bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The galactophilic lectin, LecA, contributes to biofilm development in Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Diggle Stephen P. , Stacey Rachael E. , Dodd Christine , Cámara Miguel , Williams Paul , Winzer Klaus
Published: February 2006

LecA (PA‐IL) is a cytotoxic lectin and adhesin produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa which binds hydrophobic galactosides with high specificity and affinity. By using a lecA–egfp translation fusion and immunoblot analysis of the biofilm extracellular matrix, we show that lecA is expressed in biofilm‐grown cells. In static biofilm assays on both polystyrene and stainless steel, biofilm depth and surface coverage was reduced by mutation of lecA and enhanced in the LecA‐overproducing strain PAO‐P47. Biofilm surface coverage by the parent strain, PAO‐P47 but not the lecA mutant on steel coupons was also inhibited by growth in the presence of either isopropyl‐β‐D‐thiogalactoside (IPTG) or p‐nitrophenyl‐α‐D‐galactoside (NPG). Furthermore, mature wild‐type biofilms formed in the absence of these hydrophobic galactosides could be dispersed by the addition of IPTG. In contrast, addition of p‐nitrophenyl‐α‐L‐fucose (NPF) which has a high affinity for the P. aeruginosa LecB (PA‐IIL) lectin had no effect on biofilm formation or dispersal. Planktonic growth of P. aeruginosa PAO1 was unaffected by the presence of IPTG, NPG or NPF, nor was the strain able to utilize these sugars as carbon sources, suggesting that the observed effects on biofilm formation were due to the competitive inhibition of LecA–ligand binding. Similar results were also obtained for biofilms grown under dynamic flow conditions on steel coupons, suggesting that LecA contributes to P. aeruginosa biofilm architecture under different environmental conditions.
Amoebae promote persistence of epidemic strains of MRSA
Authors: Huws Sharon A. , Smith Anthony W. , Enright Mark C. , Wood Pauline J. , Brown Michael R. W.
Published: February 2006

The control of healthcare‐associated methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection is of concern worldwide. Given the evidence that several pathogenic species replicate within amoebae and emerge more virulent and more resistant and the abundance of amoebae in healthcare settings, we investigated interactions of Acanthamoeba polyphaga with epidemic MRSA isolates. MRSA proliferated in the presence of amoebae, attributable partly to intracellular replication. Following 24 h of co‐culture, confocal microscopy revealed that c. 50% amoebae had viable MRSA within phago‐lysosomes and 2% of amoebae were heavily infected with viable cocci throughout the cytoplasm. Infection control strategies should recognize the contribution of protozoa.
Bacterial diversity is determined by volume in membrane bioreactors
Authors: Van Der Gast Christopher J. , Jefferson Bruce , Reid Elizabeth , Robinson Tim , Bailey Mark J. , Judd Simon J. , Thompson Ian P.
Published: February 2006

It has been proposed that established models and theories developed in classical ecology could be employed to greatly improve the optimization of wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) by placing the microbiological component onto a model‐predictive basis. In particular, this could be achieved by better understanding bacterial community assembly and development. The species–area relationship is one of the oldest biological laws and has been used to describe spatial diversity patterns in contiguous habitats and on islands. In the current study, bacterial communities in seven membrane bioreactors (MBR), of increasing size, located across the UK were sampled. A significant linear relationship between bacterial taxa richness and reactor size was observed and was similar to classical species–area relationships of larger organisms colonizing oceanic islands. Rank‐abundance plots revealed a gradient of greater evenness in community structure as MBR volume increased. Application of the Raup and Crick probability‐based similarity index indicated a strong role for dispersal in MBR colonization and community structure. Our findings demonstrate that the MBR sampled behaved like islands with respect to bacterial colonization in accordance with the theory of island biogeography. In addition this study provides further evidence that biodiversity at the bacterial level is more similar to that of animals and plants than previously postulated.
Genetic variability in environmental isolates of Legionella pneumophila from Comunidad Valenciana (Spain)
Authors: Coscollá Mireia , Gosalbes María José , Catalán Vicente , González‐Candelas Fernando
Published: February 2006

Legionella pneumophila is associated to recurrent outbreaks in several Comunidad Valenciana (Spain) localities, especially in Alcoi, where social and climatic conditions seem to provide an excellent environment for bacterial growth. We have analysed the nucleotide sequences of three loci from 25 environmental isolates from Alcoi and nearby locations sampled over 3 years. The analysis of these isolates has revealed a substantial level of genetic variation, with consistent patterns of variability across loci, and comparable to that found in a large, European‐wide sampling of clinical isolates. Among the tree loci studied, fliC showed the highest level of nucleotide diversity. The analysis of isolates sampled in different years revealed a clear differentiation, with samples from 2001 being significantly distinct from those obtained in 2002 and 2003. Furthermore, although linkage disequilibrium measures indicate a clonal nature for population structure in this sample, the presence of some recombination events cannot be ruled out.
Amplification of low quantity bacterial RNA for microarray studies: time‐course analysis ofLeptospirillum ferrooxidansunder nitrogen‐fixing conditions†
Authors: Moreno‐Paz Mercedes , Parro Víctor
Published: February 2006

We have developed a method for the amplification of low quantity total bacterial RNA for DNA microarrays analysis. Current methods are based on the linear amplification by thein vitrotranscription from the T7 promoter, similar to that used for eukaryotic mRNA amplification. For the incorporation of T7 promoter, the prokaryotic RNA must be enzymatically modified for the incorporation of a polyA tail at the 3′ end to emulate the eukaryotic mRNA. The method we describe and validate herein avoids this step by the direct and random incorporation of the T7 promoter. From 500 ng of total bacterial RNA, we obtained 130–150 µg of antisense RNA, such products being good substrate for fluorescent labelling and DNA microarray analysis. The method was validated with bacterial samples from which it is very difficult to obtain sufficient amounts and quality of total RNA for global gene expression analysis. This is critical for low cell density growing microorganisms, environmental samples, or many extremophiles where the composition of the cultural media severely affects the RNA yield, like in the case of the acidophile and iron oxidizer Gram‐negative bacteriumLeptospirillum ferrooxidans. We further validated our amplification method in parallel experiments with non‐amplified RNA by following the expression of theL. ferrooxidans nifregulon along the time‐course of growth.
Improved glycaemic control with insulin glargine plus insulin lispro: a multicentre, randomized, cross‐over trial in people with Type 1 diabetes
Authors: Ashwell S. G. , Amiel S. A. , Bilous R. W. , Dashora U. , Heller S. R. , Hepburn D. A. , Shutler S. D. , Stephens J. W. , Home P. D.
Published: February 2006

Aims  To compare blood glucose control using insulin glargine + insulin lispro with that on NPH insulin + unmodified human insulin in adults with Type 1 diabetes managed with a multiple injection regimen.

Methods  In this 32‐week, five‐centre, two‐way cross‐over study, people with Type 1 diabetes (n = 56, baseline HbA1c 8.0 ± 0.8%) were randomized to evening insulin glargine + mealtime insulin lispro or to NPH insulin (once‐ or twice‐daily) + mealtime unmodified human insulin. Each 16‐week period concluded with a 24‐h inpatient plasma glucose profile.

Results  HbA1c was lower with glargine + lispro than with NPH + human insulin [7.5 vs. 8.0%, difference −0.5 (95% CI −0.7, −0.3) %, P < 0.001]. This was confirmed by an 8% lower 24‐h plasma glucose area under the curve (AUC) (187 vs. 203 mmol l−1 h−1, P = 0.037), a 24% reduction in plasma glucose AUC > 7.0 mmol/l1 (47 vs. 62 mmol l−1 h−1, P = 0.017) and a 15% lower post‐prandial plasma glucose AUC (75 vs. 88 mmol l−1 h−1, P = 0.002). There was no reduction in night‐time plasma glucose AUC or increase in plasma glucose area < 3.5 mmol/l. Monthly rate of nocturnal hypoglycaemia was reduced by 44% with glargine + lispro (0.66 vs. 1.18 episodes/month, P < 0.001).

Conclusions  Compared with NPH insulin + unmodified human insulin, the combination of insulin glargine with a rapid‐acting insulin analogue as multiple‐injection therapy for Type 1 diabetes improves overall glycaemic control as assessed by HbA1c and 24‐h plasma glucose monitoring to a clinically significant degree, together with a reduction in nocturnal hypoglycaemia.
Is neighbourhood deprivation a risk factor for gestational diabetes mellitus?
Authors: Janghorbani M. , Stenhouse E. A. , Jones R. B. , Millward B. A.
Published: February 2006

Aims  To assess the relationship between neighbourhood deprivation and the rate of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) using routinely collected data from a clinical information system, in Plymouth, UK.

Methods  Between 1 January 1996 and 31 December 1997, 3933 women residing within the Plymouth Primary Care Trust (PCT) were screened for GDM using indices of neighbourhood deprivation and prevalence of GDM. Areas (n = 43) were classified according to the Townsend index, measuring material deprivation. Pregnant women with and without GDM were compared.

Results  The prevalence of GDM was 1.7%[95%, confidence interval (CI) 1.20, 2.11]. The prevalence of GDM ranged from 1.05% (95% CI 0.60, 1.70) in the most deprived to 2.10% (95%, CI 1.34, 3.13), in the least deprived neighbourhood. Crude rates decreased by 50%[relative prevalence (RP) (95% CI) 0.50 (0.27, 0.94); P = 0.06] amongst those living in the most‐deprived compared with those living in the least‐deprived areas. Using a stepwise binary logistic regression model, older age at delivery significantly increased the risk of developing GDM. [RP (95%, CI) 1.09, (1.04, 1.13)]. Townsend deprivation score had no significant independent association with GDM when other covariates were considered.

Conclusion  These data suggest that the neighbourhood context in which women live has no impact on the risk of GDM.
Association of IL‐18 promoter polymorphisms with predisposition to Type 1 diabetes
Authors: Mojtahedi Z. , Naeimi S. , Farjadian S. , Omrani G. R. , Ghaderi A.
Published: February 2006

Aims  IL‐18, a potent IFN‐γ‐inducing cytokine, is capable of polarizing the immune response to a Th1 phenotype. Recent studies have demonstrated an association between single‐nucleotide polymorphisms located at positions −607 (A/C) and −137 (C/G) in the promoter region of IL‐18 gene and Type 1 diabetes. The aim of the present study was to determine whether the same polymorphisms of the gene were associated with Type 1 diabetes in Iranians.

Methods  In 112 patients with Type 1 diabetes and 194 non‐diabetic control subjects, these two single‐nucleotide polymorphisms were analysed by sequence‐specific PCR.

Results  Allele and genotype frequencies of the IL‐18 gene polymorphisms were similar in the whole group of Type 1 diabetic patients and controls. However, categorizing patients according to age at onset of diabetes revealed a significant difference in distribution of the genotypes at position −137 between patients with older age at onset (> 15 years) (GG 49%, GC 34%, CC 17%) and control subjects (GG 57.7%, GC 36.6%, CC 5.7%) (P = 0.027). Frequency of the C allele at position −137 was significantly higher in these patients than in controls (P = 0.038). Moreover, there was an association between −607AA/−137CC genotype combination and susceptibility to Type 1 diabetes in this subgroup of patients (pc = 0.027).

Conclusions  The results of this study show that polymorphisms of IL‐18 promoter confer susceptibility to Type 1 diabetes in Iranian individuals with onset at older ages. Further investigations are necessary to clarify the effect of IL‐18 variants on immune regulation.
Research into the glomerular podocyte—is it relevant to diabetic nephropathy?
Authors: White K. E.
Published: February 2006

The cause of proteinuria in renal disease is the subject of intensive research and, latterly, the podocyte, a specialized epithelial cell of the kidney glomerulus, has been the focus of much of this endeavour. It is a complex cell with functions and structural features that have an important role in the development of proteinuria. This review explores some of the characteristics of the podocyte and how abnormalities of its structure and function may have particular relevance to the development and progression of clinical diabetic nephropathy.
Improving self‐management in insulin‐treated adults participating in diabetes education. The role of overprotection by the partner
Authors: Hagedoorn M. , Keers J. C. , Links T. P. , Bouma J. , Ter Maaten J. C. , Sanderman R.
Published: February 2006

Aims  To examine the role of overprotection by the partner—i.e. excessive protection, unnecessary help, excessive praise for accomplishments, or attempts to restrict activities as a consequence of underestimating the patient's capabilities—in changes in patient self‐management in the context of diabetes education.

Methods  Sixty‐seven insulin‐treated patients with a partner completed questionnaires on admission to a Multidisciplinary Intensive Education Programme (MIEP) and 3 months after completing the core module of MIEP. Factors assessed were overprotection by their partner and three aspects of diabetes self‐management, namely internal locus of control, diabetes‐related distress and HbA1c. Regression analyses were used to test the independent associations of patient sex, baseline overprotection and the interaction between sex and overprotection with diabetes self‐management at the follow‐up stage, controlling for the baseline value of the dependent variable.

Results  The increase in internal locus of control and decrease in HbA1c were both significantly less for female patients who perceived their partner to be rather overprotective than for female patients who did not perceive their partner to be overprotective. The more patients, both male and female, perceived their partner to be overprotective, the less their diabetes‐related distress decreased.

Conclusions  Overprotection by the partner showed a negative association with improvement in diabetes self‐management, especially for female patients. Thus, an intervention programme with the aim of reducing overprotection by the partner, or the perception of this, may enhance self‐management in patients participating in diabetes education.
Increased prevalence of cardiovascular disease in Type 2 diabetic patients with non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Targher G. , Bertolini L. , Padovani R. , Poli F. , Scala L. , Tessari R. , Zenari L. , Falezza G.
Published: February 2006

Aims  To estimate the prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in Type 2 diabetic patients with and without non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and to assess whether NAFLD is independently related to prevalent CVD.

Methods  We studied 400 Type 2 diabetic patients with NAFLD and 400 diabetic patients without NAFLD who were matched for age and sex. Main outcome measures were prevalent CVD (as ascertained by medical history, physical examination, electrocardiogram and echo‐Doppler scanning of carotid and lower limb arteries), NAFLD (by ultrasonography) and presence of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) as defined by the World Health Organization or Adult Treatment Panel III criteria.

Results  The prevalences of coronary (23.0 vs. 15.5%), cerebrovascular (17.2 vs. 10.2%) and peripheral (12.8 vs. 7.0%) vascular disease were significantly increased in those with NAFLD as compared with those without NAFLD (P < 0.001), with no differences between sexes. The MetS (by any criteria) and all its individual components were more frequent in NAFLD patients (P < 0.001). In logistic regression analysis, male sex, age, smoking history and MetS were independently related to prevalent CVD, whereas NAFLD was not.

Conclusions  The prevalence of CVD is increased in patients with Type 2 diabetes and NAFLD in association with an increased prevalence of MetS as compared with diabetic patients without NAFLD. Follow‐up studies are necessary to determine whether this higher prevalence of CVD among diabetic patients with NAFLD affects long‐term mortality.

Diabet. Med. (2006)
Myocardial perfusion imaging and cardiac events in a cohort of asymptomatic patients with diabetes living in southern France
Authors: Sultan A. , Piot C. , Mariano‐Goulart D. , Daures J. P. , Comte F. , Renard E. , Avignon A.
Published: February 2006

Aims  To assess the association between abnormal stress myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) and cardiac events (CE) in asymptomatic patients with diabetes and with ≥ 1 additional risk factor. Predictors of abnormal stress MPI were also evaluated.

Methods  Four hundred and forty‐seven consecutive patients who underwent stress MPI were prospectively followed for 2.1 [0.5–4.1] years for the subsequent occurrence of hard CE (myocardial infarction and sudden or coronary death) and soft CE (unstable angina and ischaemic heart failure requiring hospitalization). Re‐vascularization procedures performed as a result of the screening protocol were not included in the analysis.

Results  Follow‐up was successful in 419 of 447 patients (94%), of whom 71 had abnormal MPI at baseline. Medical therapy was intensified in all subjects and especially in those with abnormal MPI. Twenty‐three patients with abnormal MPI underwent a re‐vascularization procedure. CEs occurred in 14 patients, including six of 71 patients (8.5%) with abnormal MPI and eight of 348 patients (2.3%) with normal MPI (P < 0.005). Only two patients developed a hard CE and 12 a soft CE. In multivariate analysis, abnormal MPI was the strongest predictor for CEs [odds ratio (OR) (95% CI) = 5.6 (1.7–18.5)]. Low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol ≥ 3.35 mmol/l [OR (95% CI) = 7.3; 1.5–34.7] and age > median [OR (95% CI) = 6.0 (1.2–28.6)] were additional independent predictors for CE. The independent predictors for abnormal MPI were male gender, plasma triglycerides ≥ 1.70 mmol/l, creatinine clearance < 60 ml/min and HbA1c > 8%, with male gender the strongest [OR (95% CI) = 4.0 (1.8–8.8)].

Conclusions  Asymptomatic patients with diabetes in this study had a very low hard cardiac event rate over an intermediate period. This could be explained by the effects of intervention or by the low event rate in the background population. Randomized studies of cardiac heart disease screening are required in asymptomatic subjects with diabetes to determine the effectiveness of this intervention.

Diabet. Med. (2006)
Ten Years After: South African Employment Relations Since the Negotiated Revolution
Authors: Donnelly Eddy , Dunn Stephen
Published: February 2006

Post‐apartheid South Africa has embarked on an ambitious programme of labour market reform in pursuit of ‘dynamic efficiency’ and ‘redistributive justice’. It involves both legislation to promote equality among races and an institutional framework inspired by the European Social Model. We examine how this framework has fared over the past decade, in particular pinpointing the tension between adversarial traditions and the new social partnership, and between market‐oriented economic policy and corporatist institutions. Our conclusion is that the system has performed reasonably well, but tackling the mass unemployment at the root of continued inequality is a far longer‐term project.
Choices Within Collective Labour Agreementsà la Cartein the Netherlands
Authors: Delsen Lei , Benders Jos , Smits Jeroen
Published: February 2006

In recent years European employers, unions and governments have developed initiatives that offer employees the right to exchange certain items within an agreed package of employment conditions. So far, the available evidence on the use of such ‘cafeteria systems’ is largely based on survey data rather than on actual choices. We analyse the actual choices made by the employees of Radboud University Nijmegen in the years 2002–2004. The results cast doubt on the efficiency and the effectiveness of employee choices within collective agreements, contradict the unions’ push for working time reduction and question wage moderation and policies on work–life balance.
Flexibility and Fairness in Liberal Market Economies: The Comparative Impact of the Legal Environment and High‐Performance Work Systems
Authors: Colvin Alexander J. S.
Published: February 2006

This paper compares management flexibility in employment decision making in the United States and Canada through a cross‐national survey of organizations in representative jurisdictions in each country, Pennsylvania and Ontario, respectively, that investigates the impact of differences in their legal environments. The results indicate that, compared to their Ontario counterparts, organizations in Pennsylvania have a higher degree of flexibility in employment outcomes, such as higher dismissal and discipline rates, yet do not experience any greater flexibility or simplicity in management hiring and firing decisions. One explanation for this result may lie in the finding that organizations in Pennsylvania experience greater legal pressures on decision making, reflecting the generally more intense conflict in the employment law system in the United States. By contrast, high‐performance work systems, which some have looked to as a possible management‐driven mechanism for enhancing fairness in employment, had more modest effects.
Human Resource Management and Performance in UK Call Centres
Authors: Wood Stephen , Holman David , Stride Christopher
Published: February 2006

Using data from a sample of 145 UK call centres, the authors test the core propositions of the strategic human resource management (SHRM) approach that: (a) there are coherent links through the SHRM chain from strategy, through operational requirements, to work design and human resource management, and (b) the fit between the human resource practices and market factors determines organizational performance. Little support for these hypotheses is found as only (a) a few direct relationships between the elements of the SHRM chain are found, and (b) direct relationships, rather than those moderated by market factors, are found between human resource practices and performance. But key operational requirements are linked to work design, which is itself related to a limited number of human resource practices. The direct effects of work design on key performance indicators are more pronounced than those of human resource practices.
The Bases of Compromise in the Workplace: A Theoretical Framework
Authors: Edwards Paul , Bélanger Jacques , Wright Martyn
Published: February 2006

Schemes for workplace participation have long been promoted and vilified. Such conflicting views have been brought into sharp focus by the highly variable results of such practices as teamwork. Yet a theoretical framework to grasp workplace co‐operation is lacking. This paper develops a framework on the basis of theory and a review of a wide range of empirical studies. Capital and labour each have two sets of ‘concerns’: over ‘control’ of the workplace and the longer term ‘development’ of the productive forces. Cross‐classifying these concerns produces a matrix of patterns of workplace relations. Each cell of the matrix represents a different combination of the interests of capital and labour. The matrix can be used to map participation schemes so as to capture their varying features. The next task, pursued elsewhere, is to identify the conditions leading to locations in different cells of the matrix.
COALITIONS AMONG INTELLIGENT AGENTS: A TRACTABLE CASE
Authors: Belmonte M. V. , Conejo R. , Pérez‐de‐la‐Cruz J. L. , Triguero F.
Published: February 2006

Coalition formation is an important mechanism for cooperation in multiagent systems. In this paper we address the problem of coalition formation among self‐interested agents in superadditive task‐oriented domains. We assume that each agent has some “structure,” i.e., that it can be described by the values taken by a set ofmnonnegative attributes that represent the resourcesweach agent is endowed with. By defining the coalitional value as a functionVofw, we prove a sufficient condition for the existence of a stable payment configuration—in the sense of the core—in terms of certain properties ofV. We apply these ideas to a simple case that can be described by a linear program and show that it is possible to compute for it—in polynomial time—an optimal task allocation and a stable payment configuration.
The First Congress of Ethnozoological Nomenclature
Authors: Berlin Brent
Published: February 2006

Folk names for fundamental ethnobiological categories have been shown to be governed by regular nomenclatural principles. Two principles at work in ethnozoological nomenclature – onomatopoeia and metaphorical description of some observable property of the organism – are fairly well established as the basis for naming many folk genera. A third but less understood principle is that associated with what has been called sound symbolism. In the languages of traditional peoples, semantically opaque names for animals often exhibit sound‐symbolic properties that humans unconsciously recognize as capturing some aspect of the fundamental essence or nature of the creature being named. How is this to be explained, in spite of the changes that have taken place in human verbal communication since the beginnings of what one might call full‐blown language? In what ways are these principles related to more general principles of natural classification based on shape and movement? If verbal mimesis represents a critical stage in the evolution of human cognition, what informed speculations can be brought to bear on what might be called the First Congress of Ethnozoological Nomenclature?
Changes in letter sound knowledge are associated with development of phonological awareness in pre‐school children
Authors: Foy Judith G. , Mann Virginia
Published: February 2006

Letter sound knowledge, which, together with phonological awareness, is highly predictive of pre‐school children's reading acquisition, derives from children's knowledge of their associated letter names and the phonological patterns of those names. In this study of 66 monolingual pre‐school children we examined whether phonological patterns between letter names and their associated sounds might be differentially associated with aspects of phonological awareness. Results suggest that rudimentary levels of phonological awareness may facilitate the learning of letter sound associations. However, more explicit phonological awareness appears to be linked bi‐directionally with letter sound knowledge with diverse name‐sound associations, with letter sound associations that do not follow regular patterns (e.g. ‘juh’ for ‘j’ and ‘huh’ for ‘h’) most closely associated with performance in more complex phoneme awareness tasks.
Range Unit‐Root (RUR) Tests: Robust against Nonlinearities, Error Distributions, Structural Breaks and Outliers
Authors: Aparicio Felipe , Escribano Alvaro , Sipols Ana E.
Published: February 2006

Abstract.  Since the seminal paper by Dickey and Fuller in 1979, unit‐root tests have conditioned the standard approaches to analysing time series with strong serial dependence in mean behaviour, the focus being placed on the detection of eventual unit roots in an autoregressive model fitted to the series. In this paper, we propose a completely different method to test for the type of long‐wave patterns observed not only in unit‐root time series but also in series following more complex data‐generating mechanisms. To this end, our testing device analyses the unit‐root persistence exhibited by the data while imposing very few constraints on the generating mechanism. We call our device the range unit‐root (RUR) test since it is constructed from the running ranges of the series from which we derive its limit distribution. These nonparametric statistics endow the test with a number of desirable properties, the invariance to monotonic transformations of the series and the robustness to the presence of important parameter shifts. Moreover, the RUR test outperforms the power of standard unit‐root tests on near‐unit‐root stationary time series; it is invariant with respect to the innovations distribution and asymptotically immune to noise. An extension of the RUR test, called the forward–backward range unit‐root (FB‐RUR) improves the check in the presence of additive outliers. Finally, we illustrate the performances of both range tests and their discrepancies with the Dickey–Fuller unit‐root test on exchange rate series.
Explaining Men's Entry into Female‐Concentrated Occupations: Issues of Masculinity and Social Class
Authors: Lupton Ben
Published: February 2006

This article seeks to add to an understanding of why some men enter female‐concentrated occupations (and why the majority do not). Drawing on the results of in‐depth interviews with 27 men in a range of occupations, I illustrate and interpret the complex and often contradictory ways in which men approach the notion of working in female‐concentrated occupations and examine the impact that this has on their occupational outcomes. The data suggest that different attitudes to female‐concentrated work cannot in themselves explain men's presence there. Consequently I explore, with particular reference to social class, the context in which attitudes around gender, work and occupational destinations, are framed. I conclude that men's entry to female‐concentrated occupations may best be approached, not as an issue of ‘masculinity’ but as one of social mobility operating within a gendered labour market.
Toxicology and health risks of hydroquinone in skin lightening formulations
Authors: Kooyers TJ , Westerhof W
Published: February 2006

Background Hydroquinone has been used for decades as a skin lightening agent. As a result of concerns about mid‐term effects like leukomelanoderma en confetti and exogenous ochronosis, its use in cosmetics has been banned since January 2001.

Objective Until recently no attention was paid to potential long‐term side‐effects, despite the fact that there are indications that these may exist. It was decided that a clearer picture of these potential long term effects was needed.

Methods A literature search was conducted with an emphasis on the biochemistry and toxicology of hydroquinone, benzene and related molecules.

Results It appeared that since 1996 an enormous amount of articles have been published on the carcinogenicity of hydroquinone, benzene and related molecules.

The literature search on hydroquinone as a skin lightening agent suggests that possible long‐term effects like carcinogenesis may be expected.

Conclusion The risks of long‐term effects (cancer) of topically applied hydroquinone may no longer be ignored. Based on recent evidence of the potential risks, which are higher than has been assumed up until now, we plead that the use of hydroquinone as a skin lightening agent will be stopped completely.
Cutaneous plasmacytosis associated with lung and anal carcinomas
Authors: Martín JM , Calduch L , Monteagudo C , Molina I , Ramón D , Alonso V , Jordá E
Published: February 2006

Cutaneous plasmacytosis is a rare disorder characterized by a benign proliferation of mature plasma cells that appears as multiple dark‐brown to purplish skin lesions, often associated with polyclonal hypergammaglobulinaemia. We present the case of a 55‐year‐old Caucasian man who suffered from a cutaneous plasmacytosis associated with two different carcinomas. Cutaneous plasmacytosis seems to be a reactive process because most cases reported are not associated with any apparent underlying disease. Nevertheless, because few reported cases were associated with malignancies, screening of additional neoplasms would be justified.
Pyoderma gangrenosum as first clinical manifestation of gastric adenocarcinoma
Authors: da Costa França AE , Braga Salvino LK , Rodrigues Leite SH , Paraíso Ferraz JG , Santos Rocha TD , Cintra ML , Neves Velho PE , Souza EM
Published: February 2006

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a neutrophilic dermatosis of unknown etiology characterized by typical skin ulcers. It may be related to systemic disorders but its association with solid tumors is very unusual. In this setting, we describe a patient in whom PG was the first and isolated manifestation of advanced gastric adenocarcinoma.
Peripheral insulin resistance in patients with Behçet's disease
Authors: Erdem H , Dinc A , Pay S , Simsek I , Turan M
Published: February 2006

In this study, we examined peripheral insulin resistance in patients with Behçet's disease (BD) characterized by chronic inflammation and endothelial dysfunction. Fourteen patients with BD and 15 healthy controls were recruited to the study. Insulin resistance was investigated by the hyperinsulinaemic–euglycaemic glucose clamp technique. BD patients displayed an enhanced rate of insulin resistance compared to healthy controls (P = 0.014). The insulin sensitivity (M), measured as the glucose utilization rate under steady‐state conditions of euglycaemia, was significantly decreased (P = 0.001) in BD patients compared to the controls (4.09 ± 0.16 vs. 5.60 ± 0.27 mg/kg/min). The C‐reactive protein (CRP) level, but not the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), was significantly related to the presence of insulin resistance (CRP: rs = 0.589, P = 0.27; ESR: rs = 0444, P = 0112), whereas no relationship was found between the M‐value and ESR or CRP. We conclude that patients with BD exhibit peripheral insulin resistance; this could be explained as the diverse consequences of inflammation and endothelial dysfunction in BD.
Sweet's syndrome on the area of postmastectomy lymphoedema
Authors: García‐Río I , Pérez‐Gala S , Aragüés M , Fernández‐Herrera J , Fraga J , García‐Díez A
Published: February 2006

Background  Sweet's syndrome (SS) has been reported in association with many conditions, including malignancy, infections, autoimmune disorders, pregnancy and drugs.

Materials and methods  We reviewed patients with SS‐like lesions on the lymphoedema area seen in our department. Clinical manifestations, histopathologic characteristics, treatment and outcome data were recorded and analysed.

Results  We report seven women with a history of surgery for breast cancer with axillary lymphadenectomy. Six of them were on tamoxifen. All of them had various lesions consistent with SS localized predominantly on the limb affected by the postmastectomy lymphoedema, and on the ipsilateral chest, trunk and back. One of them presented bullous lesions. Three of the cases underwent spontaneous remission, two resolved with antibiotic therapy, one healed with corticosteroids, and one with corticosteroids plus antibiotic.

Conclusions  Erythematous tender plaques on the area of postmastectomy lymphoedema could be considered an unusual manifestation of Sweet's syndrome. We have found only three similar cases in the literature. Although it is difficult to elucidate the pathogenesis of this entity, it has been suggested that it could be due to immune surveillance impairment.
Learning unit prices in a new currency
Authors: Juliusson Asgeir , Gamble Amelie , Gärling Tommy
Published: February 2006

In the European Union, some citizens adapt to the Euro transition by converting the new currency to the old familiar one (‘re‐scaling’), whereas some adapt by learning the product prices in the Euro (‘re‐learning’). Employing a total of 65 undergraduates in two laboratory experiments, factors that may make such price learning difficult were identified. In Experiment 1, learning of unit prices for cellular phone calls from sequences of duration–price examples was more difficult when a fixed connection fee is added to the price of each call. Witnessing the adverse impact of price variation, Experiment 2 showed that simultaneous learning of several unit prices was less accurate than learning of single unit price.
Examination of the health‐belief model to predict the dietary quality and body mass of adults
Authors: Sapp Stephen G. , Weng Chih‐Yuan
Published: February 2006

We examined the ability of the health‐belief model to predict individuals’ dietary quality and body mass among a nationwide sample of 1319 adults in the United States. Simultaneous estimation of the structural equation model found acceptable goodness‐of‐fit to the data. Explained variance in dietary quality and body mass, however, were moderate to weak. The model included three types of nutrition knowledge: basic facts, diet–health awareness and ability to accurately self‐assess nutrient intake. None of these variables had a strong effect on dietary quality or body mass. We speculate that lifestyle characteristics, cultural habits, community infrastructure, and the politics of food production and retailing – variables found in other studies to affect dietary quality and body mass yet not available in our data – might outweigh the effects of nutrition knowledge and sociodemographic factors on estimating dietary quality and body mass. We suggest that future research and intervention programmes focus more on social, cultural and political context than on nutrition knowledge. Current collaborations among life and social scientists to design foods to improve human nutrition might also prove effective in reducing the prevalence of overweight and obesity.
Telomere length in small‐for‐gestational‐age babies
Authors: Akkad A , Hastings R , Konje JC , Bell SC , Thurston H , Williams B
Published: February 2006

Objective  Short telomeres are associated with adult cardiovascular disease. Our aim was to determine whether small‐for‐gestational‐age (SGA) newborns have shortened telomeres compared with appropriately grown controls.

Design  Prospective cohort study.

Setting  Large tertiary referral unit in Trent, UK.

Population  Seventy‐two women who delivered at 35–42 weeks of gestation were recruited; 34 delivered SGA babies (less than or equal to the third birthweight centile) and 38 had appropriately grown babies (greater than the tenth centile).

Methods  Maternal and cord blood samples were collected at delivery. A Southern blot of DNA from these samples was hybridised with a 32P‐labelled telomeric probe and telomere length was measured.

Main  outcome measures Mean maternal and newborn telomere length.

Results  Maternal and newborn telomere lengths were significantly correlated in both the SGA and the control groups (r2= 0.25, P < 0.0001). Telomere lengths were similar in both maternal (control 8.41 ± 0.9 kb versus SGA 8.29 ± 1.0 kb, P= 0.57) and newborn (control 10.36 ± 1.5 kb versus SGA 10.33 ± 1.3 kb, P= 0.93) cohorts in the two groups.

Conclusions  Intrauterine events associated with impaired fetal growth do not appear to be associated with increased telomere shortening.
Angiotensinogen gene variants and small‐for‐gestational‐age infants
Authors: Tower C , Chappell S , Kalsheker N , Baker P , Morgan L
Published: February 2006

In 2003, the angiotensinogen (AGT) gene was found to be associated with infants small for gestational age (SGA). The present study of 107 pregnancies affected by SGA infants and 101 normal pregnancies was designed to further investigate this association. Maternal or fetal AGT genotype or haplotype frequencies did not differ between SGA and normal pregnancies (P > 0.35). Quantitative trait analysis of mothers with normal pregnancies demonstrated an association between AGT haplotype and blood pressure and body mass index at antenatal booking (P= 0.04), suggesting that AGT may play a role in the complex relationship between body mass and blood pressure in healthy pregnant women.
Does the way that women experience the onset of labour influence the duration of labour?
Authors: Gross Mechthild M , Hecker Hartmut , Matterne Andrea , Guenter Hans Heinrich , Keirse Marc JNC
Published: February 2006

Objective  To assess whether the way in which women experience the onset of their labour influences the duration of their labour.

Design  Longitudinal study on a convenient sample of women in spontaneous labour with a singleton pregnancy in cephalic presentation at term.

Setting  University hospital in Germany.

Population/Sample  Six hundred and fifty‐one women (347 primiparae and 304 parae).

Methods  Women recorded how and when labour had started. Responses were subjected to structured content analysis. Two investigators independently subdivided women's reported signs and symptoms into eight predefined categories. These data were related to maternal characteristics and to the course and outcome of labour as documented in the perinatal record.

Main outcome measures  Women's perception of how labour had started, interval between onset of labour and rupture of the membranes and duration of first stage labour and overall duration of labour.

Results  Only 60% of women reported contractions as a sign of the onset of their labour. These women had a longer interval between the onset of labour and rupture of the membranes but a similar duration of labour when compared with women who did not report contractions as a sign of the onset of labour. Self‐reported loss of amniotic fluid was the only sign that showed a consistent relationship with the duration of labour. Other patterns of labour onset had no effect on the duration of labour.

Conclusion  Irrespective of whether they have given birth before, women experience their onset of labour in a variety of ways. A large proportion of these experiences bear no resemblance to the classical diagnosis of labour and most are unrelated to the duration of labour.
Relationship between high consumption of marine fatty acids in early pregnancy and hypertensive disorders in pregnancy
Authors: Olafsdottir AS , Skuladottir GV , Thorsdottir I , Hauksson A , Thorgeirsdottir H , Steingrimsdottir L
Published: February 2006

Objective  To investigate whether there is a relationship between maternal intake of cod‐liver oil in early and late pregnancy and hypertensive disorders in pregnancy.

Design  An observational prospective study.

Setting  Free‐living conditions in a community with traditional fish and cod‐liver oil consumption.

Population  Four hundred and eighty‐eight low‐risk pregnant Icelandic women.

Methods  Maternal use of cod‐liver oil, foods and other supplements was estimated with a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire covering food intake together with lifestyle factors for the previous 3 months. Questionnaires were filled out twice, between 11 and 15 weeks of gestation and between 34 and 37 weeks of gestation. Supplements related to hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, i.e. gestational hypertension and pre‐eclampsia, were presented, with logistic regression controlling for potential confounding.

Main outcome measures  Gestational hypertension, pre‐eclampsia, cod‐liver oil and multivitamins.

Results  The odds ratio for developing hypertensive disorders in pregnancy for women consuming liquid cod‐liver oil was 4.7 (95% CI 1.8–12.6, P= 0.002), after adjusting for confounding factors. By dividing the amount of n‐3 long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n‐3 LCPUFA) into centiles, the odds ratio for hypertensive disorders across groups for n‐3 LCPUFA suggested a u‐shaped curve (P= 0.008). Similar results were found for gestational hypertension alone. Further, the use of multivitamin supplements without vitamins A and D in late pregnancy doubled the odds of hypertensive disorders (OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.0–5.4, P= 0.044).

Conclusions  Consumption of high doses of n‐3 LCPUFA in early pregnancy, or other nutrients found in liquid cod‐liver oil, may increase the risk of developing hypertensive disorders in pregnancy.
Caesarean section and subsequent fertility in sub‐Saharan Africa
Authors: Collin SM , Marshall T , Filippi V
Published: February 2006

Objective  To determine the impact of caesarean section on fertility among women in sub‐Saharan Africa.

Design  Analysis of standardised cross‐sectional surveys (Demographic and Health Surveys).

Setting  Twenty‐two countries in sub‐Saharan Africa, 1993–2003.

Sample  A total of 35 398 women of childbearing age (15–49 years).

Methods  Time to subsequent pregnancy was compared by mode of delivery using Cox proportional hazards regression models.

Main outcome measures  Natural fertility rates subsequent to delivery by caesarean section compared with natural fertility rates subsequent to vaginal delivery.

Results  The natural fertility rate subsequent to delivery by caesarean section was 17% lower than the natural fertility rate subsequent to vaginal delivery (hazard ratio = 0.83, 95% CI 0.73–0.96, P < 0.01; controlling for age, parity, level of education, urban/rural residence and young age at first intercourse). Caesarean section was also associated with prior fertility and desire for further children: among multiparous women, an interval ≥3 versus <3 years between the index birth and the previous birth was associated with higher odds of caesarean section at the index birth (OR = 1.4, 95% CI 1.1–1.7, P= 0.005); among all women, the odds of desiring further children were lower among women who had previously delivered by caesarean section (OR = 0.67, 95% CI 0.54–0.84, P < 0.001). Caesarean section did not appear to increase the risk of a subsequent pregnancy ending in miscarriage, abortion or stillbirth.

Conclusions  Among women in sub‐Saharan Africa, caesarean section is associated with lower subsequent natural fertility. Although this reflects findings from developed countries, the roles of pathological and psychological factors may be quite different because a much higher proportion of caesarean sections in sub‐Saharan Africa are emergency procedures for maternal indication.
Long‐term follow up of children exposed in utero to nifedipine or ritodrine for the management of preterm labour
Authors: Houtzager BA , Hogendoorn SM , Papatsonis DNM , Samsom JF , Van Geijn HP , Bleker OP , Van Wassenaer AG
Published: February 2006

Objective  To compare the long‐term psychosocial and motor effects on children exposed in utero to nifedipine or ritodrine for the management of preterm labour.

Design  Randomised controlled trial.

Setting  Multicentre study in two university and one primary hospital in the Netherlands.

Population  In the original trial, 185 women were randomised to either nifedipine (n= 95) or ritodrine (n= 90). Of the 185 liveborn children, 171 survived (92%), and of these 102 (61%) were followed up at age 9–12 years.

Methods  Age‐specific questionnaires were administered to the parent and teacher. Additional data were obtained from medical records.

Main outcome measures  Questionnaires were used to assess the child's behavioural–emotional problems, quality of life (QoL), motor functioning, parenting distress and the child's education.

Results  Of the 171 eligible families, 102 (61%) agreed to participate and completed the questionnaires. Response was equal in the ritodrine group (n= 54 of 83 surviving children, 65%) compared with the nifedipine group (n= 48 of 88 surviving children, 55%). After controlling for differing perinatal characteristics at birth, no significant differences between the groups were detected with respect to long‐term behaviour–emotional outcome, QoL, education, motor functioning or parenting distress. Psychosocial outcome was slightly better in the nifedipine group.

Conclusions  The results do not support any differential postnatal effect of the tocolytic agents ritodrine or nifedipine on the child's long‐term psychosocial and motor functioning. The slightly better outcome of children randomised in the nifedipine group is most likely due to more favourable perinatal outcomes in this group. These results merit further investigation in a larger group of survivors.