bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Observational methods used in marine spatial monitoring of fishes and associated habitats: a review
Authors: Murphy Hannah M. , Jenkins Gregory P.
Published: February 2010

Management areas are used in marine spatial planning to conserve biodiversity of marine ecosystems and to protect fish from fishing pressure. To evaluate the effectiveness of these protected areas, observational techniques are used to determine densities, sizes, biomass, habitat types and distribution of fish species in and around management areas. Two types of observational techniques are used in spatial monitoring: (1) fishery-independent techniques, which include underwater visual census (UVC), underwater video, remote sensing, acoustics, and experimental catch and effort data; and (2) fishery-dependent techniques, which include catch, effort and catch per unit effort data from commercial and recreational fisheries. This review summarises the applications, advantages, disadvantages and biases of each of these observational categories and highlights emerging technologies. The main finding from this review was that a combination of observational techniques, rather than a single method, was the most effective approach to marine spatial monitoring. For example, a combination of hydroacoustics for habitat mapping and UVC or video for fish surveys was one of the most cost-effective and efficient means of obtaining fish-habitat linkages and fish assemblage data. There are also emerging technologies that could increase the precision and efficiency of monitoring surveys. There is a need for continued development of non-intrusive technology for marine monitoring studies.
Compensatory growth in tadpoles after transient salinity stress
Authors: Squires Zoe E. , Bailey Paul C. E. , Reina Richard D. , Wong Bob B. B. M.
Published: February 2010

Many freshwater habitats worldwide are being degraded by an anthropogenic increase in salinity. Although salt concentrations are known to fluctuate with variable freshwater inflows, we know little about what effects this may have on freshwater organisms. Using a species of frog, Litoria ewingii, we measured tadpole growth both during and after salt stress to determine their capacity to compensate or recover from this stress. During exposure to ecologically relevant concentrations of salt (5%, 10% and 15% seawater), tadpoles grew slower and were significantly smaller than those in our freshwater control (0.4% seawater). Upon return to fresh water, previously salt-exposed tadpoles grew faster than those in the control group, and by the eighth day of the ‘recovery’ period, no longer differed significantly in size. The results of our study demonstrate a capacity for tadpoles to compensate for a period of environmental stress by temporarily increasing growth rate when the stress abates.
Uncertainty assessment of soil organic carbon content spatial distribution using geostatistical stochastic simulation
Authors: Delbari Masoomeh , Loiskandl Willibald , Afrasiab Peyman
Published: February 2010

Soil organic carbon (SOC) affects many processes in soil. The main objective of this study was the prediction and uncertainty assessment of the spatial patterns of SOC through stochastic simulation using 2 simulation algorithms, sequential Gaussian simulation (sGs) and sequential indicator simulation (sis). The dataset consisted of 158 point measurements of surface SOC taken from an 18-ha field in Lower Austria. Conditional stochastic simulation algorithms were used to generate 100 maps of equiprobable spatial distribution for SOC.
In general the simulated maps represented spatial distribution of SOC more realistically than the kriged map, i.e. overcoming the smoothing effect of kriging. Unlike sGs, sis was able to preserve the connectivity of extreme values in generated maps. The SOC simulated maps generated through sGs reproduced the sample statistics well. The reproduction of class-specific patterns of spatial continuity of SOC for the simulated model produced through sis was also reasonably good. The results highlight that when the class-specific patterns of spatial continuity of the attribute must be preserved, sis is preferred to sGs. For local uncertainty, standard deviations obtained using kriging varied much less across the study area than those obtained using simulations. This shows that the conditional standard deviations achieved through simulations depend on data values in addition to data configuration for greater reliability in reporting the estimation precision. Further, according to accuracy plots and goodness statistic, G, sis performs the modelling uncertainty better than sGs. The simulated models can provide useful information in risk assessment of SOC management in Lower Austria.
Soil carbon stocks under different pastures and pasture management in the higher rainfall areas of south-eastern Australia
Authors: Chan K. Y. , Oates A. , Li G. D. , Conyers M. K. , Prangnell R. J. , Poile G. , Liu D. L. , Barchia I. M.
Published: February 2010

In Australia, pastures form the basis of the extensive livestock industries and are important components of crop rotation systems. Despite recent interest in the soil carbon sequestration value of pastures in the mitigation of climate change, little information is available on the soil carbon sequestration potential of pastures in New South Wales farming systems. To quantify the soil carbon stocks under different pastures and a range of pasture management practices, a field survey of soil carbon stocks was undertaken in 2007 in central and southern NSW as well as north-eastern Victoria, using a paired-site approach. Five comparisons were included: native v. introduced perennial, perennial v. annual, continuous v. rotational grazing, pasture cropping v. control, and improved v. unimproved pastures.
Results indicated a wide range of soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks over 0–0.30 m (22.4–66.3 t C/ha), with little difference when calculated based on either constant soil depth or constant soil mass. Significantly higher SOC stocks were found only as a result of pasture improvement using P application compared with unimproved pastures. In this case, rates of sequestration were estimated to range between 0.26 and 0.72 t C/ha.year, with a mean rate of 0.41 t C/ha.year. Lack of significant differences in SOC stocks for the other pastures and pasture management practice comparisons could be due to inherent problems associated with the paired-site survey approach, i.e. large variability, difficulties in obtaining accurate site history, and the occasional absence of a valid control as well as the likely lower rates of SOC sequestration for these other comparisons. There is a need for scientific long-term trials to quantify the SOC sequestration potential of these other pastures and pasture management practices.
The socially skilled teacher and the development of tacit knowledge
Authors: Elliott Julian G. , Stemler Steven E. , Sternberg Robert J. , Grigorenko Elena L. , Hoffman Newman
Published: February 2010

Skilled interpersonal relations are crucial for effective teaching and learning but much professional knowledge here is tacit and thus not easily communicated. This article presents the results of a study that examined the tacit knowledge of trainee and experienced teachers in relation to various problematic interpersonal aspects of school life. Trainee (n = 501) and experienced (n = 163) teachers in secondary schools were presented with a series of hypothetical vignettes and asked to rate each of 128 potential response options. Trainees completed the survey at the beginning and end of their professional training year. It was found that experience appeared to be related to the capacity to identify ‘bad’ responses, but there was little difference in relation to the identification of ‘good’ responses. Further differences between novice and experienced teachers in relation to preferred strategies are reported. Implications for teacher education and for future research are identified and discussed.
Grammatical gender processing in Italian and Spanish bilinguals
Authors: Paolieri Daniela , Cubelli Roberto , Macizo Pedro , Bajo Teresa , Lotto Lorella , Job Remo
Published: February 2010

We explored whether the grammatical gender of the native language (L1) affects the production of words in a second language (L2). Evidence from previous studies is contrasting. In the present investigation, Italian–Spanish bilinguals were instructed to name pictures in L2 (Experiments 1 and 2) or to translate words from L1 to L2 (Experiment 3), producing either the bare noun or the noun phrase (article + noun). Half of the nouns had the same gender in the two languages, while the other half had a different gender. In all experiments, responses were faster in the gender-congruent than in the gender-incongruent condition, irrespective of task (L2 picture naming or forward word translation) and syntactic type (bare noun and noun phrase). We propose that in the bilingual system, parallel to the semantic route, a direct lexical, nonsemantic route connects the languages and that the native language interacts at the level of grammatical gender with the lexical representations of the response language.
The Effect of Rapid Screening for Methicillin-ResistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA) on the Identification and Earlier Isolation of MRSA-Positive Patients
Authors: Creamer Eilish , Dolan Anthony , Sherlock Orla , Thomas Toney , Walsh John , Moore Joan , Smyth Edmond , O'Neill Eoghan , Shore Anna , Sullivan Derek , Rossney Angela S. , Cunney Robert , Coleman David , Humphreys Hilary
Published: February 2010

Objectives.

(1) To determine whether rapid screening with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays leads to the earlier isolation of patients at risk for methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA) colonization, (2) to assess compliance with routine MRSA screening protocols, (3) to confirm the diagnostic accuracy of the Xpert MRSA real-time PCR assay (Cepheid) by comparison with culture, and (4) to compare turnaround times for PCR assay results with those for culture results.

Design.

Before-and-after study conducted in a 700-bed acute tertiary care referral hospital. Study periods were (1) a 5-week period before PCR testing began, (2) a 10-week period when the PCR assay was used, and (3) a 5-week period after PCR testing was discontinued.

Results.

Among 489 at-risk patients, MRSA was isolated from 20 (33%) of 60 patients during period 1, 77 (22%) of 349 patients during period 2, and 18 (23%) of 80 patients during period 3. Twenty-two (27%) of 82 at-risk patients were not screened during period 1, compared with 40 (10%) of 389 at-risk patients not screened during period 2 (P< .001). More MRSA-positive patients were preemptively isolated during periods 1 and 3 compared with period 2 (34 [24%] of 140 vs 28 [8%] of 389;P< .001); however, more MRSA-positive patients were isolated after notification of MRSA-positive results during period 2 (47 [13%] of 349) compared with periods 1 and 3 (2 [1%] of 140;P< .001). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of the PCR assay were 95%, 97%, 82%, and 99%, respectively. The mean turnaround time from receipt of specimens in the laboratory to PCR assay result was 2.6 hours.

Conclusions.

Rapid screening with the Xpert MRSA PCR assay facilitated compliance with screening policies and the earlier isolation of MRSA-positive Patients. Discrepant results confirm that PCR testing should be used as a screening tool rather than as a diagnostic tool.
Optical simulation of monolithic scintillator detectors using GATE/GEANT4
Authors: van der Laan D J (Jan) , Schaart Dennis R , Maas Marnix C , Beekman Freek J , Bruyndonckx Peter , van Eijk Carel W E
Published: February 2010

Much research is being conducted on position-sensitive scintillation detectors for medical imaging, particularly for emission tomography. Monte Carlo simulations play an essential role in many of these research activities. As the scintillation process, the transport of scintillation photons through the crystal(s), and the conversion of these photons into electronic signals each have a major influence on the detector performance; all of these processes may need to be incorporated in the model to obtain accurate results. In this work the optical and scintillation models of the GEANT4 simulation toolkit are validated by comparing simulations and measurements on monolithic scintillator detectors for high-resolution positron emission tomography (PET). We have furthermore made the GEANT4 optical models available within the user-friendly GATE simulation platform (as of version 3.0). It is shown how the necessary optical input parameters can be determined with sufficient accuracy. The results show that the optical physics models of GATE/GEANT4 enable accurate prediction of the spatial and energy resolution of monolithic scintillator PET detectors.
Binding to the Extracellular Matrix and Proteolytic Processing: Two Key Mechanisms Regulating Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Action
Authors: Ferrara Napoleone
Published: February 2010

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF, VEGF-A) is a major regulator of physiological and pathological angiogenesis. One feature of VEGF is the existence of multiple isoforms arising from alternative exon splicing. Our initial biochemical and biological studies indicated that such isoforms are uniquely suited to generate angiogenic gradients by virtue of their differential ability to interact with the extracellular matrix (ECM). Although ECM-bound VEGF was bioactive, processing by physiologically relevant proteases such as plasmin was identified as a key mechanism to convert ECM-bound VEGF into freely diffusible forms. This retrospective article examines the early studies and also emphasizes the subsequent progress in our understanding of these processes in health and disease.
Deficiency of the Transcriptional Regulator p8 Results in Increased Autophagy and Apoptosis, and Causes Impaired Heart Function
Authors: Kong Derek K. , Georgescu Serban P. , Cano Carla , Aronovitz Mark J. , Iovanna Juan Lucio , Patten Richard D. , Kyriakis John M. , Goruppi Sandro
Published: February 2010

Autophagy is a cytoprotective pathway used to degrade and recycle cytoplasmic content. Dysfunctional autophagy has been linked to both cancer and cardiomyopathies. Here, we show a role for the transcriptional regulator p8 in autophagy. p8 RNA interference (RNAi) increases basal autophagy markers in primary cardiomyocytes, in H9C2 and U2OS cells, and decreases cellular viability after autophagy induction. This autophagy is associated with caspase activation and is blocked by atg5 silencing and by pharmacological inhibitors. FoxO3 transcription factor was reported to activate autophagy by enhancing the expression of autophagy-related genes. P8 expression represses FoxO3 transcriptional activity, and p8 knockdown affects FoxO3 nuclear localization. Thus, p8 RNAi increases FoxO3 association with bnip3 promoter, a known proautophagic FoxO3 target, resulting in higher bnip3 RNA and protein levels. Accordingly, bnip3 knockdown restores cell viability and blocks apoptosis of p8-deficient cells. In vivo, p8 −/− mice have higher autophagy and express higher cardiac bnip3 levels. These mice develop left ventricular wall thinning and chamber dilation, with consequent impaired cardiac function. Our studies provide evidence of a p8-dependent mechanism regulating autophagy by acting as FoxO3 corepressor, which may be relevant for diseases associated with dysregulated autophagy, as cardiovascular pathologies and cancer.
Neoconstructivism
Authors: Johnson Scott
Published: February 2010

Arguments over the developmental origins of human knowledge are ancient, founded in the writings of Plato, Aristotle, Descartes, Hume, and Kant. They have also persisted long enough to become a core area of inquiry in cognitive and developmental science. Empirical contributions to these debates, however, appeared only in the last century, when Jean Piaget offered the first viable theory of knowledge acquisition that centered on the great themes discussed by Kant: object, space, time, and causality. The essence of Piaget's theory is constructivism: the building of concepts from simpler perceptual and cognitive precursors. In particular, from experience gained through manual behaviors and observation. The constructivist view was disputed by a generation of researchers dedicated to the idea of the “competent infant,” endowed with knowledge (say, of permanent objects) that emerged prior to facile manual behaviors. Taking this possibility further, it has been proposed that many fundamental cognitive mechanisms—reasoning, event prediction, decision-making, hypothesis testing, and deduction—operate independently of all experience and are, in this sense, innate. The competent-infant view has an intuitive appeal, attested to by its widespread popularity, and it enjoys a kind of parsimony: it avoids the supposed philosophical pitfall posed by having to account for novel forms of knowledge in inductive learners. But this view leaves unaddressed a vital challenge: to understand the mechanisms by which new knowledge arises. This challenge has now been met. The neoconstructivist approach is rooted in Piaget's constructivist emphasis on developmental mechanisms.
Mixing the Old with the New and the New with the Old: Combining Prior and Current Knowledge in Conceptual Change
Authors: Mareschal Denis , Westermann Gert
Published: February 2010

This chapter examines two approaches to resolving the question of how prior knowledge and current knowledge interact in category learning. The first relies on mathematical models of statistical inference. The second is an implemented connectionist computational model. To illustrate the usefulness of these latter models, the chapter develops a possible connectionist model of how prior knowledge and on-line learning integrate during early concept learning.
A Bottom-up Approach to Infant Perception and Cognition: A Summary of Evidence and Discussion of Issues
Authors: Cohen Leslie B.
Published: February 2010

This chapter presents a bottom-up approach to infant perception and cognition. It provides evidence from topics ranging from infant angle perception to infant categorization and early word learning that a constructivist, building block type of system seems to capture much of the acquisition process. The system, which is domain-general and occurs at many different ages, uses correlational, conditional, and perhaps other types of relations to construct higher-order units from combinations of lower-order units. Even though this system describes how changes may occur in many aspects of infant perception and cognition, it still is only a description of behavior and behavioral change. A more complete explanation requires models that are explicit about the mechanisms underlying that change. Connectionist models may be one vehicle for doing that, but most of the ones designed so far for infant perception and cognition are limited to a single area of application and do not deal adequately with underlying and repeated developmental changes. The models are a good first step, however, and they do highlight an interesting and important issue. Fundamentally, they are models of learning, some that do require feedback and others that just self-organize from the inputs they receive. But they do raise the issue of similarities and differences between mechanisms underlying learning and mechanisms underlying development.
Pancreaticobiliary Maljunction Without Bile Duct Dilatation in Children: Distinction From Choledochal Cyst
Authors: Ono Yasuyuki , Kaneko Kenitiro , Tainaka Takahisa , Sumida Wataru , Ando Hisami
Published: February 2010

Objectives:

Pancreaticobiliary maljunction without bile duct dilatation (nondilated type) is rare in children, and its definition remains unclear. There is controversy over treatment between pediatric and adult patients. We reevaluated our previous definition of the nondilated type in children (common bile duct diameter ≤6 mm on cholangiography).

Patients and Methods:

Of 150 children with pancreaticobiliary maljunction, 14 fulfilled the definition of the nondilated type. Clinical and cholangiographic findings were reviewed and compared with cholangiograms of 17 children without biliary diseases (controls). The age‐related normal range of the choledochal diameter was defined in combination with previous data.

Results:

All of the patients had symptoms and signs similar to those of choledochal cysts. Cholangiographic features of choledochal cysts were detected in all of the patients (dilated common channel, 8; distal bile duct stenosis, 5; dilated cystic duct, 4; filling defect in the common channel, 8). The choledochal diameter in control children increased with age. Only 4 patients (29%) had a choledochal caliber within the normal range.

Conclusions:

Most pediatric cases reported as the nondilated type are slightly dilated (forme fruste) choledochal cysts and differ from the nondilated type seen in adults. The nondilated type in children should be defined on the basis of the age‐related choledochal diameter.
Effects on Faecal Microbiota of Dietary and Acidic Oligosaccharides in Children During Partial Formula Feeding
Authors: Magne Fabien , Hachelaf Wahiba , Suau Antonia , Boudraa Ghazalia , Bouziane‐Nedjadi Karim , Rigottier‐Gois Lionel , Touhami Mahmoud , Desjeux Jehan‐François , Pochart Philippe
Published: February 2010

Objective:

To test the safety and effect on faecal microbiota of a formula with prebiotic oligosaccharides alone or in combination with acidic oligosaccharides in infants at the age of partial formula feeding.

Patients and Methods:

The study was a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, randomised intervention trial in which 82 healthy, full‐term, partially breast‐fed children, from 1 week to 3 months old, were given 1 of the following formulae: whey‐based formula (control group), whey‐based formula with galacto‐ and long‐chain fructo‐oligosaccharides (scGOS/lcFOS group), or whey‐based formula with galacto‐ and long‐chain fructo‐oligosaccharides added with pectin‐derived acidic oligosaccharides (scGOS/lcFOS/pAOS group). Children were studied for the duration of the partial formula feeding period and every 2 weeks for 2 months after breast‐feeding cessation. The total bacteria count and the proportion of 7 bacterial families were determined using in situ hybridisation coupled to flow cytometry.

Results:

The total bacterial count did not alter with time or type of feeding (9.9 ± 0.1 log10 cells per gram wet weight). Compared with the control group, there was an increase of the Bifidobacterium genus (P = 0.0001), and a decrease of proportions for the Bacteroides group (P = 0.02) and the Clostridium coccoides group (P = 0.01) in both oligosaccharide groups. The proportion of bifidobacteria was significantly higher in the scGOS/lcFOS/pAOS compared with the scGOS/lcFOS group (P < 0.01).

Conclusions:

Infant formulae appear to be clinically safe and effective on infant microbiota. They minimize the alteration of faecal microbiota after cessation of breast‐feeding and promote bifidobacteria proportions, with a stronger effect when acidic oligosaccharides are present.
Polymorphisms in the Tumor Necrosis Factor/Lipopolysaccharides Pathway in Crohn Disease in the Jewish Ashkenazi Population
Authors: Silbermintz Ari , Levine Jeremiah , Weinstein Toba , Silver Jack
Published: February 2010

Objective:

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α plays a role in the inflammatory process in Crohn disease, a disease with an apparent polygenic basis. We investigated whether polymorphisms in multiple genes involved in the lipopolysaccharide–TNF inflammatory pathway are independently associated with Crohn disease in the Jewish Ashkenazi population. Polymorphisms in CD14, Toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4), and TNF‐α were studied. In addition, we investigated polymorphisms in the TNF‐α converting enzyme (TACE) gene, which to date has not been studied for an association with Crohn disease.

Patients and Methods:

To examine whether TLR4 Asp299Gly, CD14‐260C/T, TNF‐1031T/C, TNF‐863C/A, TNF‐857C/T, TACE‐172C/T, and TACE‐154C/A polymorphisms are associated with Crohn disease in the Ashkenazi Jewish population, we analyzed families with at least 1 child with Crohn disease for association with these mutations using a family‐based association test (transmission disequilibrium test) for analysis.

Results:

The allelic frequency in the patient population of TLR4 G allele was 8.0%, CD14 T allele was 51.3%, TNF‐1031C was 18.8%, TNF‐863A was 14.2%, TNF‐857T was 25.2%, TACE172T was 20.7%, and TACE154A was 24.5%. The transmission disequilibrium test transmitted:untransmitted (T:U) result for TLR4G was T:U = 32:20, for CD14T was T:U = 103:88, for TNF‐1031C was T:U = 48:56, for TNF‐863A was T:U = 39:42, for TNF‐857T was T:U = 63:62, for TACE‐172C/T was T:U = 48:59, and for TACE‐154C/A was T:U = 52:55. No statistically significant associations were observed.

Conclusions:

The transmission disequilibrium test did not demonstrate preferential transmission of these variants in Jewish Ashkenazi patients with Crohn disease. These results suggest that these polymorphisms in the TNF/lipopolysaccharide pathway play little or no role in susceptibility to Crohn disease in the Jewish Ashkenazi population.
Safety and Tolerability of Esomeprazole in Children With Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
Authors: Gilger Mark A. , Tolia Vasundhara , Vandenplas Yvan , Youssef Nader N. , Traxler Barry , Illueca Marta
Published: February 2010

Objectives:

To evaluate safety, tolerability, and symptom improvement with once‐daily esomeprazole in children with endoscopically proven gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Patients and Methods:

In this 8‐week, multicenter, randomized, uncontrolled, double‐blind study, children ages 1 to 11 years were stratified by weight to receive esomeprazole 5 or 10 mg (children < 20 kg) or 10 or 20 mg (children ≥ 20 kg) once daily. Safety and tolerability was assessed by evaluating adverse events (AEs; both treatment‐ and non‐treatment‐related AEs) and changes from baseline in medical history, physical examinations, and clinical laboratory tests. Investigators scored symptom severity every 2 weeks using the Physician's Global Assessment (PGA). Patients' parents rated GERD symptoms of heartburn, acid regurgitation, and epigastric pain (none to severe, 0–3) at baseline (based on past 72 hours) and daily (from past 24 hours).

Results:

Of 109 patients randomized, 108 had safety data. AEs were experienced by 68.0% and 65.2% of children <20 kg receiving esomeprazole 5 and 10 mg, respectively, and 83.9% and 82.8% of children ≥20 kg receiving esomeprazole 10 and 20 mg, respectively, regardless of causality. Overall, only 9.3% of patients reported 13 treatment‐related AEs; the most common were diarrhea (2.8% [3/108]), headache (1.9% [2/108]), and somnolence (1.9% [2/108]). Vomiting, a serious AE in 2 patients, was not judged by the investigator to be related to treatment. At the final visit, PGA scores improved significantly from baseline (P < 0.001). Of 58 patients with moderate to severe baseline PGA symptom scores, 91.4% had lower scores by the final visit. GERD symptom scores were significantly improved from baseline to the final week of the study in all of the treatment groups (P < 0.01)

Conclusions:

In children ages 1 to 11 years with endoscopically proven GERD, esomeprazole (at daily doses of 5, 10, or 20 mg) was generally well tolerated. The frequency and severity of GERD‐related symptoms were significantly reduced during the active treatment period.
Familial Clustering of Habitual Constipation: A Prospective Study in Children From West Virginia
Authors: Ostwani Waseem , Dolan Jenna , Elitsur Yoram
Published: February 2010

Objective:

To investigate familial clustering of habitual constipation in pediatric patients who attended our medical facilities.

Patients and Methods:

Children with the diagnosis of functional, habitual constipation or patients without constipation and their respective family members were prospectively recruited to our study. Constipation was established in all participants using a standard questionnaire (Rome criteria).

Results:

A total of 112 children and their families participated in the study, of which 37 were probands families (test) and 75 children and their respective family members constituted the control group. A total of 310 family members completed the questionnaire. No significant differences were found between the study and the control groups in age, sex, or family size. Siblings or parents from the study group (probands) had significantly higher rates of constipation compared with the control group (30% vs 7% and 42% vs 9%, respectively; P = 0.001).

Conclusions:

Habitual constipation in children seemed to cluster in families. The pathophysiology behind this phenomenon is yet unknown.
Prolonged Enteral Feeding Is Often Required to Avoid Long‐term Nutritional and Metabolic Complications After Esophagogastric Dissociation
Authors: Madre Chrystèle , Serhal Lydia , Michaud Laurent , Bonnevalle Michel , de Lagausie Pascal , Gottrand Frédéric , Bonnard Arnaud , Hugot Jean‐Pierre
Published: February 2010

Background:

Total esophagogastric dissociation (TED) was first described in 1997 by Bianchi as a new surgical procedure to treat severe gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in children with neurological impairment. Recently, TED has been proposed in other conditions, such as esophageal atresia, esotracheal cleft, or caustic esophageal lesions. Although the long‐term results in terms of GERD control have been previously reported, those regarding the nutritional and metabolic status have never been documented.

Patients and Methods:

All patients without neurological impairment with TED between 1999 and 2004 at Robert Debre Hospital and Jeanne de Flandre Hospital, France, were prospectively investigated, paying particular attention to their metabolic and nutritional status (blood concentration of iron and vitamins A, D, E, and B12; lipid malabsorption; and hyperglycemia test) and growth.

Results:

Seventeen children underwent TED. Six received primary procedures, whereas 11 were operated on because of severe respiratory diseases or failure to thrive. The mean follow‐up was 6 years (range 3–8 years). Two children died (12%). Seven children were weaned from enteral nutrition support, but 5 of them had failure to thrive, steatorrhea, and/or malabsorption of vitamin B12 and/or fat‐soluble vitamins. Eight patients had dumping syndrome, which was symptomatic in 6 cases.

Conclusions:

TED is an effective procedure for treatment of GERD. However, nutritional and metabolic complications including dumping syndrome and chronic digestive malabsorption are frequent after TED, especially after enteral nutrition weaning. A long‐term follow‐up of these patients is thus necessary and prolonged enteral nutrition support is recommended.
Effects of Vitamin A Supplementation on Intestinal Barrier Function, Growth, Total Parasitic, and SpecificGiardiaspp Infections in Brazilian Children: A Prospective Randomized, Double‐blind, Placebo‐controlled Trial
Authors: Lima Aldo AM , Soares Alberto M , Lima Noélia L , Mota Rosa MS , Maciel Bruna LL , Kvalsund Michelle P , Barrett Leah J , Fitzgerald Relana P , Blaner William S , Guerrant Richard L
Published: February 2010

Background:

This study evaluates the effects of retinol on intestinal barrier function, growth, total parasites, andGiardiaspp infections in children in northeastern Brazil.

Subjects and Methods:

The study was a double‐blind, randomized placebo‐controlled trial (http://clinicaltrials.gov; register no. #NCT00133406) involving 79 children who received vitamin A 100,000–200,000 IU (n = 39) or placebo (n = 40) at enrollment, 4, and 8 months and were followed for 36 months. Intestinal barrier function was evaluated using the lactulose:mannitol ratio test. Stool lactoferrin was used as a marker for intestinal inflammation.

Results:

The groups were similar with regard to age, sex, nutritional parameters (zscores), serum retinol concentrations, proportion of lactoferrin‐positive stool samples, and intestinal barrier function. The lactulose:mannitol ratio did not change during the same time of follow‐up (P> 0.05). The proportion of lactoferrin‐positive samples evaluated at 1 month did not change between groups (P> 0.05). Total intestinal parasitic, specifically new, infections were significantly lower in the vitamin A treatment compared with control group; these were accounted for entirely by significantly fewer newGiardiainfections in the vitamin A treatment group. The cumulativezscores for weight‐for‐length or height, length or height‐for‐agezscores, and weight‐for‐age did not change significantly with vitamin A intervention for 36 months of follow‐up.

Conclusions:

These data showed that total parasitic infection andGiardiaspp infections were significantly lower in the vitamin A treatment group when compared with the placebo group, suggesting that vitamin A improves the host's defenses againstGiardiainfections.
Protection of Intestinal Occludin Tight Junction Protein by Dietary Gangliosides in Lipopolysaccharide‐induced Acute Inflammation
Authors: Park Eek J , Thomson Alan BR , Clandinin Michael T
Published: February 2010

Objectives:

Intestinal permeability and barrier function are regulated by expression of tight junction proteins. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), tumor necrosis factor‐α, and interleukin‐1β induce expression of nitric oxide (NO) and reduce the expression of gut tight junction proteins. The purpose of this study was to determine whether dietary gangliosides (GGs) increase the concentration of the anti‐inflammatory cytokine interleukin‐10 (IL‐10) in response to LPS, thereby inhibiting NO production and protecting gut occludin tight junction protein from degradation.

Materials and Methods:

Rats were fed semipurified diets with (n = 16) or without (n = 16) GGs (0.1% w/w of total lipid). After 2 weeks of feeding, animals were injected with saline (n = 8/diet group) or LPS (n = 8/diet group) (IP, 3 mg mL−1 kg−1). Intestinal tissue, mucosa, and blood sample were collected 6 hours post‐LPS exposure. The effect of dietary GGs on production/expression of IL‐10, NO, inducible NO synthase, and occludin protein was determined.

Results:

Dietary GGs increased IL‐10 content in intestinal mucosa significantly by 32‐fold (P < 0.0001) and in plasma by 2.4‐fold (P < 0.001). Feeding animals a ganglioside‐enriched diet decreased total NO content in intestinal mucosa and plasma by 44% and 30%, respectively, and inhibited inducible NO synthase expression following LPS exposure compared with control animals. Dietary GGs reduced the degradation of occludin tight junction protein in response to LPS.

Conclusions:

Dietary GGs inhibit degradation of gut occludin tight junction protein during LPS‐induced acute inflammation. Thus, dietary GGs have a role in protecting the integrity of the intestinal barrier during acute gut inflammation.
Performance of the AST‐to‐Platelet Ratio Index as a Noninvasive Marker of Fibrosis in Pediatric Patients With Chronic Viral Hepatitis
Authors: McGoogan Katherine E , Smith P Brian , Choi Steve S , Berman Wallace , Jhaveri Ravi
Published: February 2010

We investigated the performance of aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index (APRI) as a noninvasive marker of fibrosis and cirrhosis in children with chronic viral hepatitis. All of the patients 0 to 20 years old with chronic hepatitis B or C presenting at a tertiary medical center from 1992 to 2008 were identified. Thirty‐six patients were evaluated with 48 biopsy results. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve were 0.71 for fibrosis and 0.52 for cirrhosis. When examining subgroups, the APRI performed better in older patients and in those with vertically transmitted hepatitis C virus. Further research into APRI and the other noninvasive markers of fibrosis in children with chronic viral hepatitis is warranted.
Development of magnesium calcium phosphate biocement for bone regeneration
Authors: Jia Junfeng , Zhou Huanjun , Wei Jie , Jiang Xin , Hua Hong , Chen Fangping , Wei Shicheng , Shin Jung-Woog , Liu Changsheng
Published: February 2010

Magnesium calcium phosphate biocement (MCPB) with rapid-setting characteristics was fabricated by using the mixed powders of magnesium oxide (MgO) and calcium dihydrogen phosphate (Ca(H
2
PO
4
)
2
·H
2
O). The results revealed that the MCPB hardened after mixing the powders with water for about 7 min, and the compressive strength reached 43 MPa after setting for 1 h, indicating that the MCPB had a short setting time and high initial mechanical strength. After the acid–base reaction of MCPB containing MgO and Ca(H
2
PO
4
)
2
·H
2
O in a molar ratio of 2 : 1, the final hydrated products were Mg
3
(PO
4
)
2
and Ca
3
(PO
4
)
2
. The MCPB was degradable in Tris–HCl solution and the degradation ratio was obviously higher than calcium phosphate biocement (CPB) because of its fast dissolution. The attachment and proliferation of the MG
63
cells on the MCPB were significantly enhanced in comparison with CPB, and the alkaline phosphatase activity of MG
63
cells on the MCPB was significantly higher than on the CPB at 7 and 14 days. The MG
63
cells with normal phenotype spread well on the MCPB surfaces, and were attached in close proximity to the substrate, as seen by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results demonstrated that the MCPB had a good ability to support cell attachment, proliferation and differentiation, and exhibited good cytocompatibility.
Dynamic stability and basins of attraction in the Sir Philip Sidney game
Authors: Huttegger Simon M. , Zollman Kevin J. S.
Published: February 2010

We study the handicap principle in terms of the Sir Philip Sidney game. The handicap principle asserts that cost is required to allow for honest signalling in the face of conflicts of interest. We show that the significance of the handicap principle can be challenged from two new directions. Firstly, both the costly signalling equilibrium and certain states of no communication are stable under the replicator dynamics (i.e. standard evolutionary dynamics); however, the latter states are more likely in cases where honest signalling should apply. Secondly, we prove the existence and stability of polymorphisms where players mix between being honest and being deceptive and where signalling costs can be very low. Neither the polymorphisms nor the states of no communication are evolutionarily stable, but they turn out to be more important for standard evolutionary dynamics than the costly signalling equilibrium.
Soft-part anatomy of the Early Cambrian bivalved arthropodsKunyangellaandKunmingella: significance for the phylogenetic relationships of Bradoriida
Authors: Hou Xianguang , Williams Mark , Siveter David J. , Siveter Derek J. , Aldridge Richard J. , Sansom Robert S.
Published: February 2010

Bradoriids are small bivalved marine arthropods that are widespread in rocks of Cambrian to Early Ordovician age. They comprise seven families and about 70 genera based on shield (‘carapace’) morphology. New bradoriid specimens with preserved soft-part anatomy ofKunmingella douvillei(Kunmingellidae) are reported from the Early Cambrian Chengjiang Lagerstätte of China together with, for the first time to our knowledge, a second bradoriid species with preserved soft parts,Kunyangella cheni(Comptalutidae).Kunmingella douvilleihas a 10-segmented limb-bearing body with uniramous ninth and tenth appendages and a series of homogeneous, apparently (proximal parts not preserved) unspecialized post-antennal biramous limbs with setose leaf-shaped exopods. Each endopod consists of five podomeres. A presumed penultimate instar ofKy. chenipreserves remnants of three head and two trunk appendages, and the adult is reconstructed as having four head appendages. This material allows testing of the affinity of the Bradoriida.Kunmingellais identified as a stem crustacean in character-based analyses, through both morphological comparisons and cladistic reconstructions. Global parsimony analysis recovers a monophyletic Bradoriida as the sister group to crown crustaceans.
Selfish strategies and honest signalling: reproductive conflicts in ant queen associations
Authors: Holman Luke , Dreier Stephanie , d'Ettorre Patrizia
Published: February 2010

Social insects offer unique opportunities to test predictions regarding the evolution of cooperation, life histories and communication. Colony founding by groups of unrelated queens, some of which are later killed, may select for selfish reproductive strategies, honest signalling and punishment. Here, we use a brood transfer experiment to test whether cofounding queens of the ant
Lasius niger
‘selfishly’ adjust their productivity when sharing the nest with future competitors. We simultaneously analysed queen cuticular hydrocarbon (CHC) profiles to investigate whether queens honestly signal their reproductive output or produce dishonest, manipulative signals, providing a novel test of the evolutionary significance of queen pheromones. Queens produced fewer workers when their colony contained ample brood, but only in the presence of competitors, suggesting selfish conservation of resources. Several CHCs correlated with reproductive maturation, and to a lesser extent with productivity; the same hydrocarbons were more abundant on queens that were not killed, suggesting that workers select productive queens using these chemical cues. Our results highlight the role of honest signalling in the evolution of cooperation: whenever cheaters can be reliably identified, they may incur sanctions that reduce the incentive to be selfish.
Interdependence of Endomembrane Trafficking and Actin Dynamics during Polarized Growth of Arabidopsis Pollen Tubes
Authors: Zhang Yan , He Junmin , Lee David , McCormick Sheila
Published: February 2010

During polarized growth of pollen tubes, endomembrane trafficking and actin polymerization are two critical processes that establish membrane/wall homeostasis and maintain growth polarity. Fine-tuned interactions between these two processes are therefore necessary but poorly understood. To better understand such cross talk in the model plant Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), we first established optimized concentrations of drugs that interfere with either endomembrane trafficking or the actin cytoskeleton, then examined pollen tube growth using fluorescent protein markers that label transport vesicles, endosomes, or the actin cytoskeleton. Both brefeldin A (BFA) and wortmannin disturbed the motility and structural integrity of ARA7- but not ARA6-labeled endosomes, suggesting heterogeneity of the endosomal populations. Disrupting endomembrane trafficking by BFA or wortmannin perturbed actin polymerization at the apical region but not in the longitudinal actin cables in the shank. The interference of BFA/wortmannin with actin polymerization was progressive rather than rapid, suggesting an indirect effect, possibly due to perturbed endomembrane trafficking of certain membrane-localized signaling proteins. Both the actin depolymerization drug latrunculin B and the actin stabilization drug jasplakinolide rapidly disrupted transport of secretory vesicles, but each drug caused distinct responses on different endosomal populations labeled by ARA6 or ARA7, indicating that a dynamic actin cytoskeleton was critical for some steps in endomembrane trafficking. Our results provide evidence of cross talk between endomembrane trafficking and the actin cytoskeleton in pollen tubes.
Depression and treatment with antidepressants are associated with the development of gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease
Authors: MARTÍN‐MERINO E. , RUIGÓMEZ A. , GARCÍA RODRÍGUEZ L. A. , WALLANDER M.‐A. , JOHANSSON S.
Published: February 2010

Aliment Pharmacol Ther 31, 1132–1140

Background The roles of depression and antidepressants in triggering reflux symptoms remain unclear.

Aim To compare the incidence of gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in individuals with and without a depression diagnosis and to evaluate risk factors for a GERD diagnosis. The relationship between antidepressant treatment and GERD was also assessed.

Methods The Health Improvement Network UK primary care database was used to identify patients with incident depression and an age‐ and sex‐matched control cohort with no depression diagnosis. Incident GERD diagnoses were identified during a mean follow‐up of 3.3 years. Furthermore, we performed nested case‐control analyses where odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated by unconditional logistic regression in multivariable models.

Results The incidence of GERD was 14.2 per 1000 person‐years in the depression cohort and 8.3 per 1000 person‐years in the control cohort. The hazard ratio of GERD in patients with depression compared with controls was 1.72 (95% CI: 1.60–1.85). Among patients with depression, tricyclic antidepressant use was associated with an increased risk of GERD (OR: 1.71; 95% CI: 1.34–2.20), while selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors were not associated with GERD.

Conclusions A depression diagnosis is associated with an increased risk of a subsequent GERD diagnosis, particularly in individuals using tricyclic antidepressants.
Uncertainties in the 20th century carbon budget associated with land use change
Authors: ARORA V. K. , BOER G. J.
Published: February 2010

Uncertainties in the 20th century carbon budget associated with the treatment of land use change (LUC) are assessed using the Canadian Centre for Climate Modelling and Analysis (CCCma) first‐generation Earth System Model (CanESM1). Eight coupled climate carbon cycle simulations are performed using different reconstructions of 1850–2000 land cover derived from historical information on changes in cropland and pasture area. The simulations provide estimates of the emissions associated with LUC, the relative contribution of changes in cropland and pasture to LUC emissions and the uncertainty associated with differences among historical data sets of crop area as well as in the manner in which the historical land cover data are constructed. The resulting estimates of the amount of biomass deforested over the 1850–2000 period range from 63 to 145 Pg C with cumulative implied LUC emissions ranging from 40 to 77 Pg C. These values of LUC emissions are considerably lower than Houghton's estimate of 156 Pg C. The year 2000 atmospheric CO2 concentration ranges between 371.1 ± 3.7 ppm depending on the data set used and the manner in which historical land cover is constructed. This compares to the observed value of 369.6 ppm at Mauna Loa and is 17.3 ± 6.3 ppm larger than for simulations without LUC. Although increases in cropland result in the expected increase in LUC emissions, changes in pasture area decrease these emissions because of carbon sequestration in soils.