bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Time series analysis of climate‐related factors and their impact on a red‐listed noble crayfish population in northern Sweden
Authors: ZIMMERMAN JENNY KARIN MARTINA , PALO ROLF THOMAS
Published: March 2012

1. Global climate change is predicted to raise water temperatures and alter flow regimes in northern river systems. Climate‐related factors might have profound impacts on survival, reproduction and distribution of freshwater species such as red‐listed noble crayfish (Astacus astacus) in its northern limit of distribution.

2. In this study, noble crayfish capture data over 27 years from the River Ljungan, Sweden, were examined. Time series of catch per unit effort (CPUE) were analysed in relation to the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) index, regional weather factors and water flow. CPUE was assumed to reflect differences in population size. Two models were constructed to explore the relative impact of different climate factors and density dependence on variability of catch sizes.

3. The most parsimonious model for CPUE time series, explaining 72% of the variance in CPUE, included density‐dependent population dynamics of the crayfish and climate or weather factors. The specific effect from density dependence in the model was 37%, while climate/weather factors contributed with 35% of the variation. The most important climate/weather factors are variations in NAO index and water flow. Temperature did not improve the model fit to capture data.

4. The best model was evaluated using independent data sets that gave correlations between model predictions and data ranging from 0.44 to 0.53. The density dependence shows a time lag of 1 year, while climate variables show time lags from 2 to 6 years in relation to CPUE, indicating effects on different cohorts of the crayfish population.

5. Both density dependence and climatic factors play a significant role in population fluctuations of noble crayfish. A 6‐year time lag for NAO index is puzzling but indicates that some as yet unidentified factors related to NAO might act on the juvenile stages of the population. Water flow shows a 2‐year lag to the CPUE, and high flow in the river may affect adult survival. The reasons for fluctuation of crayfish catches in response to climate need to be identified, and fishing quotas should consider the different cohort sizes because of variation in environment. Reintroduction programmes for crayfish need to consider effects of climate change when designing management strategies.
Omphacite—a mineral under pressure!
Authors: McNamara David D.
Published: March 2012

The mineral omphacite is one of the primary constituents of eclogite facies (high pressure, high temperature) rocks. It commonly acts as the framework supporting mineral in eclogite facies rocks found in subduction and collision zones. As such this mineral is under pressure, from geologists, to provide insights into how eclogite facies rocks deform and metamorphically evolve. These insights, which are a key factor in omphacite studies, have implications for our understanding of the processes operating throughout the evolution of mountain building events.
Greater impacts of wind farms on bird populations during construction than subsequent operation: results of a multi‐site and multi‐species analysis
Authors: Pearce‐Higgins James W. , Stephen Leigh , Douse Andy , Langston Rowena H. W.
Published: March 2012

1. There has been a rapid increase in the development of renewable energy because of the need to combat climate change. One of the most widely used technologies has been onshore wind farms. These have the potential to affect birds through disturbance or collision, but the extent to which such developments cause general population declines, and therefore are of wider conservation concern, remains largely untested.

2. Monitoring data from wind farms located on unenclosed upland habitats in the UK were collated to test whether breeding densities of upland birds were reduced as a result of wind farm construction or during wind farm operation.

3. Data were available for ten species although none were raptors. Red grouse Lagopus lagopus scoticus, snipe Gallinago gallinago and curlew Numenius arquata densities all declined on wind farms during construction. Red grouse densities recovered after construction, but snipe and curlew densities did not. Post‐construction curlew densities on wind farms were also significantly lower than reference sites. Conversely, densities of skylark Alauda arvensis and stonechat Saxicola torquata increased on wind farms during construction.

4. There was little evidence for consistent post‐construction population declines in any species, suggesting for the first time that wind farm construction can have greater impacts upon birds than wind farm operation.

5. The impacts of wind farms were largely unaffected by technical specifications (turbine height, number or total generating power) and therefore are widely applicable.

6. Synthesis and applications. This study confirms that regulatory authorities and developers should particularly consider the likely impacts of wind farms on large waders. Greater weight should be given to the effects of construction on wildlife in impact assessments than at present. Mitigation measures during construction, including restricting construction activity to non‐breeding periods, should be considered and tested as a means to reduce these negative effects.
The scientific basis for establishing solubility criteria for veterinary species
Authors: MARTINEZ M. N. , FAHMY R.
Published: March 2012

Martinez, M. N., Fahmy, R. The scientific basis for establishing solubility criteria for veterinary species. J. vet. Pharmacol. Therap. 35 (Suppl. 1), 81–86.

The relationship between factors influencing the in vitro and in vivo drug solubilization is highly dependent upon the physiology of the individual animal species and the physico‐chemical properties of the drug. The solubilization of a drug in an aqueous medium is controlled by the strength of the interaction between a molecule of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) and the molecules of the solvent. In this regard, the stronger this interaction, the greater the likelihood that the drug will go into solution. Counteracting this solubilization process is the strength of the affinity of the solute for itself, or how tightly bound the compound is to its own solid state form. The stronger affinity of a solute for itself, the more difficult it will be for that molecule to go into solubility. However, solubility is not a universal value. Rather, it should be considered from the perspective of the interactions between the API in its solid form and the solution conditions such as: pH, the nature of the primary solvent, the presence of co‐solvents, the presence of solubilizing additives, the ionic strength of the medium, incubation time, and temperature. Each of these factors needs to be considered when evaluating potential interspecies differences in drug solubility.
How do you define equivalence of the API of biomass products?
Authors: HUNTER R. P. , DeRIDDER E. , LUCAS A. , SMEDLEY K. O. , YORDY D. W.
Published: March 2012

Hunter R. P., DeRidder E., Lucas A., Smedley K. O., Yordy D. W. How do you define equivalence of the API of biomass products? J. vet. Pharmacol. Therap.35 (Suppl. 1), 99–101.
Understanding age‐specific dispersal in fishes through hydrodynamic modelling, genetic simulations and microsatellite DNA analysis
Authors: BERRY OLIVER , ENGLAND PHILLIP , MARRIOTT ROSS J. , BURRIDGE CHRISTOPHER P. , NEWMAN STEPHEN J.
Published: March 2012

Many marine species have vastly different capacities for dispersal during larval, juvenile and adult life stages, and this has the potential to complicate the identification of population boundaries and the implementation of effective management strategies such as marine protected areas. Genetic studies of population structure and dispersal rarely disentangle these differences and usually provide only lifetime‐averaged information that can be considered by managers. We address this limitation by combining age‐specific autocorrelation analysis of microsatellite genotypes, hydrodynamic modelling and genetic simulations to reveal changes in the extent of dispersal during the lifetime of a marine fish. We focus on an exploited coral reef species, Lethrinus nebulosus, which has a circum‐tropical distribution and is a key component of a multispecies fishery in northwestern Australia. Conventional population genetic analyses revealed extensive gene flow in this species over vast distances (up to 1500 km). Yet, when realistic adult dispersal behaviours were modelled, they could not account for these observations, implying adult dispersal does not dominate gene flow. Instead, hydrodynamic modelling showed that larval L. nebulosus are likely to be transported hundreds of kilometres, easily accounting for the observed gene flow. Despite the vast scale of larval transport, juvenile L. nebulosus exhibited fine‐scale genetic autocorrelation, which declined with age. This implies both larval cohesion and extremely limited juvenile dispersal prior to maturity. The multidisciplinary approach adopted in this study provides a uniquely comprehensive insight into spatial processes in this marine fish.
Epidemiological aspects of non‐human antibiotic usage and resistance: implications for the control of antibiotic resistance in Ghana
Authors: Donkor Eric S. , Newman Mercy J. , Yeboah‐Manu Dorothy
Published: March 2012

Objectives  To provide insights into the epidemiology of antibiotic usage in animal husbandry in Ghana and its effect on resistance.

Methods  Three hundred and ninety‐five randomly sampled commercial livestock keepers who practised intensive or extensive farming were interviewed about their antibiotic usage practices using a structured questionnaire. Escherichia coli isolated from stool specimens of farmers and their animals were tested against eight antibiotics using the Kirby Bauer method.

Results  Ninety‐eight percent (387) of the farmers used antibiotics on animals and the main purpose was to prevent infections in animals; 41% applied antibiotics monthly. The overall prevalence of multiple drug resistance among the E. coli isolates was 91.6%; rates in human and animal isolates were 70.6% and 97.7%, respectively. The prevalence of resistance in animal isolates to the various drugs ranged from 60.8% (amikacin) to 95.7% (ampicillin); the prevalence of resistance in human isolates to the drugs ranged from 2% (cefuroxime) to 94.1% (gentamicin). Animal E. coli isolates showed higher resistance than that of human isolates for five of eight drugs tested.

Conclusion  It is concluded that antibiotic usage in animal husbandry in Ghana is more driven by the interest of livestock keepers to prevent and treat animal infections than growth enhancement. Both animal and human E. coli showed high levels of antibiotic resistance, although resistance of animal isolates appeared to be higher than that of humans. There is the need for the development of an antibiotic‐resistance management programme in Ghana that will focus simultaneously on human and animal use of antibiotics.
Rural electrification in Brazil and implications for schistosomiasis transmission: a preliminary study in a rural community in Minas Gerais State, Brazil
Authors: Kloos Helmut , Quites Humberto F.O. , Oliveira Rodrigo Corrêa , LoVerde Phil , Gazzinelli Andrea
Published: March 2012

Objectives  To evaluate the potential transmission of Schistosoma mansoni through well water pumped into households in a rural Brazilian community within the context of Brazil’s rural electrification program Luz Para Todos (Light for All).

Methods  All households were interviewed about their water facilities and domestic water use, all household members were examined for S. mansoni infections and positives treated, and malacological and water contact studies were performed between 2001 and 2009.

Results  Thirty‐one of the 142 households in the Virgem das Graças study area owned wells with electric pumps in 2009, vs. no wells in 2001, and the number of water storage tanks increased from 85 to 131. The potential for schistosomiasis transmission through piped well water was indicated by the recovery of Biomphalaria gabrata, including S. mansoni‐infected snails, from wells, the presence of Biomphalaria in tanks and the ability of S. mansoni cercariae to remain infective for considerable distances in flowing water. However, access to well water was not associated with higher S. mansoni infection rates.

Conclusions  Our results indicate that further studies are needed to determine the infectivity of well water and its impact on schistosomiasis transmission.
Assessing the validity of an ELISA test for the serological diagnosis of human fascioliasis in different epidemiological situations
Authors: Adela Valero M. , Victoria Periago M. , Pérez‐Crespo Ignacio , Rodríguez Esperanza , Jesús Perteguer M. , Gárate Teresa , González‐Barberá Eva M. , Mas‐Coma Santiago
Published: March 2012

Objectives  To improve the diagnosis of human fascioliasis caused by Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica, we evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), with Fasciola antigen from the adult liver fluke, for the detection of IgG against fascioliasis in human sera.

Methods  The sera of 54 fascioliasis cases, originating from three endemic areas, were used in this evaluation: (i) a hyperendemic F. hepatica area where humans usually shed a great number of parasite eggs in faeces (11 sera); (ii) an epidemic F. hepatica area where humans usually shed small amounts of parasite eggs (24 sera) and (iii) an overlap area of both Fasciola species and where human shedding of parasite eggs in faeces is usually scarce or non‐existent (19 sera). One hundred and sixty‐eight patients with other parasitic infections and 89 healthy controls were also analysed.

Results  The respective sensitivity and specificity of this assay were 95.3% (95% confidence intervals, 82.9–99.2%) and 95.7% (95% confidence intervals, 92.3–97.5%). No correlation between egg output and the OD450 values of the F. hepatica IgG ELISA test was observed.

Conclusions  This test could be used both as an individual serodiagnostic test for human fascioliasis when backed up by a compatible clinical history together with a second diagnostic technique for other cross‐reactive helminth infections, and in large‐scale epidemiological studies of human fascioliasis worldwide.
Oxidative stress in inflammation‐based gastrointestinal tract diseases: Challenges and opportunities
Authors: Kim Yoon Jae , Kim Eun‐Hee , Hahm Ki Baik
Published: March 2012

Oxygen free radicals in excessively high amounts are all very reactive chemically and can impose a detrimental influence on living organisms by provoking “oxidative stress” that can damage major cellular constituents. The latter includes the cell membrane, cytoplasmic proteins, and nuclear DNA. Conversely, nitric oxide (NO), superoxide anion, and related reactive oxygen species (ROS) when present in low amounts play an important role as regulatory mediators in signaling processes, through which, paradoxically, many ROS‐mediated responses can protect the cells against oxidative stress by induction of “redox homeostasis.” Therefore, diseases associated with free radical overproduction are provoked by “blazed ROS productions” far beyond the host's capacity to quench. Free radicals have been implicated in the pathogenesis of diverse gastrointestinal (GI) diseases including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gastritis, enteritis, colitis and associated cancers as well as pancreatitis and liver cirrhosis. This article provides an overview of the role of oxidative stress in inflammation‐based GI tract diseases, including reflux esophagitis, Helicobacter pylori‐associated gastritis, non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug‐induced enteritis, ulcerative colitis, and associated colorectal cancer. The challenging issue that ROS can contribute to diverse gastrointestinal dysfunction, or manifest dual roles in cancer promotion or cancer suppression will also be discussed for the opportunity to enhance understanding of inflammation‐based GI diseases.
Segmental changes in smooth muscle contraction as a predictive factor of the response to high‐dose proton pump inhibitor treatment in patients with functional chest pain
Authors: Lee Hyuk , Park Jun Chul , Shin Sung Kwan , Lee Sang Kil , Lee Yong Chan
Published: March 2012

Background and Aims:  High‐dose proton pump inhibitor (PPI) treatment leads to relatively little symptomatic improvement in patients with functional chest pain (FCP). This study was to evaluate the use of smooth muscle segmental changes in esophageal contraction as measured by topographical plots of high resolution manometry (HRM) as predictive factors of the response to high‐dose PPI treatment in FCP patients.

Methods:  Thirty patients diagnosed with FCP were treated with rabeprazole 20 mg twice daily for 2 weeks and classified as positive and negative responders based on symptom intensity score. HRM topographical plots were analyzed for segment lengths, maximal wave amplitudes, and pressure volumes of the proximal and distal smooth muscle segments.

Results:  A positive response was observed in 23.3% of the patients. While the pressure volume of the proximal segment was significantly higher in the positive responders than the negative responders (900.4 ± 91.5 mm Hg/cm per s vs. 780.5 ± 133.3 mm Hg/cm per s, P = 0.017), the pressure volume of the distal segment was significantly lower in the positive responders (1914.0 ± 159.8 mm Hg/cm per s vs. 2140.5 ± 276.2 mm Hg/cm per s, P = 0.014). A prominent shifting in pressure volume to the distal segment was observed in the negative responders compared with the positive responders (segmental ratio of pressure volume (SRPV): 2.9 ± 0.5 vs. 2.1 ± 0.1, P < 0.001), and 2.39 was found to be the SRPV that best differentiated positive and negative responders.

Conclusions:  A low SRPV was associated with a positive response to high‐dose PPI treatment in patients with FCP.
Diagnostic value of diffusion‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging compared with fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography for pancreatic malignancy: A meta‐analysis using a hierarchical regression model
Authors: Wu Lian‐Ming , Hu Jia‐Ni , Hua Jia , Liu Man‐Ju , Chen Jie , Xu Jian‐Rong
Published: March 2012

Background and Aim:  To obtain diagnostic performance of diffusion‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) and fluorine 18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in the detection of pancreatic malignancy.

Methods:  We performed a meta‐analysis of all available studies of the diagnostic performance of DWI and PET/CT for pancreatic malignancy. MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane library and some other databases were searched for initial studies. We determined sensitivities and specificities across studies, calculated positive and negative likelihood ratios (LR+ and LR−), and constructed summary receiver operating characteristic curves (SROC) using hierarchical regression models.

Results:  Across 16 studies with 804 patients, PET/CT sensitivity was 0.87 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.82, 0.81) and specificity was 0.83 (95% CI, 0.71, 0.91). Overall, LR+ was 5.84 (95% CI, 4.59, 7.42) and LR− was 0.24 (95% CI, 0.17, 0.33). DWI sensitivity was 0.85 (95% CI, 0.74, 0.92) and specificity was 0.91 (95% CI, 0.71, 0.98). LR+ was 9.53 (95% CI, 2.41, 37.65) and LR− was 0.17 (95% CI, 0.09, 0.32). In subgroup analysis, the sensitivity of enhanced versus unenhanced PET/CT in the detection of pancreatic cancer was 0.91 (95% CI, 0.86, 0.96) versus 0.84 (95% CI, 0.78, 0.90) (P > 0.05), the specificity 0.88 (95% CI, 0.73, 1.00) versus 0.81 (95% CI, 0.69, 0.94) (P > 0.05).

Conclusion:  Positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) was highly sensitive and DWI was a highly specific modality in diagnosing patients with pancreatic malignancy. PET/CT and DWI could play different roles in diagnosing pancreatic carcinoma. Enhanced PET/CT seems to be superior to unenhanced PET/CT. Further larger prospective studies are needed to establish its value for diagnosis in pancreatic cancer.
Preliminary study of enteroscopy‐guided, self‐expandable metal stent placement for malignant small bowel obstruction
Authors: Lee Hyuk , Park Jun Chul , Shin Sung Kwan , Lee Sang Kil , Lee Yong Chan
Published: March 2012

Background and Aims:  Technical limitations of conventional endoscopes and delivery systems frequently hamper palliative endoscopic placement of self‐expandable metal stents for malignant small bowel obstruction. This study examined feasibility of the double balloon enteroscope‐guided withdrawal‐reinsertion method as a rescue procedure in patients with failed palliative stent placement for malignant small bowel obstruction.

Methods:  We enrolled 19 consecutive patients with small bowel obstruction due to metastatic gastric (n = 15) or colorectal cancer (n = 2), or primary small bowel carcinoma (n = 2), in whom previous attempts to place self‐expandable metal stents using conventional endoscopy had failed. Ten patients had undergone previous gastric surgery. After passing a guide‐wire using an enteroscope with or without the double‐balloon method, the enteroscope was withdrawn. A conventional endoscope was re‐inserted along the guide‐wire, and through‐the‐scope self‐expandable metal stent placement was performed.

Results:  Obstruction sites were efferent jejunal loop, proximal jejunum, and third duodenal portion. Technical success was achieved with 94.7% (18/19) of stents, and clinical success occurred with 84.2% (16/19) of patients. The gastric outlet obstruction score (pre‐procedure: 0.68 ± 0.58) increased by one week (2.05 ± 0.52, P < 0.001). Stent migration and restenosis occurred in two (10.5%) and four (21.1%) of 19 stents, respectively. Median stent patency duration was 67 days and median survival was 93 days; these did not differ significantly by palliative chemotherapy (P = 0.76 and 0.67, respectively).

Conclusions:  The double‐balloon enteroscopy‐guided method followed by conventional endoscopic self‐expandable metal stent delivery was effective for rescue palliation of malignant small bowel obstruction.
Clinical features and outcomes of primary hepatic neuroendocrine carcinomas
Authors: Park Chan Hyuk , Chung Joo Won , Jang Seon Jung , Chung Moon Jae , Bang Seungmin , Park Seung Woo , Song Si Young , Chung Jae Bock , Park Jeong Youp
Published: March 2012

Background and Aim:  Primary hepatic neuroendocrine carcinomas (PHNECs) are extremely rare, with only about 150 cases having been reported in the English‐language literature. Because of the rarity of PHNECs, its clinical features and treatment outcomes are not well understood. Here, we report our experiences with PHNECs.

Methods:  We identified patients diagnosed with PHNEC and analyzed their demographics, baseline laboratory data, tumor characteristics, treatment modalities and outcomes.

Results:  A total of 218 consecutive patients were identified with pathologically confirmed neuroendocrine carcinoma. Of these, 12 patients were diagnosed with PHNECs; the median age was 66.5 years (range, 37 to 80 years), and seven patients (58.3%) were male. Two patients who each had a single hepatic mass underwent curative surgical resection. One patient who was of inoperable status at the initial diagnosis because of multiple intrahepatic metastases showed a partial response after the ninth round of systemic chemotherapy and then underwent surgical resection. The median overall survival in the 12 patients was 16.5 months (range, 0.7 to 41.7 months). Three patients who underwent surgical treatment are alive without recurrence for 15.2 months, 18.0 months, and 36.9 months, respectively.

Conclusions:  Primary hepatic neuroendocrine carcinoma should be considered as a possible differential diagnosis in the management of hepatic tumors. The liver can be the primary origin of neuroendocrine tumors, and if the tumors are diagnosed as primary hepatic neuroendocrine tumors, surgical resection must be considered for curative treatment.
Improvement in mortality of very low birthweight infants and the changing pattern of neonatal mortality: The 50‐year experience of one perinatal centre
Authors: Battin Malcolm R , Knight David B , Kuschel Carl A , Howie Ross N
Published: March 2012

Aim:  Neonatology is a relatively new sub‐specialty so we aimed to review survival data in the context of advances in neonatal care.

Method:  Review of neonatal survival for very low birthweight babies over the last 50 years.

Results:  In the data collected from a single tertiary neonatal unit, survival for babies 501–1000 g improved from below 10% in 1959 to over 60% in 2009. Similarly, survival for babies 1001 to 1500 g has improved from approximately 50% to over 90%. During the study period, death due to extreme prematurity or cardiorespiratory problems, namely respiratory distress syndrome, fell from 90% in 1964 to only 45% of neonatal deaths in 2008.

Conclusion:  In addition to reporting the remarkable improvement in neonatal survival over this period, we have highlighted items of historical context.
Odontostomatologic involvement in juvenile localised scleroderma of the face
Authors: Trainito Sabina , Favero Lorenzo , Martini Giorgia , Pedersen Thomas Klit , Favero Vittorio , Herlin Troels , Zulian Francesco
Published: March 2012

Aim:  Localised scleroderma of the face (LSF) can lead to significant aesthetical and functional abnormalities. Despite their quite frequent clinical observation, the odontostomatologic complications are not thoroughly described. Aim of the study was to describe the clinical features of the most frequent odontostomatologic abnormalities of LSF and to propose clinical and radiologic criteria for the assessment and follow‐up of these complications.

Methods:  We performed a cross‐sectional, multicenter study involving a multidisciplinary team formed by paediatric rheumatologists, orthodontists and radiologists. Patients with a diagnosis of LSF underwent a comprehensive rheumatologic evaluation, dental examination, conventional radiology (orthopantomography, teleradiography) and cone beam computed tomography.

Results:  16 patients, nine F, seven M, aged 6.5–21.9 years, were investigated. The mean disease duration was 7.7 years, 62.5% had extracutaneous complications. All patients reported at least one odontostomatologic complication. The main alterations were: malocclusion (94%), overgrowth tendency of the anterior lower third of the face (82%), gnatologic alterations (69%), dental anomalies (63%), skeletal asymmetry (56%), bone involvement (50%) and temporomandibular joint involvement (19%).

Conclusions:  We found a high incidence of odontostomatologic abnormalities in LSF. Cone beam computed tomography represents a new feasible technique to evaluate and monitor soft and hard tissue changes in LSF. The observed findings highlight the importance of a multidisciplinary and standardised management of this challenging and rare condition.
TLR4, IL‐6, IL‐18, MyD88 and HMGB1 are highly expressed in intracranial inflammatory lesions and the IgG4/IgG ratio correlates with TLR4 and IL‐6
Authors: Hirano Hirofumi , Yoshioka Takako , Yunoue Shunji , Fujio Shingo , Yonezawa Hajime , Niiro Tadaaki , Habu Mika , Oyoshi Tatsuki , Sugata Sei , Kamezawa Takashi , Arimura Hiroshi , Hanaya Ryosuke , Tokimura Hiroshi , Tokudome Mai , Arita Kazunori
Published: March 2012

We determined distribution of plasma cells and IgG4/IgG index and factors associated with the index in intracranial inflammatory lesions. Specimens of nine patients were analyzed immunohistochemically using antibodies against CD45, CD68, CD3, CD4, CD8, CD20, CD138, lambda chain, kappa chain, IgG, IgG4, IL‐1α, IL‐6, IL‐18, toll‐like receptor (TLR) 2, TLR4, high‐mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α), myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK). The relationship between all the factors was assessed using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient (ρ). Negative ALK staining was observed in all the patients. Plasma cells were detected in eight patients with varying degrees. The highest number of neutrophils, but no plasma cells, was observed in a patient with the shortest history of inflammation. IgG4/IgG index was independent of the number of plasma cells. The index was relatively highly correlated with IL‐6 (ρ = 0.7271) and TLR4 expression (ρ = 0.7246). IL‐6 expression was highly correlated with TLR4 expression (ρ = 0.8042). IL‐18 was maximally expressed in all the patients. TLR4 expression was strong, but TRL2 expression was weak. Positive HMGB1 staining was observed in all the patients, predominantly in the nuclei, but also in the cytoplasm in four patients. The cytoplasmic expression strongly correlated with IL‐1α expression (ρ = 0.9583). The cytoplasmic colocalization of HMGB1 and IL‐1α was histologically confirmed in cells with collapsing nuclei by the double‐staining method. The IgG4/IgG indexes varied case by case. IL‐6 and TLR4 expressions may influence IgG4/IgG index. The nuclei of cells with both IL‐1α and HMGB1 expressions in the cytoplasm collapse in the cell death stage. The cooperative high expression of TLR4, IL‐6, IL‐18, MyD88 and HMGB1 suggest their critical roles in the inflammation circuit.
Outcomes of herniotomy in premature infants: Recent 10 year experience
Authors: Takahashi Atsushi , Toki Fumiaki , Yamamoto Hideki , Otake Sayaka , Oki Yasushi , Kuwano Hiroyuki
Published: March 2012

Background:  The timing of herniotomy in premature infants is controversial.

Methods:  Outcomes of herniotomy in 47 premature infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) were retrospectively reviewed for preoperative clinical features, respiratory interventions, and anesthetic and surgical complications. The data were compared with those of full‐term infants (n= 52). Fourteen of the premature infants underwent herniotomy before NICU discharge and 33 after discharge. The predictive factors for anesthetic and surgical complications were also investigated via multiple regression analysis.

Results:  Mean post‐conceptional age at surgery in premature infants and full‐term infants was 47 weeks and 50 weeks, respectively. Mean bodyweight at surgery in those infants was 4087 g and 5454 g, respectively. The rate of incarcerated hernia and emergency surgery was lower in premature infants. Delayed extubation of the tracheal tube after surgery was noted in four premature infants, but not in full‐term infants. Two cases of cryptorchidism in premature infants and one recurrence in a full‐term infant that required reoperation were noted. On multiple regression analysis no factor (including respiratory interventions) was found to be capable of predicting complications.

Conclusion:  Although no predictive factor for complications was identified, there were some anesthetic and surgical complications in premature infants. If there is no risk of incarceration, herniotomy in premature infants should be performed at a time when the risk of anesthetic complications is decreased. If there is a risk of incarcerated hernia, herniotomy should be performed carefully in order to avoid occurrence of anesthetic and surgical complications.
Ovarian ligament adenomyoma: Report of a rare entity with review of the literature
Authors: Sisodia Shantilal M. , Khan Wasif Ali Z. A. , Goel Aparajita
Published: March 2012

Adenomyoma is a benign tumor composed of endometrial glands, specialized endometrioid stroma, and smooth muscle. These tumors typically originate within the uterus. An extrauterine adenomyoma is an extremely rare entity. We present the case of a 56‐year‐old perimenopausal woman with a right adnexal mass, diagnosed histopathologically as an ovarian ligament adenomyoma. This report documents a fourth case of an extrauterine adenomyoma and only the second case in ovarian ligament. The differential diagnosis includes endometrioma, leiomyomatosis peritonealis disseminata, uterus‐like mass lesion and extrauterine leiomyoma with entrapped endometrioid glands and stroma. Two theories for the etiology of adenomyoma have been proposed: (i) Müllerian duct fusion defect and (ii) metaplasia.
Risk factors of treatment discontinuation due to uterine bleeding in adenomyosis patients treated with dienogest
Authors: Nagata Chie , Yanagida Satoshi , Okamoto Aikou , Morikawa Asuka , Sugimoto Kohei , Okamoto Shigehisa , Ochiai Kazunori , Tanaka Tadao
Published: March 2012

Aim:  Adenomyosis patients treated with dienogest are considered to be at higher risk of uterine bleeding; however, the mechanisms which cause severe uterine bleeding in those patients are unknown. This study aims to investigate the risk factors of uterine bleeding among adenomyosis patients treated with dienogest.

Material and Methods:  Clinical data of 51 adenomyosis patients treated with dienogest were retrospectively collected from their medical records. The impact of potential risk factors (age, sagittal square area of the uterus before treatment, and estradiol at the third month of treatment) and confounders (hemoglobin before treatment and prior medical treatments) on the time to treatment discontinuation due to uterine bleeding was assessed using log–rank tests and a Cox proportional hazard model.

Results:  Age (<38 years, P = 0.004), hemoglobin before treatment (<12 g/dL, P = 0.047), and estradiol at the third month of treatment (≥60 pg/mL, P = 0.027) had statistically significant effects on the time to treatment discontinuation due to uterine bleeding. Age was still statistically significant after controlling for hemoglobin (P = 0.023).

Conclusion:  Adenomyosis patients treated with dienogest are at higher risk of treatment discontinuation due to uterine bleeding, especially when they are of younger age, have anemia before treatment, and/or have mildly suppressed or unsuppressed estradiol after they started dienogest treatment. Clinicians should pay special attention when they prescribe dienogest for such patients.
Endometrial stromal sarcoma arising from endometriosis of the terminal ileum: The role of immunohistochemistry in the differential diagnosis
Authors: Biliatis Ioannis , Akrivos Nikolaos , Sotiropoulou Maria , Rodolakis Alexandros , Simou Maria , Antsaklis Aris
Published: March 2012

Low‐grade endometrial stromal sarcoma (LESS) is an uncommon uterine malignancy. Occasionally, it may develop in extrauterine endometriotic lesions and present morphological characteristics mimicking various neoplasms, making its diagnosis very challenging. We report a rare case of a 56‐year‐old woman presenting with a pelvic mass, initially presumed to be of ovarian origin. After surgical excision the diagnosis of a LESS arising from foci of endometriosis of the terminal ileum was established. Pelvic lymph nodes and omentum were also infiltrated. The patient received adjuvant chemotherapy and medroxyprogesterone; she is alive with no evidence of disease after a follow‐up of 38 months. Immunohistochemical characteristics of the tumor are very important for the differential diagnosis of this rare neoplasm and include diffuse strong positivity for CD 10, estrogen receptor expression and CD 34 negativity.
Guidelines for office gynecology in Japan: Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Japan Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists 2011 edition
Authors: Takeda Takashi , Wong Tze Fang , Adachi Tomoko , Ito Kiyoshi , Uehara Shigeki , Kanaoka Yasushi , Kamada Masaharu , Kitagawa Hiroaki , Koseki Satoshi , Gomibuchi Hideto , Saito Juichiro , Shirasu Kazuhiro , Sueoka Kou , Sugimoto Mitsuhiro , Suzuki Mitsuaki , Sumi Toshiyuki , Takeda Satoru , Tasaka Keiichi , Noguchi Yasuyuki , Fujii Shunsaku , Fujii Tsuneo , Fujiwara Michihisa , Maeda Tsugio , Matsumoto Koji , Momoeda Mikio , Morita Mineto , Yoshimura Kazuaki , Hirai Yasuo , Kubota Toshiro , Sakuragi Noriaki , Kawabata Masakiyo , Yoshikawa Hiroyuki , Kobayashi Hiroshi , Yaegashi Nobuo
Published: March 2012

Gynecology in the office setting is developing worldwide. Clinical guidelines for office gynecology were first published by the Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the Japan Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists in 2011. These guidelines include a total of 72 clinical questions covering four areas (Infectious disease, Malignancies and benign tumors, Endocrinology and infertility, and Healthcare for women). These clinical questions were followed by several answers, backgrounds, explanations and references covering common problems and questions encountered in office gynecology. Each answer with a recommendation level of A, B or C has been prepared based principally on evidence or consensus among Japanese gynecologists.These guidelines would promote a better understanding of the current standard care practices for gynecologic outpatients in Japan.
Community scale 15N isoscapes: tracing the spatial impact of an exotic N2‐fixing invader
Authors: Rascher Katherine G. , Hellmann Christine , Máguas Cristina , Werner Christiane
Published: March 2012

Ecology Letters (2012) 15: 484–491

Plant–plant interactions are key processes shaping plant communities, but methods are lacking to accurately capture the spatial dimension of these processes. Isoscapes, i.e. spatially continuous observations of variations in stable isotope ratios, provide innovative methods to trace the spatial dimension of ecological processes at continental to global scales. Herein, we test the usefulness of nitrogen isoscapes (δ15N) for quantifying alterations in community functioning following exotic plant invasion. Nitrogen introduced by an exotic N2‐fixing acacia could be accurately traced through the ecosystem and into the surrounding native vegetation by combining native species foliar δ15N with spatial information regarding plant location using geostatistical methods. The area impacted by N‐addition was at least 3.5‐fold greater than the physical area covered by the invader. Thus, downscaling isoscapes to the community level opens new frontiers in quantifying the spatial dimension of functional changes associated with invasion and in resolving the spatial component of within‐community interactions.
When reproductive value exceeds economic value: an example from the Newfoundland cod fishery
Authors: Xu Cailin , Schneider David C , Rideout Cassandra
Published: March 2012

The Northern Cod (Gadus morhua) fishery supported the removal of approximately 200 000 tonnes per year for centuries until collapse in the late 1980s and closure in 1992. Long recovery times, on the order of a decade or more, are now known to be regular concomitant of steep population declines in fish populations. We investigated reproductive value as an alternative to economic value in assessing fisheries sustainability. Our analysis showed that in cod, price‐driven heavy fishing (i.e. fishing mortality positively related to body mass and its dollar value) dramatically impaired reproductive capacity by sacrificing future egg production of large fish. Management based upon current value (either in terms of biomass or equivalently dollar value) substantially underestimates the value of large individuals to the stock; this drove the Northern Cod stock towards collapse by failing to protect individuals with high future value. Our results provide a general explanation for the erosion, collapse and prolonged recovery of a long‐lived species where reproductive value increases rapidly with increasing size. Failure to compute and communicate future value relative to current dollar value to resource harvesters leads to unrealistic perceptions of sustainable resource use.
Academic Freedom, Intellectual Diversity, and the Place of Politics in Geography
Authors: Orzeck Reecia
Published: March 2012

Abstract:  This paper examines the conservative critique of higher education in the USA. I argue, first, that the right's call for greater “intellectual diversity” in American higher education should be understood as an attack on the professional self‐regulation and disciplinary autonomy that are central to academic freedom in this country. Second, I suggest that the right's politicization of politics in the academy brings to light the importance of our developing a vision of the university that accounts for rather than disavows the political nature of the work we do.
REFORMING PENSION FUNDS IN SRI LANKA: INTERNATIONAL DIVERSIFICATION AND THE EMPLOYEES' PROVIDENT FUND
Authors: KUMARA AJANTHA SISIRA , PFAU WADE
Published: March 2012

The Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) of Sri Lanka is a defined‐contribution pension fund whose pooled asset holdings consist mainly of local government bonds. Regulations prohibit international diversification, and this paper aims to quantify the extent of the potential harms, if any, caused by this constraint. To improve the robustness of the findings, we use two distinct methodologies. These include traditional mean‐variance analysis from modern portfolio theory, and Monte Carlo simulations bootstrapped from the historical data that estimate the distribution of wealth accumulated at retirement from the contributions of a hypothetical worker. Both methods produce qualitatively and quantitatively similar results: workers with risk aversion varying from aggressive to conservative will be better served by allowing international diversification. The results are particularly persuasive for the second approach. The EPF fund managers will likely behave fairly conservatively toward risk, which suggests that around half of the fund assets should be invested abroad.
The Future of Public Sector Pensions
Authors: HUTTON JOHN
Published: March 2012

The dramatic rise in life expectancy and longer retirement has created serious concerns about the long‐term affordability of public sector pensions. Drawing on insights from a recent inquiry into public sector pension reform, commissioned by the Conservative–Liberal Democrat Coalition and led by the author, this article outlines the challenge faced by policy makers and sets out how it should be addressed. It argues that, with 12 million people active in this part of the pensions system, and estimates that the gap between contributions and payments will grow from £3bn to £10bn in the next decade, the government has no choice but to enter the ‘lions’ den’ of pensions’ policy. It contends that any long‐term solution is to be crafted cannot be based solely on economics, but must also answer fundamental questions of ethics and equity.
Tuvalu and You: The Monarch, the United Kingdom and the Realms
Authors: BONNEY NORMAN , MORRIS BOB
Published: March 2012

The government plans to amend the royal succession rules by making primogeniture gender blind and ending marriage to a Roman Catholic spouse as a disqualification for succession. Achieving these goals means that the UK is dependent on the agreement of the fifteen Commonwealth countries—the ‘realms’—that also have the Queen as head of state. The article questions whether these proposals go far enough when leaving intact other religious discriminatory rules hostile to Catholics and all others who cannot be in communion with the Church of England. It is maintained that a political disinclination to address and, as necessary, challenge the real as opposed to the formal position of the Church of England vitiates the government's approach. Moreover, it is asked whether the policy process itself should not become more open and democratic both within the UK and between the realms.
The Northern Ireland Peace Process in an Age of Austerity
Authors: KAUFMANN ERIC
Published: March 2012

The steady drip of dissident Republican attacks forms the backdrop to this special issue of Political Quarterly. Moreover, this comes at a time of economic austerity, when Northern Ireland faces unprecedented cuts to its public sector‐dominated economy. The economic crisis in the South adds an additional layer of uncertainty to the picture. In the past, economic deprivation has been associated with conflict in Northern Ireland and elsewhere. Might the peace dividend and constitutional settlement which have underpinned the Northern Ireland ‘miracle’ since 1994 be under threat? Or is there now sufficient momentum in both of Northern Ireland's main ethnic communities that such an outcome can be safely averted? This paper summarises the thinking of our symposium and special issue on this topic, updating our picture of the Northern Ireland peace process.
A Prosperity of Thought in an Age of Austerity: The Case of Ulster Loyalism
Authors: SHIRLOW PETER
Published: March 2012

A central failing of analysis of the peace process has been to account for, explain and determine the extent of loyalist‐led conflict transformation. My argument is that, despite evident wrong‐doing, there has been a failure to appreciate the prosperity of loyalist thinking and action in the period after the paramilitary ceasefires of 1994. Loyalism has appeared less relevant than it is to peacemaking due to its criminalisation, its refusal to accept positive morphology and a failure to self‐promote. An appreciation of the positive nature of loyalist transition offers much to those who seek to comprehend the future of Northern Ireland.
Britain and Europe
Authors: WALL STEPHEN
Published: March 2012

Britain decided to join the European Community because its postwar, postimperial policies had failed and successive Governments saw no viable alternative. After ten years of being denied entry by De Gaulle, Britain joined on disadvantageous terms and with the British political parties, and the British people, deeply divided. Accession did not resolve the underlying issues and Britain's first year of membership saw an unprecedented oil crisis, bad relations between Britain and the United States and the demise of the British government led by Edward Heath. The underlying issues which had not been resolved in the accession negotiations were reopened by Harold Wilson and later by Margaret Thatcher. Some of them remain unresolved in British politics to this day.
Spectral‐based non‐central F mixed effect models, with application to otoacoustic emissions
Authors: Wei Lai , Craigmile Peter F. , King Wayne M.
Published: March 2012

In an experimental design involving replicate time series, on a number of experimental units, we consider the statistical problem of modelling the signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) of a number of sinusoidal features of interest, observed in the presence of nuisance sinusoids and non‐white Gaussian errors. Based on local spectral F statistics, we introduce non‐central F mixed effect models to assess and characterize the variability in the SNRs over units and experimental conditions. We apply these non‐central F mixed models to the analysis of distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs), retrograde sinusoidal pressure variations produced in the nonlinear cochlea by two‐tone stimulation. Due to the narrowband nature of both the evoking stimuli and the emission, DPOAEs potentially represent a non‐behavioural analogue of the pure‐tone audiogram. However, substantial inter‐ and intra‐subject variability currently limits their diagnostic validity. We model the cubic distortion product, the strongest such DPOAE, in a sample of 15 normal‐hearing subjects. Our results demonstrate the ability to detect established gender‐ and evoking stimuli‐dependent features, while being able to characterize the inter‐ and intra‐subject variability. A demonstration that these methods can be readily applied to healthy patient populations indicates their utility in studying clinical populations.
A DYNAMIC ANALYSIS OF DEBT‐LED AND DEBT‐BURDENED GROWTH REGIMES WITH MINSKIAN FINANCIAL STRUCTURE
Authors: Nishi Hiroshi
Published: March 2012

In this paper, we formally derive a version of the Minskian taxonomy of the firms' financial structure (hedge, speculative and Ponzi types), under the economic growth context in the long run. As for the economic growth, we formalize the mechanism of debt‐led (debt‐burdened) growth where the economy expands as the debt variables increase (decrease). By explicitly introducing the relationship between the finance growth regime and Minskian taxonomy in a dynamic model, the model in this paper enables us to evaluate whether or not the economic growth regime is sounded in terms of the firms' financial positions.