bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Iranian Journalism and the Law in the Twentieth Century
Authors: Shahidi Hossein
Published: December 2008

Although the first Persian language newspaper was published in Iran 170 years ago, Iranian journalism is a twentieth century creation, indeed a product of the 1906 Constitutional Revolution. The press played a significant part in the revolution, especially by promoting the demand for the rule of laws enacted by parliament, rather than decrees issued by the king or the religious leaders. Once a constitution had been declared, many journalists felt relieved of all restrictions and engaged in bitter, personal attacks on their opponents, including the monarch and his family. Many papers also opposed a press law that was passed soon after the revolution, arguing that it was meant to suppress their newly-gained freedom. Five more press laws have been passed in Iran since then, but the debate over press freedom and the rule of law in the country does not appear to be anywhere near resolution.
Regulating polarity by directing traffic: Cdc42 prevents adherens junctions from Crumblin' aPart
Authors: Duncan Mara C. , Peifer Mark
Published: December 2008

The GTPase Cdc42 was among the original genes identified with roles in cell polarity, and interest in its cellular roles from yeast to humans remains high. Cdc42 is a well-known regulator of the actin cytoskeleton, but also plays important roles in vesicular trafficking. In this issue, Harris and Tepass (Harris, K.P, and U. Tepass. 2008. J. Cell. Biol. 183:1129–1143) provide new insights into how Cdc42 and Par proteins work together to modulate cell adhesion and polarity during embryonic morphogenesis by regulating the traffic of key cell junction proteins.
MyD88-dependent, superoxide-initiated inflammation is necessary for flow-mediated inward remodeling of conduit arteries
Authors: Tang Paul C.Y. , Qin Lingfeng , Zielonka Jacek , Zhou Jing , Matte-Martone Catherine , Bergaya Sonia , van Rooijen Nico , Shlomchik Warren D. , Min Wang , Sessa William C. , Pober Jordan S. , Tellides George
Published: December 2008

Vascular remodeling normalizes abnormal hemodynamic stresses through structural changes affecting vessel size and wall thickness. We investigated the role of inflammation in flow-mediated vascular remodeling using a murine model of partial outflow reduction without flow cessation or neointima formation. Common carotid arteries decreased in size after ipsilateral external carotid artery ligation in wild-type mice, but not in myeloid differentiation protein-88 (MyD88)–deficient mice. Inward remodeling was associated with MyD88-dependent and superoxide-initiated cytokine and chemokine production, as well as transient adventitial macrophage accumulation and activation. Macrophage depletion prevented flow-mediated inward vascular remodeling. Expression of MyD88 by intrinsic vascular cells was necessary for cytokine and chemokine production and changes in vessel size, whereas MyD88 expression by bone marrow–derived cells was obligatory for changes in vessel size. We conclude that there are at least two distinct roles for MyD88 in flow-mediated inward remodeling of conduit arteries. Our findings suggest that inflammation is necessary for vascular adaptation to changes in hemodynamic forces.
Antigen-specific peripheral shaping of the natural regulatory T cell population
Authors: Lathrop Stephanie K. , Santacruz Nicole A. , Pham Dominic , Luo Jingqin , Hsieh Chyi-Song
Published: December 2008

Although regulatory T (T reg) cells are thought to develop primarily in the thymus, the peripheral events that shape the protective T reg cell population are unclear. We analyzed the peripheral CD4+ T cell receptor (TCR) repertoire by cellular phenotype and location in mice with a fixed TCRβ chain. We found that T reg (Foxp3+) cells showed a marked skewing of TCR usage by anatomical location in a manner similar to antigen-experienced (CD44hiFoxp3−) but not naive (CD44loFoxp3−) cells, even though CD44hi and T reg cells used mostly dissimilar TCRs. This was likely unrelated to peripheral conversion, which we estimate generates only a small percentage of peripheral T reg cells in adults. Conversion was readily observed, however, during the immune response induced by Foxp3− cells in lymphopenic hosts. Interestingly, the converted Foxp3+ and expanded Foxp3− TCR repertoires were different, suggesting that generation of Foxp3+ cells is not an automatic process upon antigen activation of Foxp3− T cells. Retroviral expression of these TCRs in primary monoclonal T cells confirmed that conversion did not require prior cellular conditioning. Thus, these data demonstrate that TCR specificity plays a crucial role in the process of peripheral conversion and in shaping the peripheral T reg cell population to the local antigenic landscape.
Control of the adaptive response of the heart to stress via the Notch1 receptor pathway
Authors: Croquelois Adrien , Domenighetti Andrea A. , Nemir Mohamed , Lepore Mario , Rosenblatt-Velin Nathalie , Radtke Freddy , Pedrazzini Thierry
Published: December 2008

In the damaged heart, cardiac adaptation relies primarily on cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. The recent discovery of cardiac stem cells in the postnatal heart, however, suggests that these cells could participate in the response to stress via their capacity to regenerate cardiac tissues. Using models of cardiac hypertrophy and failure, we demonstrate that components of the Notch pathway are up-regulated in the hypertrophic heart. The Notch pathway is an evolutionarily conserved cell-to-cell communication system, which is crucial in many developmental processes. Notch also plays key roles in the regenerative capacity of self-renewing organs. In the heart, Notch1 signaling takes place in cardiomyocytes and in mesenchymal cardiac precursors and is activated secondary to stimulated Jagged1 expression on the surface of cardiomyocytes. Using mice lacking Notch1 expression specifically in the heart, we show that the Notch1 pathway controls pathophysiological cardiac remodeling. In the absence of Notch1, cardiac hypertrophy is exacerbated, fibrosis develops, function is altered, and the mortality rate increases. Therefore, in cardiomyocytes, Notch controls maturation, limits the extent of the hypertrophic response, and may thereby contribute to cell survival. In cardiac precursors, Notch prevents cardiogenic differentiation, favors proliferation, and may facilitate the expansion of a transient amplifying cell compartment.
Implementation of Evidence-based Humanitarian Programs in Military-led Missions: Part II. The Impact Assessment Model
Authors: Reaves Erik J. , Schor Kenneth W. , Burkle Frederick M.
Published: December 2008

The Department of Defense does not implement health-sector humanitarian assistance impact assessments to complement those of the international humanitarian aid community. This oversight fails to meet the recent Department of Defense Directive 3000.05 mandate calling for the application of measures of effectiveness. The decision by the Department of Defense to incorporate humanitarian assistance in stability operations should be supported by evidence-based impact assessments. This article proposes implementation of an impact assessment model in Department of Defense humanitarian assistance operations. The use of an impact assessment model will refocus previously identified information gaps from traditional military input-output management toward a greater emphasis on outcomes. This will help answer which humanitarian activities are successful, which are not, and why. Over time, the use of an impact assessment model will ensure that the Department of Defense and its operational units are learning as an organization while applying evidence-based lessons learned to future stability operations. Most important, the use of this model will both provide better understanding of the role that the Department of Defense has in humanitarian activities and help interpret and transfer these activities to the host nation and international aid community in a timely and efficient manner. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2008;2:237–244)
Estimating antiviral effectiveness against pandemic influenza using household data
Authors: Glass Kathryn , Becker Niels G
Published: December 2008

Current estimates of antiviral effectiveness for influenza are based on the existing strains of the virus. Should a pandemic strain emerge, strain-specific estimates will be required as early as possible to ensure that antiviral stockpiles are used optimally and to compare the benefits of using antivirals as prophylaxis or to treat cases. We present a method to measure antiviral effectiveness using early pandemic data on household outbreak sizes, including households that are provided with antivirals for prophylaxis and those provided with antivirals for treatment only. We can assess whether antiviral drugs have a significant impact on susceptibility or on infectivity with the data from approximately 200 to 500 households with a primary case. Fewer households will suffice if the data can be collected before case numbers become high, and estimates are more precise if the study includes data from prophylaxed households and households where no antivirals are provided. Rates of asymptomatic infection and the level of transmissibility of the virus do not affect the accuracy of these estimates greatly, but the pattern of infectivity in the individual strongly influences the estimate of the effect of antivirals on infectivity. An accurate characterization of the infectiousness profile—informed by strain-specific data—is essential for measuring antiviral effectiveness.
Why are some people left-handed? An evolutionary perspective
Authors: Llaurens V , Raymond M , Faurie C
Published: December 2008

Since prehistoric times, left-handed individuals have been ubiquitous in human populations, exhibiting geographical frequency variations. Evolutionary explanations have been proposed for the persistence of the handedness polymorphism. Left-handedness could be favoured by negative frequency-dependent selection. Data have suggested that left-handedness, as the rare hand preference, could represent an important strategic advantage in fighting interactions. However, the fact that left-handedness occurs at a low frequency indicates that some evolutionary costs could be associated with left-handedness. Overall, the evolutionary dynamics of this polymorphism are not fully understood. Here, we review the abundant literature available regarding the possible mechanisms and consequences of left-handedness. We point out that hand preference is heritable, and report how hand preference is influenced by genetic, hormonal, developmental and cultural factors. We review the available information on potential fitness costs and benefits acting as selective forces on the proportion of left-handers. Thus, evolutionary perspectives on the persistence of this polymorphism in humans are gathered for the first time, highlighting the necessity for an assessment of fitness differences between right- and left-handers.
Epigenesis of behavioural lateralization in humans and other animals
Authors: Schaafsma S.M , Riedstra B.J , Pfannkuche K.A , Bouma A , Groothuis T.G.G
Published: December 2008

Despite several decades of research, the epigenesis of behavioural and brain lateralization is still elusive, although its knowledge is important in understanding developmental plasticity, function and evolution of lateralization, and its relationship with developmental disorders. Over the last decades, it has become clear that behavioural lateralization is not restricted to humans, but a fundamental principle in the organization of behaviour in vertebrates. This has opened the possibility of extending descriptive studies on human lateralization with descriptive and experimental studies on other vertebrate species. In this review, we therefore explore the evidence for the role of genes and environment on behavioural lateralization in humans and other animals. First, we discuss the predominant genetic models for human handedness, and conclude that their explanatory power alone is not sufficient, leaving, together with ambiguous results from adoption studies and selection experiments in animals, ample opportunity for a role of environmental factors. Next, we discuss the potential influence of such factors, including perinatal asymmetrical perception induced by asymmetrical head position or parental care, and social modulation, both in humans and other vertebrates, presenting some evidence from our own work on the domestic chick. We conclude that both perinatal asymmetrical perception and later social modulation are likely candidates in influencing the degree or strength of lateralization in both humans and other vertebrates. However, in most cases unequivocal evidence for this is lacking and we will point out further avenues for research.
Does testosterone affect lateralization of brain and behaviour? A meta-analysis in humans and other animal species
Authors: Pfannkuche Kristina A , Bouma Anke , Groothuis Ton G.G
Published: December 2008

Lateralization of brain and behaviour has been the topic of research for many years in neuropsychology, but the factors guiding its development remain elusive. Based on sex differences in human lateralization, four hypotheses have been postulated that suggest a role for androgens, specifically testosterone. With the discovery that lateralization is a fundamental principle in the organization of brain and behaviour among vertebrates, it has now become possible to experimentally test such hypotheses in animal models. The use of different taxa, humans, other mammalian species and birds (with oestradiol and not testosterone involved in sexual differentiation in birds) facilitates to differentiate between the hypotheses. We used meta-analyses for analysing papers that provided sufficient information, and a semi-quantitative approach based on all relevant studies that we extracted from the literature. We tested the predictions of these hypotheses regarding strength and direction of lateralization for motor output, language and visuospatial cognition in these three taxa. We tested for sex differences and early organizational effects of testosterone (both correlative and experimental studies). We found sex differences in the direction of lateralization for non-human mammals (motor biases similar to humans) and in direction and strength in birds (visual cognitive tasks). However, the prediction that prenatal testosterone exposure affects the direction of lateralization was not supported for humans. In birds and non-human mammals, opposite trends were found, with the effect in non-human mammals being opposite to the expectation based on sex differences. None of the four hypotheses was sufficiently supported and more studies, testing a wider array of functions in different taxa while reporting the data more completely are needed.
Deficiency of antiproliferative family protein Ana correlates with development of lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Yoneda Mitsuhiro , Suzuki Toru , Nakamura Takahisa , Ajima Rieko , Yoshida Yutaka , Kakuta Shigeru , Sudo Katsuko , Iwakura Yoichiro , Shibutani Makoto , Mitsumori Kunitoshi , Yokota Jun , Yamamoto Tadashi
Published: December 2008

The abundant in neuroepithelium area (ana) gene was originally identified as a member of the tob/btg family of antiproliferative genes. Like the other family members, Ana inhibits growth of NIH3T3 cells when overexpressed. However, whether or not Ana is involved in tumor progression has been elusive. Here, we show that expression of ana is relatively high in the lung, the expression being restricted in type II alveolar epithelial cells. We further show that ana expression is reduced in 97% of the human lung cancer cell lines examined (61/63) and 86% of clinical samples from lung adenocarcinoma patients (36/42). Long‐term observation of ana‐deficient (ana−/–) mice reveals that 8% of them develop lung tumors (5/66) by 21 months after birth, while 0% of wild‐type mice (0/35) develop the same type of tumors. We also show that exogenously expressed ana gene product suppresses the levels of matrix metalloproteinase‐2 (MMP‐2) and plasminogen activator inhibitor‐1 (PAI‐1) expression in lung cancer cells. Taken together, we propose that ana functions as a tumor suppressor and that its product inhibits tumor progression as well by suppressing angiogenesis, invasion, and metastasis. (Cancer Sci 2009; 100: 225–232)
Transition shock: the initial stage of role adaptation for newly graduated Registered Nurses
Authors: Duchscher Judy E. Boychuk
Published: December 2008

Title.  Transition shock: the initial stage of role adaptation for newly graduated Registered Nurses.

Aim.  The aim of this paper is to provide a theoretical framework of the initial role transition for newly graduated nurses to assist managers, educators and seasoned practitioners to support and facilitate this professional adjustment appropriately.

Background.  The theory of Transition Shock presented here builds on Kramer’s work by outlining how the contemporary new graduate engaging in a professional practice role for the first time is confronted with a broad range and scope of physical, intellectual, emotional, developmental and sociocultural changes that are expressions of, and mitigating factors within the experience of transition.

Data sources.  This paper offers cumulative knowledge gained from a programme of research spanning the last 10 years and four qualitative studies on new graduate transition.

Discussion.  New nurses often identify their initial professional adjustment in terms of the feelings of anxiety, insecurity, inadequacy and instability it produces. The Transition Shock© theory offered focuses on the aspects of the new graduate’s roles, responsibilities, relationship and knowledge that both mediate the intensity and duration of the transition experience and qualify the early stage of professional role transition for the new nursing graduate.

Conclusion.  Transition shock reinforces the need for preparatory theory about role transition for senior nursing students and the critical importance of bridging undergraduate educational curricula with escalating workplace expectations. The goal of such knowledge is the successful integration of new nursing professionals into the stressful and highly dynamic context of professional practice.
The transcriptome of syncytia induced by the cyst nematode Heterodera schachtii in Arabidopsis roots
Authors: Szakasits Dagmar , Heinen Petra , Wieczorek Krzysztof , Hofmann Julia , Wagner Florian , Kreil David P. , Sykacek Peter , Grundler Florian M. W. , Bohlmann Holger
Published: December 2008

Arabidopsis thaliana is a host for the sugar beet cyst nematode Heterodera schachtii. Juvenile nematodes invade the roots and induce the development of a syncytium, which functions as a feeding site for the nematode. Here, we report on the transcriptome of syncytia induced in the roots of Arabidopsis. Microaspiration was employed to harvest pure syncytium material, which was then used to prepare RNA for hybridization to Affymetrix GeneChips. Initial data analysis showed that the gene expression in syncytia at 5 and 15 days post‐infection did not differ greatly, and so both time points were compared together with control roots. Out of a total of 21 138 genes, 18.4% (3893) had a higher expression level and 15.8% (3338) had a lower expression level in syncytia, as compared with control roots, using a multiple‐testing corrected false discovery rate of below 5%. A gene ontology (GO) analysis of up‐ and downregulated genes showed that categories related to high metabolic activity were preferentially upregulated. A principal component analysis was applied to compare the transcriptome of syncytia with the transcriptome of different Arabidopsis organs (obtained by the AtGenExpress project), and with specific root tissues. This analysis revealed that syncytia are transcriptionally clearly different from roots (and all other organs), as well as from other root tissues.
Shear stress modulates the thickness and architecture of Candida albicans biofilms in a phase‐dependent manner
Authors: Mukherjee Pranab K. , Chand David V. , Chandra Jyotsna , Anderson James M. , Ghannoum Mahmoud A.
Published: December 2008

Biofilm formation plays an integral role in catheter‐associated bloodstream infections caused by Candida albicans. Biofilms formed on catheters placed intravenously are exposed to shear stress caused by blood flow. In this study, we investigated whether shear stress affects the ability of C. albicans to form biofilms. Candida biofilms were formed on catheter discs and exposed to physiological levels of shear stress using a rotating disc system (RDS). Control biofilms were grown under conditions of no flow. Tetrazolium (XTT) assay and dry weight (DW) measurements were used to quantify metabolic activity and biofilm mass respectively. Confocal scanning laser microscopy (CSLM) was used to evaluate architecture and biofilm thickness. After 90 min, cells attached under no‐flow exhibited significantly greater XTT activity and DW than those under shear. However, by 24 h, biofilms formed under both conditions had similar XTT activities and DW. Interestingly, thickness of biofilms formed under no‐flow was significantly greater after 24 h than of those formed under shear stress, demonstrating that shear exposure results in thinner, but denser biofilms. These studies suggest that biofilm architecture is modulated by shear in a phase‐dependent manner.
Antifungal activities of compounds isolated from Piper abutiloides Kunth
Authors: Johann S. , Cota B. B. , Souza‐Fagundes E. M. , Pizzolatti M. G. , Resende M. A. , Zani C. L.
Published: December 2008

Piperaceae is a family of tropical plants known to have antifungal, antibacterial, tumour‐inhibitory, antiviral, antioxidant, molluscicidal and leishmanicidal activities. In this work, extracts and fractions from aerial parts of Piper abutiloides (Piperaceae), a traditional medicinal plant, were evaluated against the fungal species Candida albicans, C. parapsilosis, C. krusei, C. glabrata, C. tropicalis, Cryptococcus neoformans and Sporothrix schenckii. The results have shown that the antifungal activity of this plant can be concentrated in the hexanic fraction after partitioning its hydroalcoholic extract between hexane and 90% aqueous methanol. The chromatographic fractionation of the bioactive part was monitored with a bioautographic assay using C. glabrata, and allowed the isolation of three antifungal compounds: pseudodillapiol, eupomatenoid‐6 and conocarpan. These compounds presented different potencies against the fungi tested, with the strongest effect being observed for eupomatenoid‐6 against C. glabrata, which presented a minimal inhibitory concentration value of 0.3 μg spot−1. Conocarpan showed antifungal activity without apparent cytotoxic effect on normal human lymphocytes, as assessed by the proliferation assay with human peripheral blood mononuclear cells stimulated with phytohaemaglutinin. This work reveals for the first time the occurrence of these compounds in P. abutiloides and justifies further studies to clarify their mechanisms of action.
Debiased Estimation of Proportions in Group Testing
Authors: Hepworth Graham , Watson Ray
Published: December 2008

In the assessment of disease, estimation of the proportion of infected units in a population can sometimes be facilitated by pooling units into groups for testing. Such group testing was used in a study of virus infection levels in carnation plants grown in glasshouses. In group testing problems, the maximum likelihood estimator is a biased estimator of the population proportion. We investigate the bias of the maximum likelihood estimator when testing groups of different size, using fixed and sequential procedures. The possibility of obtaining all positive groups contributes substantially to the bias. Analytical methods are shown to correct the bias for fixed procedures satisfactorily. For sequential procedures, with their uneven bias patterns, we propose a numerical method of correction which produces an almost unbiased estimator.
Hierarchical Bayesian Markov Switching Models with Application to Predicting Spawning Success of Shovelnose Sturgeon
Authors: Holan Scott H. , Davis Ginger M. , Wildhaber Mark L. , DeLonay Aaron J. , Papoulias Diana M.
Published: December 2008

The timing of spawning in fish is tightly linked to environmental factors; however, these factors are not very well understood for many species. Specifically, little information is available to guide recruitment efforts for endangered species such as the sturgeon. Therefore, we propose a Bayesian hierarchical model for predicting the success of spawning of the shovelnose sturgeon which uses both biological and behavioural (longitudinal) data. In particular, we use data that were produced from a tracking study that was conducted in the Lower Missouri River. The data that were produced from this study consist of biological variables associated with readiness to spawn along with longitudinal behavioural data collected by using telemetry and archival data storage tags. These high frequency data are complex both biologically and in the underlying behavioural process. To accommodate such complexity we developed a hierarchical linear regression model that uses an eigenvalue predictor, derived from the transition probability matrix of a two-state Markov switching model with generalized auto-regressive conditional heteroscedastic dynamics. Finally, to minimize the computational burden that is associated with estimation of this model, a parallel computing approach is proposed.
Social Representations: The Beautiful Invention
Authors: JODELET DENISE
Published: December 2008

Psychoanalysis: Its Image and Its Publicis a perfect illustration of Tarde's claim that ‘beautiful’ should be reserved for ideas that lead to a discovery of more ideas and to an invention that we can judge as fruitful for the future. The article examines the influence of the book in geographical, historical and scientific contexts and traces the development and diffusion of the theory of social representations throughout four periods. The article highlights the difference between the first edition in 1961, and the second one in 1976, and it examines the development of Moscovici's ideas over time. The first edition of Psychoanalysis, based on the criticism of sociology of knowledge, underlines common sense as a new object of study, attempting to capture complex social phenomena. It shows common sense as a legitimate object of study that interweaves social, cultural and individual dimensions in the constitution of social reality. The 1976 edition emphasises that language and communication and its role in the theory of social knowledge. The book has had manifold impact on new areas of study. An overview of international research in social representations shows how this work has inspired scholars all over the world, has lead to creating Schools of research and to innovative proposals not only in terms of domains that have been studied but also in terms of theoretical models and methodological concerns.
C1 metabolism and chlorophyll synthesis: the Mg‐protoporphyrin IX methyltransferase activity is dependent on the folate status
Authors: Van Wilder Valérie , De Brouwer Veerle , Loizeau Karen , Gambonnet Bernadette , Albrieux Catherine , Van Der Straeten Dominique , Lambert Willy E. , Douce Roland , Block Maryse A. , Rebeille Fabrice , Ravanel Stéphane
Published: December 2008

DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-8137.2009.02790.xCommentary p 3
Pollination and plant defence traits co‐vary in Western AustralianHakeas
Authors: Hanley Mick E. , Lamont Byron B. , Armbruster W. Scott
Published: December 2008

DOI:10.1111/j.1469-8137.2009.02788.xCommentary p 5
Fifty‐five‐million‐year history of oceanic subduction and exhumation at the northern edge of the Caribbean plate (Sierra del Convento mélange, Cuba)
Authors: LÁZARO C. , GARCÍA‐CASCO A. , ROJAS AGRAMONTE Y. , KRÖNER A. , NEUBAUER F. , ITURRALDE‐VINENT M.
Published: December 2008

Petrological and geochronological data of six representative samples of exotic blocks of amphibolite and associated tonalite‐trondhjemite from the serpentinitic mélange of the Sierra del Convento (eastern Cuba) indicate counterclockwiseP–Tpaths typical of material subducted in hot and young subduction zones. Peak conditions attained were ∼750 °C and 15 kbar, consistent with the generation of tonalitic partial melts observed in amphibolite. A tonalite boulder provides a U‐Pb zircon crystallization age of 112.8 ± 1.1 Ma, and Ar/Ar amphibole dating yielded two groups of cooling ages of 106–97 Ma (interpreted as cooling of metamorphic/magmatic pargasite) and 87–83 Ma (interpreted as growth/cooling of retrograde overprints). These geochronological data, in combination with other published data, allow the following history of subduction and exhumation to be established in the region: (i) a stage of hot subduction 120–115 Ma, developed upon onset of subduction; (ii) relatively fast near‐isobaric cooling (25 °C Myr−1) 115–107 Ma, after accretion of the blocks to the upper plate lithospheric mantle; (iii) slow syn‐subduction cooling (4 °C Myr−1) and exhumation (0.7 km Myr−1) in the subduction channel 107–70 Ma; and (iv) fast syn‐collision cooling (74 °C Myr−1) and exhumation (5 km Myr−1) 70–60 Ma.
Life history phenology differences between southern and northern populations of the apple maggot fly, Rhagoletis pomonella
Authors: Lyons‐Sobaski Sheila , Berlocher Stewart H.
Published: December 2008

The textbook version of sympatric host race formation in Rhagoletis pomonella (Walsh) (Diptera: Tephritidae) features an ancestral hawthorn‐infesting race and a derived apple race differing in life‐history timing and response to host fruit odor. However, previous research has focused largely on northeastern North America. To investigate life‐history timing in poorly studied southeastern North American populations with very diverse hosts, we performed common garden experiments on emergence time on six southern R. pomonella populations and four other R. pomonella species‐group populations. Findings were: (1) the diverse adult emergence times of southern populations resulted largely from genetic differences; (2) some southern populations had bimodal emergence curves; (3) correlations of allozyme markers and emergence times were uncommon in southern populations; and (4) mean emergence times from common garden rearings and dates of field collection of the populations were strongly correlated.
Influence of psychotherapist density and antidepressant sales on suicide rates
Authors: Kapusta N. D. , Niederkrotenthaler T. , Etzersdorfer E. , Voracek M. , Dervic K. , Jandl‐Jager E. , Sonneck G.
Published: December 2008

Objective:  Antidepressant sales and suicide rates have been shown to be correlated in industrialized countries. The aim was to study the possible effects of psychotherapy utilization on suicide rates.

Method:  We assessed the impact of antidepressant sales and psychotherapist density on suicide rates between 1991 and 2005. To adjust for serial correlation in time series, three first‐order autoregressive models adjusted for per capita alcohol consumption and unemployment rates were employed.

Results:  Antidepressant sales and the density of psychotherapists in the population were negatively associated with suicide rates.

Conclusion:  This study provides evidence that decreasing suicide rates were associated with both increasing antidepressant sales and an increasing density of psychotherapists. The decrease of suicide rates could reflect a general improvement in mental health care rather than being caused by antidepressant sales or psychotherapist density alone.
Neurocognitive functions in euthymic bipolar patients
Authors: Jamrozinski K. , Gruber O. , Kemmer C. , Falkai P. , Scherk H.
Published: December 2008

Objective:  Meta‐analytic findings support the hypothesis of specific neurocognitive deficits for bipolar patients in the domains of attention, processing speed, memory and executive functions. This study aims to show neurocognitive impairment in euthymic patients with bipolar I disorder compared with healthy controls while detailing the impact of medication side‐effects or illness characteristics on neuropsychological test performance.

Method:  Forty euthymic patients with bipolar I disorder were compared with 40 healthy controls in a cross‐sectional design. Clinical features and neuropsychological measures of IQ, psychomotor speed, verbal fluency, learning and memory, executive functions and attention were assessed.

Results:  Patients without antipsychotic drug use did not differ significantly from healthy controls in any neuropsychological measure. Yet patients treated with antipsychotics showed significant underperformance in the domains of semantic fluency, verbal learning and recognition memory as well as executive functions related to planning abilities, even when clinical features were controlled for.

Conclusion:  The impact of antipsychotic medication needs to be further clarified for euthymic bipolar patients and should be considered when neuropsychological test performance is interpreted.
The Use of Dental Implants in Combination with Removable Partial Dentures. A Case Report
Authors: CHRONOPOULOS VASSILIOS , SARAFIANOU ASPASIA , KOURTIS STEFANOS
Published: December 2008

Implant treatment protocols for fully edentulous patients include implant‐supported fixed restorations with a minimum of five to six implants or overdentures on two to four implants. However, implant placement in the posterior areas is sometimes not permitted by anatomic and/or financial restraints, or patients’ unwillingness to have extensive surgical procedures.

The purpose of this case report is to present a treatment option where bilateral distal extension removable partial dentures (RPDs) are used in combination with anterior fixed implant prostheses with semi‐precision attachments.

The initial treatment plan of a 65‐year‐old female with failing dentition involved the fabrication of overdentures supported by four implants placed in the interforaminal area in both arches. Because of inadequate space for the retentive elements of the overdenture and the patient's objection to surgical procedures for the placement of additional implants to support a fixed restoration, the treatment plan was modified. Fixed ceramometal cement‐retained implant restorations with semi‐precision attachments adjacent to the distal abutments were fabricated in the maxilla and the mandible. Bilateral distal extension RPDs were placed in both arches. The patient's benefits were increased comfort, good esthetics in the anterior area, improved phonetics, and masticatory function. Retentive element maintenance requirements were similar to conventional RPDs. More extended controlled clinical studies are needed to establish the long‐term success of this treatment option.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Removable partial dentures may offer an attractive treatment option for an edentulous patient, as they may combine an FPD in the anterior segment with a removable appliance in the posterior areas. A satisfying restoration can be achieved with fewer implants.
Reproducibility of the Pink Esthetic Score—Rating Soft Tissue Esthetics Around Single‐Implant Restorations with Regard to Dental Observer Specialization
Authors: GEHRKE PETER , LOBERT MARKUS , DHOM GÜNTER
Published: December 2008

Purpose:  The pink esthetic score (PES) evaluates the esthetic outcome of soft tissue around implant‐supported single crowns in the anterior zone by awarding seven points for the mesial and distal papilla, soft‐tissue level, soft‐tissue contour, soft‐tissue color, soft‐tissue texture, and alveolar process deficiency. The aim of this study was to measure the reproducibility of the PES and assess the influence exerted by the examiner's degree of dental specialization.

Materials and Methods:  Fifteen examiners (three general dentists, three oral maxillofacial surgeons, three orthodontists, three postgraduate students in implant dentistry, and three lay people) applied the PES to 30 implant‐supported single restorations twice at an interval of 4 weeks. Using a 0–1–2 scoring system, 0 being the lowest, 2 being the highest value, the maximum achievable PES was 14. At the second assessment, the photographs were scored in reverse order. Differences between the two assessments were evaluated with the Spearman's rank correlation coefficient (R). The Wilcoxon signed‐rank test was used for comparisons of differences between the ratings. A significance level of p < 0.05 was chosen for both tests.

Results:  Observer results indicated that the agreement between the first and second rating for all occupational groups was 70.5%, with a broad correlation between the two ratings and a high statistical significance (Spearman's R = 0.58, p = 0; Wilcoxon T = 163,182, Z = 3.383599, p = 0.000716). The most agreement between the first and second rating was obtained by orthodontists with 73.5% (R = 0.67), and the least by lay people 65.9% (R = 0.50). Very poor and very esthetic restorations showed the smallest deviations. Orthodontists were found to have assigned significantly poorer ratings than any other group. The assessment of postgraduate students and laypersons were the most favorable.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

The PES allows for a more objective appraisal of the esthetic short‐ and long‐term results of various surgical and prosthetic implant procedures. It reproducibly evaluates the peri‐implant soft tissue around single‐implant restorations and results in good intra‐examiner agreement. However, an effect of observer specialization on rating soft‐tissue esthetics can be shown.
Athletics at the Beijing Olympics: How Much Faster Can Anyone Run?
Authors: Hilbe Joseph
Published: December 2008

Record after record was broken at the Beijing Olympic Games. Some were truly shattered. But how much faster can a man or a woman run and swim? How much further can a human being jump?Joseph Hilbe examines the forecasts.
How many Katrinas? Predicting the Number of Hurricanes Striking the USA
Authors: O'Hagan Tony , Ward Bob , Coughlin Katie
Published: December 2008

Hurricane Katrina dealt a savage blow to New Orleans. This year Hurricane Gustav threatened a repetition. How many Katrinas will strike in future? As yet another hurricane approached, intuition and science came together in a grey room to try to find out. Tony O'Hagan, Bob Ward and Katie Coughlin report.
Carbon Labelling: Too Complex or will it Transform Our Buying?
Authors: Boardman Brenda
Published: December 2008

In January 2007, Sir Terry Leahy, Chief Executive of Tesco, made a surprise announcement: Tesco intend to put carbon labels on all their products. The hope is that consumers will be able to judge the impact on the environment of what they buy. But Tesco stock 70 000 products. Can it be done? And, if so, how?Brenda Boardman looks at the challenges.
What's in a Name? The Frequency and Geographic Distributions of UK Surnames
Authors: McElduff Fiona , Mateos Pablo , Wade Angie , Borja Mario Cortina
Published: December 2008

Are you a Smith, a Featherstonehaugh-Cholomondely-Warnock or a Begum? Your surname can reveal the social history of where you live. Fiona McElduff, Pablo Mateos, Angie Wade and Mario Cortina Borja investigate.
Expression levels of aminopeptidase‐N genes in the lightbrown apple moth, Epiphyas postvittana
Authors: Simpson Robert M. , Poulton Joanne , Markwick Ngaire P.
Published: December 2008

Five aminopeptidase‐N genes (EpAPN1‐5) of the tortricid moth Epiphyas postvittana have been isolated from a midgut expressed sequence tag (EST) library. Relative RNA expression of these genes was measured by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction using actin as a reference gene. Measurements were made on various tissues of fifth instar larvae, over all stages of the life cycle and under differing dietary conditions: different protein sources and levels, and in presence of trypsin and metalloprotease inhibitors. Gene expression for all five genes was the greatest in midgut tissue, but was also detected in the hindgut, fat body and Malpighian tubules. EpAPN4 was consistently the highest expressed, with EpAPN3 at about half that level; EpAPN5 was the least expressed. During larval stages expression was high, generally increasing over the instars, after an early peak as neonates or first instars. Expression in other life stages was much lower. Males and females showed differing expression in the pupal and adult stages: female expression was higher in the pupa, this reversed in the adult. Gene expression levels and ratios both changed with diet. A natural apple leaf diet depressed levels. Diets with the most impaired amino acid balance induced the greatest change; generally EpAPN1 increased by the greatest proportion. The addition of proteinase inhibitor also increased gene expression, and it was noteworthy that the trypsin inhibitor addition, which has been shown to double aminopeptidase activity, also doubled levels of gene expression.
Ferritin acts as a target site for the snowdrop lectin (GNA) in the midgut of the cotton leafworm Spodoptera littoralis
Authors: Sadeghi Amin , Smagghe Guy , Proost Paul , Van Damme Els J.M.
Published: December 2008

The snowdrop lectin GNA (Galanthus nivalis agglutinin) has been shown to possess insecticidal activity to a range of economically important insect pests. However, the precise mechanism of insecticidal action of GNA against insects remains unknown. In this investigation, we attempted to purify and identify receptor(s) responsible for binding of GNA in the larval midgut of a major lepidopteran pest (the cotton leafworm, Spodoptera littoralis) to better understand its mode of action. Therefore, cytoplasmic as well as membrane proteins from 800 larval midguts were chromatographed on a column with immobilized GNA. Sodium dodecyl sulfate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis of the proteins eluted from the GNA column followed by sequencing of the GNA‐binding proteins and BLAST analyses revealed that the N‐terminal sequences of a 24 kDa polypeptide purified from the cytoplasmic and membrane protein fraction revealed sequence similarity to sequences encoding heavy chain homologs of ferritin from Manduca sexta (76% sequence identity), Calpodes ethlius (80% sequence identity) and Bombyx mori (61% sequence identity). Furthermore, the N‐terminal sequence of a 31 kDa polypeptide from the membrane protein fraction showed sequence similarity to a light chain homolog of ferritin from Manduca sexta (88% sequence identity).
Effects of methamidophos and deltamethrin on in vitro protein phosphorylation in Monochamus alternatus
Authors: Liu Jie , Gao Xi‐Wu , Wu Yi‐Jun , Li Wei , Qin Qi‐Lian , Sun Jiang‐Hua
Published: December 2008

Monochamus alternatus Hope (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) is not only a serious pest insect to pine trees but also the main vector of pine wood nemadote Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, which causes pine wilt disease. To explore the insecticidal mechanism of insecticides to M. alternatus, we chose methamidophos and deltamethrin as the representatives of two groups of insecticides (organophosphates and pyrethroids), which are widely used for pest control in China and investigated their effects on phosphorylation of proteins from the insect. Phosphorylation of proteins from the insect fat body and head was determined by in vitro32P‐labelling. In the fat body, deltamethrin obviously reduced basal phosphorylation levels of proteins at 111, 95, 77, and 44 kDa, but enhanced the basal phosphorylation level of a protein at 138 kDa. However, in the presence of calmodulin but not cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), deltamethrin increased phosphorylation of the protein at 111 kDa. In the head, deltamethrin inhibited basal phosphorylation levels of proteins at 113, 98, and 51 kDa, but potentiated phosphorylation of a protein at 167 kDa activated by cAMP. Methamidophos inhibited phosphorylation of a protein at 44 kDa in the fat body. Although methamidophos did not impact basal phosphorylation levels of any proteins in the head, it inhibited calcium/calmodulin (Ca2+/CaM)‐stimulated phosphorylation of a protein at 51 kDa. Together, our data indicate that methamidophos and deltamethrin altered phosphorylation levels of various proteins in the head and fat body of the pine insect and these two kinds of insecticides acted on the proteins that can be phosphorylated in the tissues respectively, which is possibly related to their toxicity.
Biology and life table studies of the oriental tobacco budworm, Helicoverpa assulta (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), influenced by different larval diets
Authors: Wang Kai‐Yun , Zhang Yong , Wang Hong‐Yan , Xia Xiao‐Ming , Liu Tong‐Xian
Published: December 2008

Development, survivorship, pupal weight, oviposition, and life table parameters of the oriental tobacco budworm, Helicoverpa assulta Guenée, were evaluated in the laboratory on an artificial diet, pepper (Capsicum frutescens L.), and tobacco (Nicotiana tobacum L.). We found that the average developmental time of immature stages was longest on tobacco (36.2 d), intermediate on pepper (34.4 d), and shortest on artificial diet (33.5 d). Immature survival from egg to pupa varied from 31% on tobacco, 43% on pepper, and 74% on artificial diet. Pupal weight ranged from 197.4 mg/pupa on tobacco, 233.1 mg/pupa on pepper and 253.4 mg/pupa on artificial diet. The average numbers of eggs laid by adults reared as larvae on the artificial diet, pepper, or tobacco were 614, 421 and 334 eggs/female, respectively. Numbers of remaining eggs in ovaries of the adult females reared as larvae on the artificial diet, pepper, or tobacco were 16, 26, and 42 eggs/female, respectively. The longevity of adult females developed from larvae reared on the three diets was not significantly different, whereas the longevity of male adults from the larvae reared on artificial diet was longer (16.8 d) than that for males reared on tobacco (13.8 d) and pepper (13.3 d). The intrinsic, finite, gross, and net rates of increase were highest for females reared as larvae on artificial diet, lowest for females emerging from larvae reared on tobacco, and intermediate for females emerging from larvae reared on pepper. Generation times and doubling time of H. assulta were shortest for larvae fed artificial diet, intermediate from larvae reared on pepper, and longest from larvae reared on tobacco. We concluded that the artificial diet was the most suitable larval diet of H. assulta followed by pepper, and tobacco.
AN ISOLATED CARBONATE BANK IN THE ZECHSTEIN MAIN DOLOMITE BASIN, WESTERN POLAND
Authors: Peryt T. M. , Dyjaczyński K.
Published: December 2008

Isolated carbonate banks in starved basins are very attractive targets for hydrocarbon prospecting. In the Zechstein (Late Permian) Main Dolomite (Ca2) Basin of Western Poland, six such banks or isolated platforms have been penetrated by wells, and gas and/or oil has been found in all of them. The largest is the Chartów Platform, which lies a few tens of kilometres from the edge of the carbonate shelf, and shows well‐defined facies zonation. Three shallowing‐upward cycles may be distinguished in the bank‐edge sands, while the central (lagoonal) region and lower slope show a single deepening‐upward sequence. Local rapid subsidence, usually balanced by the rate of deposition, is inferred for the edge of the Chartów Platform; this subsidence was not balanced in other zones.

The driving force for increased local subsidence may have been related to subtle block movements, and the break‐up of the PZ1 (Werra) evaporite platform. The rate of increased subsidence fluctuated; pulses of relatively rapid subsidence disturb the sequence, which was controlled by sea‐level fluctuations.

Differential subsidence and sea‐level changes are common during the evolution of evaporite basins, and isolated platforms similar to the Chartów structure may be common in other evaporite basins, where isolated banks are located between the central and marginal areas.