental, this could create complex selection regimes in which gland size influences mite load and vice versa. Mites may exert selective pressures on gland size of their hosts that has resulted in smaller glands among migratory bird species, suggesting that smaller glands may have evolved in these birds to attenuate a possible detrimental effect of feather mites when present in large numbers.
Size‐Related Advantages for Reproduction in a Slightly Dimorphic Raptor: Opposite Trends between the Sexes
Authors: Sergio Fabrizio , Blas Julio , Forero Manuela G. , Donázar José Antonio , Hiraldo Fernando
Published: November 2007

Despite many comparative analyses and more than 20 proposed hypotheses, there is still little consensus over the factors promoting the evolution of reversed sexual dimorphism (RSD) in raptorial species. Furthermore, intrapopulation studies, which may elucidate how RSD is maintained once evolved, have been surprisingly scarce and only focused on a handful of species with medium to high dimorphism. We examined the reproductive advantages associated with body size and condition, measured in the pre‐laying period, in a diurnal raptor with low sexual dimorphism, the black kite (Milvus migrans). The study population was essentially monomorphic in size. For females, there was an evidence of reproductive benefits associated with larger size and/or with better body condition. Larger females had also access to higher quality partners and territories, consistent with the ‘intrasexual selection’ hypothesis, by which members of the larger sex enjoy size‐related advantages in intrasexual competition over a scarce resource, the smaller sex. Opposite trends emerged for males: smaller, leaner males had higher breeding output, consistent with the ‘small efficient male’ hypothesis. Overall, the fact that we observed in an essentially monomorphic population the same selection pressures previously found in species with marked dimorphism suggests that such reproductive advantages may be counterbalanced in our study model by opposite selection pressures during other stages of the life cycle. This casts some doubts on the evolutionary significance of studies focusing exclusively on reproduction and calls for the need of more comprehensive analyses incorporating trait‐mediated differentials in survival and recruitment.
Do Naïve Primates Recognize the Vocalizations of Felid Predators?
Authors: Yorzinski Jessica L. , Ziegler Thomas
Published: November 2007

Traits that were adaptive under previous conditions may no longer have fitness benefits. However, some species still retain appropriate antipredator behaviors even though they do not coexist with the predators that their ancestors once faced. Studies have examined the responses of a variety of naïve species to these predators, but none have specifically investigated whether naïve primates retain antipredator behaviors against felid predators. We studied the pig‐tailed langur (Simias concolor) to determine whether it still recognizes felids as predators even though dangerous felids do not exist on the islands on which it inhabits. The responses of the langurs to the playbacks of the vocalizations of felids (an ancestral predator), elephants (an unknown animal but not a predator), humans (a known predator) and, pigs and birds (known animals but not predators) were compared. Langurs fled more slowly and looked at the speaker less in response to the felid and elephant calls than they did in response to the human voices. Similar numbers of langurs fled in response to all playback treatments except the pig and bird. The results suggest that langurs are afraid of novel vocalizations but have not retained specific acoustic knowledge of felid predator vocalizations. For long‐lived species that have extended periods of learning, being able to modify general behavioral responses, such as antipredator behaviors, based on individual experiences may be more adaptive than having fixed behavioral strategies.
Anatomical and histochemical defence responses induced in juvenile leaves of Eucalyptus globulus and Eucalyptus nitens by Mycosphaerella infection
Authors: Smith A. H. , Gill W. M. , Pinkard E. A. , Mohammed C. L.
Published: November 2007

The responses of juvenile leaves of two Eucalyptus species, with contrasting susceptibility to infection by Mycosphaerella leaf disease, were compared. The anatomical changes, accumulation of phenolics, suberin, lignin and anthocyanin and the retention of chlorophyll were studied in leaf lesions of varying developmental stages caused by species of Mycosphaerella. Enhanced resistance of Eucalyptus nitens in southern Australia was attributed to the formation of an effective lignified and suberized necrophylactic periderm, to restrict pathogen spread. Leaves of E. nitens contained isobilateral palisade which resulted in both abaxial and adaxial cell division and the initiation of a strong reinforced cellular zone from an early lesion stage. Eucalyptus globulus formed a slower, distorted necrophylactic periderm through hypertrophic changes to existing mesophyll and limited cell divisions of the single adaxial palisade layer. Deposits of lignin and suberin did not occur until later in lesion development, which were not effective in preventing further disease development. From this study it is hypothesized that tolerance of eucalypts to Mycosphaerella pathogens may be associated with constitutive mesophyll density.
Cryphonectria parasitica in Portugal: diversity of vegetative compatibility types, mating types, and occurrence of hypovirulence
Authors: Bragança H. , Simões S. , Onofre N. , Tenreiro R. , Rigling D.
Published: November 2007

Cryphonectria parasitica, the causal agent of chestnut blight, has been responsible for the decline in chestnut in Portugal for the last two decades. In order to improve understanding of C. parasitica diversity, a total of 617 isolates from all affected chestnut‐growing areas in continental Portugal, Madeira and the Azores archipelagos were studied. Nine vegetative compatibility (vc) types were identified among the isolates. EU‐11 was the most widespread vc type comprising 80.2% of the isolates, followed by EU‐12 (7.1%) and EU‐66 (6.6%). Two of the Portuguese vc types could not be assigned to a known European vc type. The diversity of vc types was low in the Portuguese populations of C. parasitica, but comparable with other areas where C. parasitica was introduced recently. The frequent occurrence of perithecia and both mating types of C. parasitica indicates that sexual reproduction of the chestnut blight fungus is common in Portugal. One C. parasitica isolate from Trás‐os‐Montes showed a white culture morphology and contained dsRNA, indicating the presence of hypovirulence in this area.
Specific hybridization real‐time PCR probes for Phytophthora ramorum detection and diagnosis
Authors: Belbahri L. , Calmin G. , Wagner S. , Moralejo E. , Woodward S. , Lefort F.
Published: November 2007

Sudden Oak Death, caused by Phytophthora ramorum, poses a serious threat to native American oaks, and is also present in Europe where it has been isolated from numerous European ornamental plant nurseries. Its proven aggressiveness against plants in the Fagaceae and Ericaceae and the damage it has caused in North America have lead to it being assigned quarantine status. The timely and accurate detection of P. ramorum is a critical aid in the study of the epidemiology and biology of this pathogen. As a regulated organism, the availability of a sensitive and reliable assay is essential when attempting to achieve early detection of the pathogen. In this work, new specific hybridization probes for a real‐time PCR amplification method were found to be rapid, robust and labour‐saving, and proved suitable for routine use in a molecular diagnostic laboratory.
Prevalence patterns of gastric cancers in Turkey: Model of a developing country with high occurrence of Helicobacter pylori
Authors: Bor Serhat , Vardar Rukiye , Ormeci Necati , Memik Faruk , Suleymanlar Inci , Oguz Dilek , Colakoglu Salih , Yucesoy Mehmet , Turkdogan Kursat , Gurel Selim , Dogan Ibrahim , Yıldırım Bulent , Goral Vedat , Dokmeci Gulbin , Okcu Nihat , Duman Deniz , Simsek Ilkay , Demır Ali
Published: November 2007

Aim:  In developed countries, there has been a recent increase in the prevalence of adenocarcinoma of the esophagus and cardia, along with a decrease in distal gastric cancers. Little is known regarding the prevalence of these diseases in developing countries. The aim of the present study was to evaluate changes in the prevalence of gastric adenocarcinomas in Turkey as a function of anatomic location.

Methods:  Data were retrospectively collected from 16 centers from January 1990 to December 2000. Owing to the exclusion criteria, a total of 4065 cases of tumors of the stomach and distal esophagus were included. Tumors localized to the body, the antrum and pyloric channel were considered distal cancers. Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) was also detected.

Results:  Patients' mean age was 60.7 ± 9 years, with a male : female ratio of 68:32. The ratio of distal/proximal adenocarcinoma was 2:1 for the western part of Turkey and 3:8 for the eastern part of the country (P < 0.0001), and this did not change during the 11 years. H. pylori was detected significantly less in the west compared to the east for distal tumors (65.7 vs 38.7%, respectively, P = 0.02).

Conclusion:  In Turkey, a developing country with a high H. pylori prevalence, contrary to the state of developed countries, the ratio of distal versus proximal gastric adenocarcinomas has not changed. Geographical distribution should be taken into the account in projecting the changing patterns of gastric cancers.
Informed consent in direct access colonoscopy
Authors: Segarajasingam Dev S , Pawlik Janina , Forbes Geoffrey M
Published: November 2007

Background and Aim:  Although direct access colonoscopy is a common practice, some consider the level of informed consent as inadequate, and therefore a medico‐legal concern. The aim of this study was to assess the adequacy of informed consent from a patient perspective in a direct access colonoscopy service.

Methods:  All patients having outpatient colonoscopy from May 2003 to February 2004 at a direct access colonoscopy service were considered for inclusion into the study. Information was obtained from patients by structured questionnaire administered either at the time of discharge from the day ward or mailed to their homes.

Results:  Information was obtained from 346 direct access colonoscopy patients (172 male, 159 female; 226 ≥ 50 years, 103 < 50 years), 80% of whom were referred by their family doctor. Colonoscopy was done for investigation of symptoms in 220 patients, and for screening and surveillance in 115 patients, with an indication not specified in 11 patients. The majority of patients were either very satisfied (70.5%) or satisfied (25.1%) with the consent process, with no demographic characteristics found to predict dissatisfaction. Thirty‐seven patients expressed a preference to have seen a gastroenterologist prior to colonoscopy, and four of these patients reported the consent process to be unsatisfactory. Seventy (20.2%) patients reported that the most useful information about colonoscopy was received after they had completed bowel preparation.

Conclusion:  No demographic characteristics were found to predict the small fraction of patients dissatisfied with the informed consent process. Further medico‐legal risk reduction may be facilitated by enhancing the provision of information prior to bowel preparation.
The association between the genetic polymorphism of HLA‐DQA1, DQB1, and DRB1 and serum alanine aminotransferase levels in chronic hepatitis C in the Chinese population
Authors: Yu Rong‐Bin , Hong Xin , Ding Wei‐Liang , Tan Yong‐Fei , Zhang Yong‐Xiang , Sun Nan‐Xiong , Wu Guan‐Ling , Zhan Sheng‐Wei , Ge Da‐Fang
Published: November 2007

Background and Aim:  To investigate a possible association between HLA genes with serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels and evaluate whether the HLA‐DQA1, DQB1, and DRB1 genes could influence the development of liver damage in chronic hepatitis C.

Methods:  A total of 145 patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection (36 patients with persistently normal ALT values; 109 patients with elevated ALT levels) and 160 uninfected healthy controls were examined for HLA‐DQA1, DQB1, and DRB1 molecules by using polymerase chain reaction–sequencing based typing (PCR‐SBT).

Results:  Among the patients chronically infected with HCV, the frequencies of DQA1*0501, DQB1*0301, and DRB1*0401 alleles were significantly increased in the normal ALT group compared with those with abnormal ALT levels, whereas that of DQB1*0201 was significantly lower. As compared to uninfected healthy controls, DQA1*0501, DQB1*0301, and DRB1*0401 allele frequencies were also statistically higher in the normal ALT group, whereas that of DQB1*0201 was the inverse. The haplotype frequencies of DQA1*0301‐DQB1*0301, DQA1*0501‐DQB1*0301, and DRB1*1101‐DQB1*0301 were found to be significantly higher in the normal ALT group. Multivariate logistic regression indicated that female sex, and the DQB1*0301 allele and DRB1*0401 allele were independently associated with normal ALT values, whereas DQB1*0201 allele was the inverse.

Conclusions:  These results suggest that particular HLA alleles may have an influence on the serum ALT level of chronic HCV infection as a host genetic factor in the Chinese population. The DQA1*0501, DQB1*0301, and DRB1*0401 alleles, and the DQA1*0301‐DQB1*0301, DQA1*0501‐DQB1*0301, and DRB1*1101‐DQB1*0301 haplotypes seem to be associated with low hepatitis activity; whereas DQB1*0201 allele is closely correlated with the progression of liver injury in chronic HCV infection.
Differential expression of androgen and estrogen receptor of appendix testis in patients with descended and undescended testes
Authors: Józsa Tamás , Dienes Beatrix , Telek Andrea , Hargitai Zoltán , Pór Ágnes , Kiss Csongor
Published: November 2007

Objectives:  The incidence of appendix testis has been shown to be 76% in descended and 24% in undescended testis in our previous intraoperative survey. To determine the possible role of the appendix testis in the process of testicular migration, we compared the androgen and estrogen receptor status of appendix testis in descended and undescended testes.

Methods:  Thirty‐seven appendix testes were collected intraoperatively and the expression of androgen and estrogen receptors were examined with immunostaining and immunofluorescence labeling. Based on the diagnosis, the specimens were divided into three groups. Group H (groin hernia, n = 11, as a group of descended testis), Group AU (acquired undescended testis, n = 14), and Group CU (congenital undescended testis, n = 12).

Results:  The testicular appendages were found to express both androgen and estrogen receptors in Group H and Group AU, but specimens in Group CU were only estrogen receptor positive, whereas androgen receptors were not present.

Conclusion:  The presence of the androgen receptor in the appendix testis of the descended testes and acquired undescended testes and its absence in patients with congenital undescended testis suggests that the appendix testis might play a role in the process of testicular descent.
Role of the metalloprotease Vvp and the virulence plasmid pR99 of Vibrio vulnificus serovar E in surface colonization and fish virulence
Authors: Valiente Esmeralda , Lee Chung‐Te , Hor Lien‐I. , Fouz Belén , Amaro Carmen
Published: November 2007

The virulence for eels of Vibrio vulnificus biotype 2 serovar E (VSE) is conferred by a plasmid that codifies ability to survive in eel serum and cause septicaemia. To find out whether the plasmid and the selected chromosomal gene vvp plays a role in the initial steps of infection, the VSE strain CECT4999, the cured strain CT218 and the Vvp‐deficient mutant CT201 (obtained in this work by allelic exchange) were used in colonization and virulence experiments. The eel avirulent biotype 1 (BT1) strain YJ016, whose genome has been sequenced, was used for comparative purposes. The global results demonstrate that the plasmid does not play a significant role in surface colonization because (i) CECT4999 and CT218 were equally chemoattracted towards and adherent to eel mucus and gills, and (ii) CT218 persisted in gills from bath‐infected eels 2 weeks post infection. In contrast, mutation in vvp gene reduced significantly chemoattraction and attachment to eel mucus and gills, as well as virulence degree by immersion challenge. Co‐infection experiments by bath with CECT4999 and CT201 confirmed that Vvp was involved in eel colonization and persistence in gills, because CECT4999 was recovered at higher numbers compared with CT201 from both internal organs of moribund fish (ratio 4:1) and gills from survivors (ratio 50:1). Interestingly, YJ016 also showed chemoattraction and attachment to mucus, and complementation of CT201 with BT1‐vvp gene restored both activities together with virulence degree by immersion challenge. Additional experiments with algae mucus and purified mucin gave similar results. In conclusion, the protease Vvp of V. vulnificus seems to play an essential role in colonization of mucosal surfaces present in aquatic environments. Among the V. vulnificus strains colonizing fish mucus, only those harbouring the plasmid could survive in blood and cause septicaemia.
Preoperative irradiation and surgery for local recurrence of rectal and rectosigmoid cancer. Prognostic factors with regard to survival and further local recurrence
Authors: Wiig J. N. , Larsen S.G. , Dueland S. , Giercksky K.‐E.
Published: November 2007

Objective  Local recurrence after rectal cancer surgery is an important clinical problem.

Method  150 patients with local recurrence after rectal/rectosigmoid cancer, stage M0, underwent surgery after preoperative irradiation (46–50 Gy).

Results  The overall 5‐year survival was 27% (44% R0, 38% R1 and 17% R2‐stage). Corresponding survival/local recurrence rates were 52%/27% for R0‐ and 14%/63% for R1‐stage. No R2‐resected survived 4 years. A normal pretreatment CEA level was significantly associated with increased survival but normalization following preoperative therapy was not associated with an improvement in prognosis. Survival and local recurrence were also significantly influenced by the type of primary operation. Several factors were significant for the prediction of an R0‐resection in univariate analysis, but only CEA and symptoms at the time of recurrence predicted an R0‐resection in multivariate analysis. A long latency time to recurrence did not significantly influence prognosis.

Conclusion  Preoperative irradiation and surgery can result in an R0‐resection and a long survival in patients with recurrence after initial treatment for rectal or rectosigmoid cancer. Also patients with an R1‐resection can benefit from surgery since a substantial number will die without further local recurrence. An R0‐resection is the main prognostic factor followed by CEA level, sex and type of primary operation. Normalization of CEA after preoperative treatment is not of prognostic significance. The value of the Norwegian follow‐up regimen is questioned.
Radiofrequency ablation for recurrent pelvic cancer
Authors: Lefevre J. H. , Parc Y. , Lewin M. , Bennis M. , Tiret E. , Parc R.
Published: November 2007

Objective  Local recurrence of pelvic cancer is a therapeutic challenge. The purpose of the study was to evaluate radiofrequency ablation (RFA, intra‐operative or CT‐guided) for the treatment of pelvic recurrence in patients not eligible for curative surgical resection.

Method  Charts of all patients treated for pelvic recurrence by RFA between March 2004 and March 2005 were reviewed.

Results  Eight patients (two females) had RFA for inoperable local recurrence [rectal adenocarcinoma (six) and sarcoma (two)]. Surgical resection of the primary tumour had been performed at a median age of 50.2 (36.7–61.6) years. Recurrence occurred after a median of 49.5 (11.7–63.5) months. The mean size of the recurrence was 33.4 (20–45) mm. RFA was given on a median number of two occasions (1–3). Complications occurred in six patients including minor pain [pelvic (six); sciatic nerve irritation (four)]; ureteric obstruction requiring stenting (two) and colo‐vesical fistula (one), requiring ileal urinary diversion. After a median follow‐up of 18.2 months (11–32), six patients were still alive. Patients, who had experienced pain prior to RFA were pain‐free. Five patients showed evidence of further tumour growth but were asymptomatic.

Conclusion  Radiofrequency ablation is a feasible therapeutic option for recurrent pelvic cancer. It allows good symptom control in patients with pain but morbidity is high.
Visceral adipose tissue as a predictor for metabolic risk factors in the Korean population
Authors: Han J. H. , Park H. S. , Kim S. M. , Lee S. Y. , Kim D. J. , Choi W. H.
Published: November 2007

Aims  Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) accumulation is closely associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. We have investigated the appropriate VAT cut‐off values for predicting metabolic risk factors in the Korean population.

Methods  We assessed 276 men and 540 women aged 17–69 years who were undergoing regular health examinations. Anthropometry, metabolic risk factors and VAT area determined by computed tomography were measured. Receiver‐operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to define VAT cut‐off points for metabolic risk factors.

Results  Based on the first quintile of VAT, the odds ratios for having metabolic risk factors increased significantly with each VAT quintile in both men and women. Using ROC analysis, the appropriate VAT cut‐offs for metabolic risk factors were 100 cm2 in men and 70 cm2 in women. Regression lines indicated that, in men, a VAT of 100 cm2 corresponded to a waist circumference of 88.1 cm and a body mass index (BMI) of 24.9 kg/m2; in women, a VAT of 70 cm2 corresponded to a waist circumference of 84.0 cm and a BMI of 25.1 kg/m2.

Conclusion  VAT cut‐offs of 100 cm2 in men and 70 cm2 in women are useful for defining visceral obesity in Korean subjects. These VAT cut‐offs were validated by the ethnic‐specific cut‐offs for waist circumference and BMI for Korean individuals.
Prevalence and independent predictors of insulin resistance in children from Crete, Greece: The Children Study
Authors: Manios Y. , Moschonis G. , Kourlaba G. , Bouloubasi Z. , Grammatikaki E. , Spyridaki A. , Hatzis C. , Kafatos A. , Fragiadakis G. A.
Published: November 2007

Background  It has been proposed that insulin resistance (IR) is associated with the development of Type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of IR in Greek schoolchildren and to investigate factors associated with IR.

Methods  Between October 2005 and March 2006, 522 children were recruited from Crete. Physical activity and dietary habits, anthropometric and biochemical characteristics, as well as medical history of pupils’ parents were recorded. IR was estimated using the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA‐IR), fasting glucose‐to‐insulin ratio (FGIR) and quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI). Multiple linear regression was used to determine independent predictors for IR.

Results  Fasting insulin levels and HOMA‐IR scores were higher in obese children and girls compared with their normal‐weight peers (P < 0.001). Moreover, the former had lower values in FGIR and QUICKI indices compared with the latter, indicating that obese children and girls are more insulin resistant compared with their counterparts (P < 0.001). The prevalence of IR was 9.2% (2.9% in normal‐weight, 10.5% in overweight and 31.0% in obese children), using as a threshold HOMA‐IR > 2.10 97.5th percentile of normal‐weight participants). Multiple linear regression revealed that central adiposity, female gender and intake of simple carbohydrates is associated positively with HOMA‐IR values, even after controlling for many other factors.

Conclusion  These findings demonstrate that girls and obese children, particularly those with central adiposity, are at high risk of developing IR. Therefore, these groups should be targets of Type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease preventive interventions.
An increase in HbA1c after percutaneous coronary intervention raises the risk for restenosis in patients without Type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Diedrichs H. , Pfister R. , Hagemeister J. , Müller‐Ehmsen J. , Frank K. F. , Höpp H.‐W. , Erdmann E. , Schneider C. A.
Published: November 2007

Aims  The influence of dynamic changes in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) on restenosis after elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients without diabetes has not been analysed. Therefore, the rate of restenosis was investigated after elective PCI in 101 consecutive patients without diabetes mellitus in relation to dynamic changes of HbA1c levels.

Methods  Follow‐up angiography was performed in all patients 4–6 months after intervention.

Results  Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the change in HbA1c between first and second coronary angiography was the most powerful metabolic parameter for prediction of restenosis. The odds ratio for restenosis was 3.0 (95% CI 1.0–9.0) for any increase in HbA1c and 1.9 (95% CI 1.1–3.5) for an HbA1c increase of 0.2%.

Conclusions  Hence, chronic changes in the glucometabolic environment influence the incidence of restenosis after PCI in patients without diabetes.
Accounting Valuation Models: A Short Primer
Authors: BRIEF RICHARD P.
Published: November 2007

This note discusses basic issues related to residual income valuation (RIV) and abnormal earnings growth (AEG) models but has only scratched the surface of a complex subject. What clearly emerges from this ‘primer’ is the conclusion that AEG is a more complex valuation model than RIV. This complexity concerns both the mechanics and interpretation of AEG compared to RIV. Furthermore, a study by Penman (2005) raises a question about the usefulness of AEG compared to RIV. His comparisons between RIV and AEG are rather remarkable and suggest that RIV gives estimates of value which are more accurate and less variable than estimates based on AEG. Clearly, these results need further study.
Politics of Financial Reporting and the Consequences for the Public Sector
Authors: RYAN CHRISTINE , GUTHRIE JAMES , DAY RON
Published: November 2007

This article examines the political processes surrounding public sector accounting standard setting, in particular, the Australian decision to adopt sector‐neutral International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). It contends that the history of private and public sector involvement in the accounting standard setting process to date, and recourse to regulatory theory, assist in understanding these contemporary developments. The article reveals that private sector interests have dominated accounting standard setters at all important stages of standard setting in Australia. It concludes by arguing that, given this continued neglect by standard setters, if public sector financial reporting standards are to remain relevant to the public sector, then it may be necessary for public sector regulators to set their own standards.
In the Interests of Clients or Commerce? Legal Aid, Supply, Demand, and ‘Ethical Indeterminacy’ in Criminal Defence Work
Authors: Tata Cyrus
Published: November 2007

As a professional, a lawyer's first duty is to serve the client's best interests, before simple monetary gain. In criminal defence work, this duty has been questioned in the debate about the causes of growth in legal aid spending: is it driven by lawyers (suppliers) inducing unnecessary demand for their services or are they merely responding to increased demand? Research reported here found clear evidence of a change in the handling of cases in response to new payment structures, though in ways unexpected by the policy's proponents. The paper develops the concept of ‘ethical indeterminacy’ as a way of understanding how defence lawyers seek to reconcile the interests of commerce and clients. Ethical indeterminacy suggests that where different courses of action could each be said to benefit the client, the lawyer will tend to advise the client to decide in the lawyer's own interests. Ethical indeterminacy is mediated by a range of competing conceptions of ‘quality’ and ‘need’. The paper goes on to question the very distinction between ‘supply’ and ‘demand’ in the provision of legal services.
REGIONAL ECONOMIC INTEGRATION AND ITS IMPACTS ON GROWTH, POVERTY, AND INCOME DISTRIBUTION: THE CASE OF INDONESIA
Authors: Hartono Djoni , Priyarsono Dominicus Savio , Nguyen Tien Dung , Ezaki Mitsuo
Published: November 2007

Indonesia continually tries to open its economy through free trade areas (FTAs) on bilateral, regional, and multilateral bases. This paper discusses the impacts of FTAs on the Indonesian economy, particularly for economic growth, poverty, and income distribution. By using a Global Computable General Equilibrium (GCGE) model, we conducted the simulation analysis by setting eighteen scenarios for the ongoing and potential FTAs of different frameworks. Indonesia is found to benefit from joining in FTAs, except for the FTA with India. It is also implied that FTAs increase rural household income at higher rates than they increase urban household income. Moreover, FTAs' impacts are more favorable for unskilled workers than for skilled ones, and also for relatively poor households more than for rich households, both in urban and rural areas. In brief, FTAs provide Indonesia with income redistribution effects.
UNEMPLOYMENT, TRANS‐BOUNDARY POLLUTION, AND ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY IN A DUALISTIC ECONOMY
Authors: Fukuyama Hirofumi , Naito Tohru
Published: November 2007

This study is intended to examine the effects of environmental policies on employment, the use of polluting goods, and the unemployment rate under a model introducing trans‐boundary pollution affecting the productivity of the other productive sectors. That model was designed by Copeland and Taylor (1999), and transformed into a dualistic economy model constructed by Harris and Todaro (1970). Results of our analyses show that enforcement of environmental policy through control of emissions taxes does not necessarily worsen urban unemployment. Therefore, we show that it is not usually proper to maintain that some environmental pollution cannot be avoided to establish economic development. Moreover, we analyze the effect of some environmental policies on social welfare and discuss the effectiveness of those policies.
The association between ill‐health and abuse: A cross‐sectional population based study
Authors: WIJMA K. , SAMELIUS L. , WINGREN G. , WIJMA B.
Published: November 2007

The lifetime prevalence of physical, sexual and psychological abuse was studied cross‐sectionally in a representative sample of Swedish women. The association between the three kinds of abuse and ill‐health, and the relation between magnitude of abuse and various health problems were also investigated. The Abuse Screening Inventory (ASI), measuring experiences of physical, sexual and psychological abuse and including questions on health and social situation, was sent by mail to 6,000 women, randomly selected from the population register. The questionnaire was completed and returned by 4,150 (70%) of 5,896 eligible women. Various kinds of abuse were reported by 1,142 women (27.5%). The prevalence rates were 19.4% for physical abuse, 9.2% for sexual abuse and 18.2% for psychological abuse. Abused women reported more ill‐health and a less advantageous social situation than non‐abused women. There was an association between magnitude of abuse and health problems. Also a low magnitude of abuse was substantially associated with ill‐health.
Conservative Ideas and Social Policy in the United States
Authors: Béland Daniel , Waddan Alex
Published: November 2007

This article explores social policy development in the United States since the beginning of the George W. Bush presidency. Starting from an analysis of the discourse about compassionate conservatism at the centre of the 2000 presidential campaign and proceeding to a discussion of the meaning of the more recent ownership society blueprint, it underlines the fragmented nature of the conservative policy agenda in the United States. Yet, the article suggests that, despite this fragmentation, the ideological dominance of the right and the related absence of needed reform in key policy areas are of great significance for the future of federal social policy. Overall, the article shows how paying close attention to the nature of conservative ideas improves our understanding of social policy development in the United States. As argued, the old liberal and the traditionalist sides of American conservatism have inspired distinct yet related blueprints and reform proposals that both promote a scaling‐down of existing federal social programmes and a return to traditional forms of economic security (i.e. charity and personal savings). The article underlines the relationship between these blueprints and policy drift.
Is The Cerebral Cortex Hyperexcitable or Hyperresponsive in Migraine?
Authors: Coppola G , Pierelli F , Schoenen J
Published: November 2007

Although migraineurs appear in general to be hypersensitive to external stimuli, they maybe also have increased daytime sleepiness and complain of fatigue. Neurophisiological studies between attacks have shown that for a number of different sensory modalities the migrainous brain is characterised by a lack of habituation of evoked responses. Whether this is due to increased cortical hyperexcitability, possibly due to decreased inhibition, or to an abnormal responsivity of the cortex due a decreased preactivation level remains disputed. Studies using transcranial magnetic stimulation in particular have yielded contradictory results. We will review here the available data on cortical excitability obtained with different methodological approaches in patients over the migraine cycle. We will show that these data congruently indicate that the sensory cortices of migraineurs react excessively to repetitive, but not to single, stimuli and that the controversy above hyper- versus hypo-excitability is merely a semantic misunderstanding. Describing the migrainous brain as ‘hyperresponsive’ would fit most of the available data. Deciphering the precise cellular and molecular underpinnings of this hyperresponsivity remains a challenge for future research. We propose, as a working hypothesis, that a thalamo-cortical dysrhythmia might be the culprit.
Selenium hyperaccumulation reduces plant arthropod loads in the field
Authors: Galeas Miriam L. , Klamper Erin M. , Bennett Lindsay E. , Freeman John L. , Kondratieff Boris C. , Quinn Colin F. , Pilon‐Smits Elizabeth A. H.
Published: November 2007

Commentary p 569
5‐Lipoxygenase and anandamide hydrolase (FAAH) mediate the antitumor activity of cannabidiol, a non‐psychoactive cannabinoid
Authors: Massi P. , Valenti M. , Vaccani A. , Gasperi V. , Perletti G. , Marras E. , Fezza F. , Maccarrone M. , Parolaro D.
Published: November 2007

It has been recently reported that cannabidiol (CBD), a non‐psychoactive cannabinoid, is able to kill glioma cells, bothin vivoandin vitro, independently of cannabinoid receptor stimulation. However, the underlying biochemical mechanisms were not clarified. In the present study, we performed biochemical analysis of the effect of CBD bothin vivo, by using glioma tumor tissues excised from nude mice, andin vitro, by using U87 glioma cells.In vivoexposure of tumor tissues to CBD significantly decreased the activity and content of 5‐lipoxygenase (LOX, by ∼ 40%), and of its end product leukotriene B4(∼ 25%). In contrast cyclooxygenase (COX)‐2 activity and content, and the amount of its end product prostaglandin E2, were not affected by CBD. In addition,in vivotreatment with CBD markedly stimulated (∼ 175%) the activity of fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), the main anandamide‐degrading enzyme, while decreasing anandamide content (∼ 30%) and binding to CB1cannabinoid receptors (∼ 25%).In vitropre‐treatment of U87 glioma cells with MK‐886, a specific 5‐LOX inhibitor, significantly enhanced the antimitotic effect of CBD, whereas the pre‐treatment with indomethacin (pan‐COX inhibitor) or celecoxib (COX‐2 inhibitor), did not alter CBD effect. The study of the endocannabinoid system revealed that CBD was able to induce a concentration‐dependent increase of FAAH activity in U87 cells. Moreover, a significantly reduced growth rate was observed in FAAH‐over‐expressing U87 cells, compared to wild‐type controls. In conclusion, the present investigation indicates that CBD exerts its antitumoral effects through modulation of the LOX pathway and of the endocannabinoid system, suggesting a possible interaction of these routes in the control of tumor growth.
Mitochondrially encoded cysteine predicts animal lifespan
Authors: Moosmann Bernd , Behl Christian
Published: November 2007

The role of genetic factors in the determination of lifespan is undisputed. However, numerous successful efforts to identify individual genetic modulators of longevity have not yielded yet a quantitative measure to estimate the lifespan of a species from scratch, merely based on its genomic constitution. Here, we report on a meta‐examination of genome sequences from 248 animal species with known maximum lifespan, including mammals, birds, fish, insects, and helminths. Our analysis reveals that the frequency with which cysteine is encoded by mitochondrial DNA is a specific and phylogenetically ubiquitous molecular indicator of aerobic longevity: long‐lived species synthesize respiratory chain complexes which are depleted of cysteine. Cysteine depletion was also found on a proteome‐wide scale in aerobic versus anaerobic bacteria, archaea, and unicellular eukaryotes; in mitochondrial versus hydrogenosomal sequences; and in the mitochondria of free‐living, aerobic versus anaerobic–parasitic worms. The association of longevity with mitochondrial cysteine depletion persisted after correction for body mass and phylogenetic interdependence, but it was uncoupled in helminthic species with predominantly anaerobic lifestyle. We conclude that protein‐coding genes on mitochondrial DNA constitute a quantitative trait locus for aerobic longevity, wherein the oxidation of mitochondrially translated cysteine mediates the coupling of trait and locus. These results provide distinct support for the free radical theory of aging.