bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of maternal egg consumption on breast milk ovalbumin concentration
Authors: Palmer D. J. , Gold M. S. , Makrides M.
Published: May 2008

Background
Maternal dietary avoidance of egg has been recommended to treat egg allergy in breastfed infants. However, only one of three randomized controlled trials have produced evidence in favour of this recommendation.

Objective
Our objective was to assess human milk ovalbumin (OVA) concentration after daily maternal ingestion of one cooked egg for 3 weeks.

Methods
Mothers with egg‐sensitive, eczematous breastfed infants were randomly allocated to consume one muffin per day containing one egg (egg group, n=16) or a similar egg‐free muffin (control group, n=16) for 21 days (Days 3–23). All mothers and infants followed an egg‐free diet. Breast milk samples were collected at two hourly intervals for 6 h after eating the test muffins on Days 3, 12 and 23 and breast milk OVA concentration measured. Infant eczema was assessed at the commencement and completion of the trial.

Results
Women in the egg group had higher OVA concentrations in breast milk than the control group at all time‐points. Within each dietary group, OVA excretion did not change with time. OVA was not detected in breast milk of 25% of women in the egg group. In contrast, infant eczema symptom scores significantly reduced with time for both groups.

Conclusion
Human milk OVA is related to maternal dietary egg intake, but a significant proportion of women either have a delayed excretion or may not excrete OVA in their breast milk.
Sex‐related splenocyte function in a murine model of allergic asthma
Authors: Okuyama K. , Wada K. , Chihara J. , Takayanagi M. , Ohno I.
Published: May 2008

Background
The prevalence and severity of asthma are higher among boys than girls, but the ratios are reversed after puberty. These observations strongly suggest that sex hormones have a role in the pathogenesis of the disease. However, the mechanisms underlying the gender differences in asthma are not fully understood.

Objective
The aim of this study was to investigate sex differences in allergic inflammation in terms of immune function.

Methods
Male and female C57BL/6 mice were sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin (OVA). OVA‐specific IgE in serum and airway inflammation were compared between sexes. Splenocytes from OVA‐sensitized male or female donor mice were transferred to male or female naïve recipient mice. Subsequently, the recipient mice were challenged, followed by the evaluation of OVA‐specific IgE and airway inflammation. Cytokines secreted from splenocytes of the sensitized mice were measured.

Results
The levels of OVA‐specific IgE and the allergen‐induced airway inflammation were higher in female than in the male mice. The contents of T‐helper type 2 (Th2) cytokines, IL‐4, IL‐5 and IL‐13, in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from female mice were higher than those from male mice. The airway inflammation in female recipients transferred with splenocytes from female donors was more severe than that in any other combination of recipients and donors. Splenocytes from the sensitized female mice produced more of the Th2 cytokine, IL‐5, than those from the sensitized male mice upon stimulation with OVA.

Conclusion
Our findings suggest that the sex difference in allergic airway inflammation may be attributable to the sex difference in not only the hormonal environment but also in the immune cells themselves.
Patch time allocation in male parasitoids
Authors: MARTEL VÉRONIQUE , WAJNBERG ERIC , BOIVIN GUY
Published: May 2008

Abstract 1. Patch time allocation has been mostly studied in female parasitoids exploiting patches of hosts. Different parameters such as oviposition, host encounters, patch quality, etc. have been repeatedly shown to modify the time females invest on hosts.

2. Male parasitoids are expected to maximise their lifetime fitness by maximising the number of females inseminated during their life. Because they can be sperm and/or time limited, they should optimise their time allocation on emergence patches.

3. Patch time allocation thus appears to be an important question for both male and female parasitoids.

4. In this study, we determined the parameters used by males of the egg parasitoid Trichogramma turkestanica to decide when to leave the emergence patch. Among the different patch‐leaving parameters tested, only contacts with parasitised hosts and presence of virgin females significantly influenced the patch‐leaving tendency.

5. Our results suggest that males express behaviours that could enable them to optimise their patch exploitation time, as females do, but using different strategies.
Characterization of Drosophila G9a in vivo and identification of genetic interactants
Authors: Kato Yasuko , Kato Masaki , Tachibana Makoto , Shinkai Yoichi , Yamaguchi Masamitsu
Published: May 2008

In mammals, G9a is a histone H3 lysine 9 (H3‐K9)‐specific histone methyltransferase (HMTase), known to be essential for murine embryogenesis. It has been reported that Drosophila G9a (dG9a) is a dominant suppressor of position effects of variegation, has HMTase activity in vitro, and is important for Drosophila development. Here we show that dG9a has H3‐K9 dimethylation activity in vivo and is important for the recruitment of HP1 in the euchromatic region. Over‐expression in eye imaginal discs inhibited the differentiation of pupal ommatidial cells and resulted in abnormal eye morphology (rough eye phenotype) in the adults, although a methylase defective mutant did not demonstrate such effects. These results suggest that HMTase activity of dG9a affects transcription of genes involved in pupal eye formation. The dG9a‐induced rough eye phenotype was enhanced by a half‐dose reduction of the Polycomb group (PcG) gene. In contrast, mutants for little imaginal discs (lid), encoding histone H3‐K4 demethylase, demonstrated suppression of the rough eye phenotype induced by dG9a. Furthermore co‐expression of Lid in eye imaginal discs enhanced the rough phenotype induced by dG9a. The results suggest that the function of dG9a is negatively regulated by the PcG complex and positively regulated by Lid in vivo.
Ligand‐dependent interaction between estrogen receptor α and adenomatous polyposis coli
Authors: Kouzmenko Alexander P. , Takeyama Ken‐ichi , Kawasaki Yoshihiro , Akiyama Tetsu , Kato Shigeaki
Published: May 2008

Numerous independent clinical and experimental studies indicate that estrogens confer a protective effect against development of intestinal tumors, however the molecular mechanisms involved remain unclear. Physiological effects of estrogens are predominantly mediated by the action of nuclear estrogen receptors (ERs). A multifunctional protein adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) is a tumor suppressor and thought to act as a gatekeeper in colon tumorigenesis, as loss of function APC mutations trigger the development of colorectal cancer. Here we report that APC physically associates with ERa in the ligand‐dependent manner. We have shown in the endogenous setting that the ligand‐activated ERa recruits APC to the promoters in ER target genes and that increased levels of ER‐dependent recruitment of APC enhances the ER transactivation through stimulation of histone acetylation. Found in majority of human colon tumors APC truncation mutants lost the ability to interact with ER. Thus, here we present the first evidence of a functional interaction between APC and ER that may be accounted for a tumor protective action of estrogens.
‘Tied down’– the process of becoming bedridden through gradual local confinement
Authors: Zegelin Angelika
Published: May 2008

Aims and objectives.  To raise awareness of the process of being bedridden, to create knowledge about the different causes and types of being bedridden, to highlight what exactly constitutes being bedridden, to describe which factors influence being bedridden.

Background.  Being bedridden is a common phenomenon in nursing. However, there is no solid base of knowledge on reasons, types, development of and coping with this situation. The concept of being bedridden is applied in an arbitrary manner and the state of being bedridden is far from being clearly defined. A literature review revealed that only pathophysiological effects of this state are sufficiently explained. The aim of this study was to gain knowledge of the development of being confined to bed.

Design.  Data collection and analysis were performed by using a Grounded Theory approach as developed by Strauss and Corbin.

Methods.  Thirty‐two interviews with older, bedridden people were conducted. They were asked about their perspective on and their experience of the development of being confined to bed. Half of the interviewees lived in a nursing home, the others were cared for at home.

Results.  ‘Gradual local confinement’ was identified as the core category. Becoming bedridden is a slow process by which the person is increasingly confined to one location. This development is related to an increasing need for support and to negative consequences, such as a pathology of immobility, narrowing of interests and loss of time. These consequences again are responsible for a downward spiral development.

Conclusions.  The study is the first research on the topic of being bedridden; no research in this field had been done before. There are some research results on bedrest, based on a purely medical perspective. The problem of being bedridden from the perspective of nursing is totally different. This study reveals phases of development and a range of factors influencing the problem of becoming bedridden. Many of these factors arise from the person and his/her interactional behaviour in the circumstances; other influences are structural factors, such as external pressure caused by time constraints of professional nursing services or unfavourable arrangements of furniture.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Many factors that lead to being confined to bed are alterable. Long periods of being bedridden can be prevented in many cases, if early warning signs are recognised and preventive measures are taken in time. The result of this research could be the basis for a change of attitude and behaviour of professionals dealing with those patients. It could have a major impact on the quality of life of the patients and, in addition costs of treatment might be reduced.
Early temperament and negative reactivity in boys with fragile X syndrome
Authors: Shanahan M. , Roberts J. , Hatton D. , Reznick J. , Goldsmith H.
Published: May 2008

Background  The phenotype of children and adults with fragile X syndrome (FXS) includes a number of problem behaviours such as inattention, social anxiety and aggressive outbursts. However, very little work has been conducted with young children with FXS less than 5 years of age to examine the developmental pathway of problem behaviours in this population and to determine if later occurring problem behaviours may be rooted in early appearing temperament profiles.

Methods  Parent ratings and laboratory‐based behavioural observations of negative reactivity were examined in 25 3‐year‐old boys with FXS and compared with 64 typically developing boys matched on age.

Results  Compared with the typically developing group, boys with FXS were rated by their parents as exhibiting less anger and sadness on the Child Behaviour Questionnaire (CBQ), and they showed less facial sadness on the Laboratory Temperament Assessment Battery (Lab‐TAB). No group differences were found on the Lab‐TAB measures of distress vocalisations, bodily struggle, and facial anger; and anger peaked in the middle of the arm restraint episode for both groups. For boys with FXS, mental age was moderately positively correlated, and autistic behaviour was moderately negatively correlated, with sadness scores from the CBQ.

Conclusions  Our results show different behavioural profiles in very young children with FXS than reported in older‐aged children with FXS which implies that temperamental differences and elevated problem behaviours reported in older‐aged children with FXS may not be rooted in early temperament. This information is important to develop the phenotype of early development in FXS to facilitate early identification and treatment.
Sedimentary evolution of a Late Pleistocene temperate red algal reef (Coralligène) on Rhodes, Greece: correlation with global sea‐level fluctuations
Authors: TITSCHACK JÜRGEN , NELSON CAMPBELL S. , BECK TIM , FREIWALD ANDRÉ , RADTKE ULRICH
Published: May 2008

Autochthonous red algal structures known as coralligène de plateau occur in the modern warm‐temperate Mediterranean Sea at water depths from 20 to 120 m, but fossil counterparts are not so well‐known. This study describes, from an uplifted coastal section at Plimiri on the island of Rhodes, a 450 m long by 10 m thick Late Pleistocene red algal reef (Coralligène Facies), interpreted as being a coralligène de plateau, and its associated deposits. The Coralligène Facies, constructed mainly by Lithophyllum and Titanoderma, sits unconformably upon the Plio‐Pleistocene Rhodes Formation and is overlain by a Maerl Facies (2 m), a Mixed Siliciclastic‐Carbonate Facies (0·2 m) and an Aeolian Sand Facies (2·5 m). The three calcareous facies, of Heterozoan character, are correlated with established members in the Lindos Acropolis Formation in the north of the island, while the aeolian facies is assigned to the new Plimiri Aeolianite Formation. The palaeoenvironmental and genetic‐stratigraphic interpretations of these mixed siliciclastic‐carbonate temperate water deposits involved consideration of certain characteristics associated with siliciclastic shelf and tropical carbonate shelf models, such as vertical grain‐size trends and the stratigraphic position of zooxanthellate coral growths. Integration of these results with electron spin resonance dates of bivalve shells indicates that the Coralligène Facies was deposited during Marine Isotope Stage 6 to 5e transgressive event (ca 135 to 120 ka), in water depths of 20 to 50 m, and the overlying Maerl Facies was deposited during regression from Marine Isotope Stage 5e to 5d (ca 120 to 110 ka), at water depths of 25 to 40 m. The capping Aeolian Sand Facies, involving dual terrestrial subunits, is interpreted as having formed during each of the glacial intervals Marine Isotope Stages 4 (71 to 59 ka) and 2 (24 to 12 ka), with soil formation during the subsequent interglacial periods of Marine Isotope Stages 3 and 1, respectively. Accumulation rates of about 0·7 mm year−1 are estimated for the Coralligène Facies and minimum accumulation rates of 0·2 mm year−1 are estimated for the Maerl Facies. The existence of older red algal reefs in the Plimiri region during at least Marine Isotope Stages 7 (245 to 186 ka) and 9 (339 to 303 ka) is inferred from the occurrence of reworked coralligène‐type lithoclasts in the basal part of the section and from the electron spin resonance ages of transported bivalve shells.
Patient health literacy and participation in the health‐care process
Authors: Ishikawa Hirono , Yano Eiji
Published: May 2008

Objectives  Health information is an important resource for patients to understand and engage in the management of their health conditions. We discuss the role of health literacy (HL) in improving patient participation and propose future research in this field.

Methods  Literature searches were conducted to review existing definitions and measures of HL and identify empirical findings of its impact on patient health/illness‐related behaviours. We searched MEDLINE using ‘health literacy’ as a keyword and retrieved 371 articles published in English between 1985 and 2006. We also hand‐searched publications of leading researchers and related institutes and followed the reference lists of relevant articles.

Results  The World Health Organization has defined HL as ‘the cognitive and social skills which determine the motivation and ability of individuals to gain access to, understand, and use information in ways which promote and maintain good health.’ Based on this definition, three levels of HL have been described: functional, communicative and critical. Studies of HL have increased dramatically over the past few years, but there is a gap between the conceptual definition of HL and its application. Thus, empirical evidence of its impact on patient health/illness‐related behaviours is still limited.

Conclusions  The prevalence and consequence of inadequate HL as fully defined have not been determined. Further research is needed to develop measures of HL beyond the functional level and that consider the interaction of the individual patient HL with the health and social contexts in which the patient lives.
Study on association of single nucleotide polymorphism of CAPN1 gene with muscle fibre and carcass traits in quality chicken populations
Authors: Zhang Z.R. , Liu Y.P. , Jiang X. , Du H.R. , Zhu Q.
Published: May 2008

This study was aimed at investigating the effect of the calpain 1 (CAPN1) gene on carcass and meat quality traits in eight meat‐type chicken populations, including five pure lines (developed from Chinese local breeds) and three cross‐breeds. Primer pairs for the Coding Sequence (CDS) region in CAPN1 were designed from the chicken genomic sequence database. Polymorphisms were detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)–Single Strand Conformation Polymorphism (SSCP) and DNA sequencing. Three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP; C2546T, G3535A and C7198A) were detected among individuals in each population. The associations of their haplotypes (H1 = CGA, H2 = CGC, H3 = CAA, H4 = CAC, H5 = TGA and H7 = TAA) with chicken breast muscle fibre and carcass traits were analysed. Results showed that the haplotypes were associated with live weight (LW), carcass weight (CW), breast muscle weight (BMW) and leg muscle weight (LMW) (p < 0.05), and were also related to eviscerated percentage (%EP) and breast muscle fibre density (p < 0.01). H1H3 haplotype was dominant for LW, CW and BMW; H1H5 haplotype was dominant for EP; H3H4 haplotype was dominant for LMW and H1H1 haplotype was dominant for BFD. It was concluded that the CAPN1 gene may be a major gene affecting meat quality traits of chicken or it is linked with the major gene. H1H3, H1H5 and H3H4 were the most advantageous haplotypes for carcass traits whereas H1H1 was the positive haplotype for breast muscle fibre trait.
Genetic variation and genetic trends in hip and elbow dysplasia in Swedish Rottweiler and Bernese Mountain Dog
Authors: Malm S. , Fikse W.F. , Danell B. , Strandberg E.
Published: May 2008

The aim of this study was to estimate genetic parameters and genetic trends for hip (HD) and elbow dysplasia (ED) in Swedish Rottweiler (RW) and Bernese Mountain Dog (BMD). Analyses were based on screening results of hip status for 14 693 RW and 8221 BMD and elbow status for 11 891 RW and 7963 BMD, as well as pedigree data for 16 614 RW and 9835 BMD, recorded by the Swedish Kennel Club. Components of (co)variance and breeding values were obtained with a mixed linear animal model. The model included the fixed effects of sex, birth month, age at screening and a combined random effect of clinic and year of examination. The need to include genetic groups for phantom parents in the model was evaluated by comparison of two different models: with and without genetic groups. Estimated heritabilities for HD and ED were between 0.34 and 0.42. The genetic correlation between the traits was weak and positive for RW (rg = 0.23 ± 0.05) and not different from zero for BMD (rg = 0.06 ± 0.06).F‐statistics of the genetic group effects were not significant, implying that genetic groups do not need to be included in the model. Genetic trends indicated a genetic improvement in both traits. However, a faster genetic progress is expected if selection is based on predicted breeding values rather than phenotype. Based on the results, a statistical model for routine prediction of breeding values for HD and ED in Swedish dogs was suggested.
Natural occurrence and growth reaction on canavanine–glycine–bromothymol blue agar of non‐neoformans Cryptococcus spp. in Malaysia
Authors: Tay S. T. , Na S. L. , Tajuddin T. H.
Published: May 2008

Cryptococcus albidus and C. laurentii were the predominant non‐neoformans cryptococci isolated during an environmental sampling study for C. gattii at Klang Valley, Malaysia. Cryptococcus gattii was not isolated from any of the environmental samples. Cryptococcus albidus and C. laurentii were isolated mainly from vegetative samples of Eucalyptus trees and bird droppings. Upon testing on canavanine–glycine–bromothymol blue (CGB) agar, all the C. albidus isolates remained unchanged. Interestingly, a total of 29 (76.3%) C. laurentii isolates formed blue colours on the CGB agar. Sequence analysis of ITS1‐5.8rDNA‐ITS2 gene sequences (468 bp) of four CGB‐blue C. laurentii isolates demonstrated the closest match (99%) with that of C. laurentii CBS 7140. This study demonstrated the diverse environmental niche of C. albidus and C. laurentii in Malaysia.
Onychomycosis by Chaetomium spp.
Authors: Serrano Falcón Cristina , Serrano Falcón Ma del Mar , Delgado Ceballos Jaime , Delgado Florencio Vicente , Crespo Erchiga Vicente , Serrano Ortega Salvio
Published: May 2008

Onychomycosis is one of the most common infections of the nail. It can be caused by dermatophytes, Candida species and other fungi. Although moulds can cause onychomycosis, they account for a minority of cases, mainly great toenail onychomycosis. We describe a case of an 11‐year‐old girl who developed an onychomycosis by Chaetomium species in second and third toenails.
Electrophoretic karyotyping of Cryptococcus neoformans AD‐hybrid strains
Authors: Esposto Maria Carmela , Cogliati Massimo , Tortorano Anna Maria , Viviani Maria Anna
Published: May 2008

This study investigated the differences in genome structure between haploid serotype A and D isolates and AD‐hybrid strains of Cryptococcus neoformans, and the correlation between the karyotype of A and D strains with their mating ability. The electrophoretic karyotyping of 16 AD‐hybrid, eight haploid serotype‐A MATα, and eight haploid serotype‐D MATαC. neoformans isolates was performed. These 32 isolates presented, two by two, the same genotype and flow cytometry profile. Five clusters were identified, each including VNI (serotype A), VNIV (serotype D) haploid strains and VNIII AD hybrids. Similarly, mating types were also randomly distributed in the five clusters. In addition, AD‐hybrid isolates, with double content of DNA, showed only a slight increase in both the number of chromosomal bands and the calculated genome size compared with haploid isolates. Data support the hypothesis that hybrid isolates are aneuploids (2n+x) rather than eudiploids (2n). In addition, a set of six mating type a strains were karyotyped and then used for mating experiments carried out crossing the haploid isolates with similar or different karyotype profile strains. Isolates with completely different karyotype were able to mate confirming that meiosis occurred even in the presence of chromosomes of different lengths.
Oesophageal aspergillosis in a case of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia successfully treated with caspofungin alone due to liposomal amphotericin B induced severe hepatotoxicity
Authors: Akyol Erikci A. , Ozyurt M. , Terekeci H. , Ozturk A. , Karabudak O. , Oncu K.
Published: May 2008

Aspergillosis is one of the most common invasive fungal infections in immunocompromised patients. Sinonasal region and upper respiratory tract are commonly involved regions whereas oesophagus is seldom involved. We present an 18‐year‐old male with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia with aspergillosis of oesophagus which is a rare region of involvement. The diagnosis was confirmed by the examination of the cultures of endoscopic biopsy material. The patient was already receiving empirical liposomal amphotericin B, due to severe hepatotoxicity the therapy was switched to another antifungal (caspofungin). Here we report a case of successful treatment of invasive oesophageal aspergillosis by caspofungin.
Oral yeast carriage in HIV‐infected and non‐infected populations in Rosario, Argentina
Authors: Luque A. G. , Biasoli M. S. , Tosello M. E. , Binolfi A. , Lupo S. , Magaró H. M.
Published: May 2008

The objectives of the present study were: (i) to assess the frequency of oral colonisation by Candida species in HIV‐positive patients and to compare it with a population of HIV‐negative individuals, (ii) to determine the prevalence of C. dubliniensis in both populations and (iii) to determine the susceptibility of C. dubliniensis and other Candida species isolated from HIV‐positive patients to the most commonly used antifungal agents. Oral samples were obtained from 101 HIV‐positive and 108 HIV‐negative subjects. For yeast identification, we used morphology in cornmeal agar, the API 20C Aux, growth at 45 °C, d‐xylose assimilation, morphology in sunflower seed agar and PCR. The frequency of isolation of Candida in HIV‐positive patients was: C. albicans, 60.7%; C. dubliniensis, 20.2%; C. glabrata, 5.6%; C. krusei, 5.6%; C. tropicalis, 4.5%; others, <5%. The frequency of isolation of Candida in HIV‐negative patients was: C. albicans, 73.9%; C. tropicalis, 15.5%; C. dubliniensis, 2.1%; C. glabrata, 2.1%; C. parapsilosis, 2.1%; others, <5%. The oral colonisation by yeast in the HIV‐positive patients was higher than that in the HIV‐negative subjects. The susceptibilities of 42 Candida isolates to three antifungal agents were determined. All isolates of C. dubliniensis were susceptible to fluconazole, although several individuals had been previously treated with this drug. Out of the 42 Candida isolates, 10 presented resistance to fluconazole and 10 to itraconazole. The presence of Candida species, resistant to commonly used antifungal agents, represents a potential risk in immunocompromised patients.
Microsporum gypseum infection in the Siena area in 2005–2006
Authors: Romano C. , Massai L. , Gallo A. , Fimiani M.
Published: May 2008

Fourteen cases of dermatophytosis caused by Microsporum gypseum, representing 6.8% of all dermatophytic infections reported, were diagnosed in Siena, Italy, between 2005 and 2006. There were as follows: six cases of tinea corporis, one case of tinea corporis associated with tinea capitis, one case of tinea corporis associated with tinea barbae, one kerion on the head, one tinea cruris, one tinea faciei, one tinea barbae, two onychomycosis. In the three subjects with tinea corporis, the clinical appearance was impetigo‐like, psoriasis‐like and pityriasis rosea‐like respectively. In another case, the lesion was indicative of tinea imbricata. The diagnosis was based on mycological examination. In six cases, the source of infection was a cat, whereas in the others it was contact with soil.
The role of renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system‐based therapy in diabetes prevention and cardiovascular and renal protection
Authors: Abuissa Hussam , O’Keefe James
Published: May 2008

Hypertension increases the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and cardiovascular disease. In addition to lowering blood pressure, blockade of the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS) reduces the risk of new‐onset T2DM and offers renal protection. Using a MEDLINE search, we identified multiple trials that reported the incidence of T2DM in patients taking inhibitors of RAAS. In this review, we will discuss the RAAS as a potential target in diabetes prevention and the mechanisms through which inhibitors of this system achieve such an important effect. We will also shed light on the beneficial cardiovascular and renal effects of RAAS blockade. Although multiple studies have demonstrated that inhibitors of RAAS, especially angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers, can reduce the incidence of T2DM, randomized controlled studies are still needed to further elucidate their exact role in diabetes prevention.
Oral combination therapy: repaglinide plus metformin for treatment of type 2 diabetes
Authors: Raskin P.
Published: May 2008

Type 2 diabetes is characterized by decreases in insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity. Several classes of oral antidiabetic medications are currently approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. A stepwise treatment approach from monotherapy to combination therapy is traditionally used; however, the frequency of treatment failure with monotherapy has resulted in a move towards earlier treatment with combination therapies that target the two principal defects in glycaemic control. One such combination regimen is repaglinide (a prandial glucose regulator that increases insulin release) plus metformin (an insulin sensitizer that inhibits hepatic glucose output, increases peripheral glucose uptake and utilization and minimizes weight gain). Findings from several clinical trials have shown that combination therapy with repaglinide plus metformin is well tolerated and results in greater reductions of haemoglobin A1c and fasting plasma glucose values compared with either monotherapy. Repaglinide may also provide a more suitable alternative to combination therapy with sulphonylureas and metformin because of its reduced propensity for hypoglycaemia. The combination regimen of repaglinide plus metformin should therefore be considered as a valuable option in the management of patients with type 2 diabetes when monotherapy is no longer adequate.
What determines the relationship between plant diversity and habitat productivity?
Authors: Zobel Martin , Pärtel Meelis
Published: May 2008

The relationship between biodiversity and habitat productivity has been a fundamental topic in ecology. Although the relationship between these parameters may exhibit different shapes, the unimodal shape has been frequently encountered. The decrease in diversity at high productivity has usually been attributed to competitive exclusion. We suggest that evolutionary history and dispersal limitation may be even more important in shaping the diversity–productivity relationship. On a global scale, unimodal diversity–productivity relationships dominate in temperate regions, whereas positive relationships are more common in the tropics. This difference can be accounted for by contrasting evolutionary history. Temperate regions have smaller species pools for productive habitats since these habitats have been scarce historically for speciation, while the opposite is true for the tropics. In addition, dispersal within a region may limit diversity either due to the lack of dispersal syndromes at low productivity or the low number of diaspores at high productivity. Thereafter, biotic interactions (competition and facilitation) can shape the relationship. All these processes can act independently or concurrently. We recommend that the common approach to examining empirical diversity–environmental relationships should start with the role of large‐scale processes such as evolutionary history and dispersal limitation, followed by influences associated with ecological interactions.
Patterns of island occupancy in bats: influences of area and isolation on insular incidence of volant mammals
Authors: Frick Winifred F. , Hayes John P. , Heady III Paul A.
Published: May 2008

Aim  The influence of landscape structure on the distribution patterns of bats remains poorly understood for many species. This study investigates the relationship between area and isolation of islands and the probability of occurrence of six bat species to determine whether persistence and immigration abilities vary among bat species and foraging guilds.

Location  Thirty‐two islands in the Gulf of California near the Baja California peninsula in north‐west Mexico.

Methods  Using logistic regression and Akaike information criterion (AIC) model selection, we compared five a priori models for each of six bat species to explain patterns of island occupancy, including random patterns, minimum area effects, maximum isolation effects, additive area and isolation effects and compensatory area and isolation effects.

Results  Five species of insectivorous bats (Pipistrellus hesperus, Myotis californicus, Macrotus californicus, Antrozous pallidus and Mormoops megalophylla) displayed minimum area thresholds on incidence. The probability of occurrence tended to decrease at moderate distances of isolation (c. 10–15 km) for these species (excepting A. pallidus). The distributions of two non‐insectivorous species (Leptonycteris curasoae and Myotis vivesi) were not influenced by island size and isolation.

Main conclusions  Minimum area thresholds on incidence suggest that island occupancy by insectivorous bats may be limited by resource requirements. Islands smaller than 100 ha typically did not support occupancy or use by insectivorous bats, except at minimal isolation distances. Insectivorous bat species may also be more sensitive to moderate levels of habitat isolation in some landscape contexts than previously expected. Our results suggest that differences in foraging habits may have important implications for understanding the distribution patterns of bats.
Trade Reform and Inequality: The Case of Mexico and Argentina in the 1990s
Authors: Acosta Pablo , Montes‐Rojas Gabriel V.
Published: May 2008

This paper provides empirical assessments of one of the leading explanations for the increase in skill premium in Mexico and Argentina during the 1990s: trade liberalisation. We present evidence showing that imports increase skill premium in Mexico, while exports reduce it. In Argentina, trade increased skill premium in the early 1990s (the beginning of trade reforms), although it reduced it later in the decade. These results are helpful for a comparison between South–South integration, FTAA or bilateral FTAs with Northern economies as alternative trade policy options for Latin American countries.
Are Union Wage Differentials in the United States Falling?
Authors: BLACKBURN MCKINLEY L.
Published: May 2008

This paper addresses several estimation and specification issues in estimating union wage differentials in the United States over the last two decades. Estimates provide strong evidence of a decline in the differential for women. For men, the differential appears to have declined for a person with overall average characteristics, but not for a male with characteristics of the average unionized male.
A Report on the Polish Labor Market: An Insider‐Outsider System
Authors: ZIENTARA PIOTR
Published: May 2008

In the last decade, Poland has seen a dramatic increase in unemployment. Even though, mainly due to mass emigration, it has fallen, of late, the joblessness rate is still highest in the EU. It is pointed out that the strictness of employment protection legislation and high nonwage labor costs are behind this disappointing performance. The present article argues, in light of the insider‐outsider theory that, due to the power of Poland's trade unions, a two‐tier system has emerged, favoring employees on open‐ended contracts and discriminating against job seekers. Unions, as classic insiders, thwart attempts to ease stringent fire‐and‐hire regulations to modify early‐retirement schemes and to reform the public sector, which risks affecting the country's socioeconomic development.
Effectiveness of Mediation Strategies in Collective Bargaining
Authors: MARTINEZ‐PECINO ROBERTO , MUNDUATE LOURDES , MEDINA FRANCISCO J. , EUWEMA MARTIN C.
Published: May 2008

Effectiveness of mediation strategies is analyzed in two different types of collective labor conflicts: rights conflicts and conflicts of interests. The sample consists of 106 professional labor mediators who completed a questionnaire about the strategies they used and the outcomes they achieved in their most recent mediation intervention. Results from regression analysis indicate that while the use of substantive and contextual strategies is positively related to effectiveness in both types of conflict, the use of reflexive strategies is negatively related to effectiveness, particularly in rights conflicts.
Osmophobia in Juvenile Primary Headaches
Authors: Corletto E , Dal Zotto L , Resos A , Tripoli E , Zanchin G , Bulfoni C , Battistella PA
Published: May 2008

This study was planned to investigate the prevalence of osmophobia in juvenile headache sufferers and to analyse the diagnostic utility of osmophobia in order to distinguish migraine without aura from episodic tension-type headache. We examined 305 consecutive patients presenting at our Paediatric Headache Centre. A semistructured questionnaire was given to 275 selected patients affected by migraine or tension-type headache. The prevalence of osmophobia during attacks was 18.5%, mainly in migraine patients (25.1%) vs. those with tension-type headache (8.3%). Osmophobia showed more specificity than phonophobia or photophobia in the differential diagnosis between migraine and tension-type headache. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that osmophobia resulted in a symptom with poor sensitivity (27.1%) but high specificity (92%) that could become a supportive diagnostic criterion even in children for the differential diagnosis between migraine without aura and tension-type headache.
Evaluation and Registration of Adverse Events in Clinical Drug Trials in Migraine
Authors: Tfelt-Hansen P , Bjarnason NH , Dahlöf C , Derry S , Loder E , Massiou H ,   for the Task Force on Adverse Events in Migraine Trials of the Subcommittee on Clinical Trial of the International Headache Society
Published: May 2008

Tolerability of a drug should be regarded as important as its efficacy. In all four phases of drug development evaluation of adverse events is important. Recommendations for assessment of adverse events in acute and prophylactic clinical drug trials in migraine are given. Tolerability may be indirectly assessed using measures of general well-being and eight such tools are presented. Finally, recommendations for reporting of adverse events are given.
Post-Traumatic Headache: From Classification Challenges to Biological Underpinnings
Authors: Lenaerts ME
Published: May 2008

The ICHD-II criteria for post-traumatic headache (PTH) are strictly outlined. PTH can be subdivided into an acute and a chronic forms, the former likely nociceptive in nature, the latter likely neuropathic. The time of transition between the acute and the chronic forms is artificial and in the future should be better based on clear clinical or rather biological data. Chronic PTH often presents as one of the primary headache syndromes, e.g. migraine or tensiontype headache. Its biology is poorly understood and whether it merely represents the expression of the primary headache or it has a distinct pathogenesis remains unclear. The frontal lobe is often affected in traumatic head injury. Its dysfunction can cause an array of clinical consequences that have an impact on the patient's symptomatology and therapeutic outcome. Its recognition is likely to improve patient management quality.
Cervicogenic Headache: Comparison with Migraine Without Aura; Vågå study
Authors: Sjaastad O
Published: May 2008

The prevalence of cervicogenic headache (CEH) is only vaguely known. Furthermore, it is a common belief that in migraine without aura (MwoA), neck symptoms frequently occur and that MwoA and CEH may pathogenetically be intimately related. In the Vågå study, 1838 18-65-year-old citizens (88.6± of that age group) were studied with face-to-face interviews and a thorough neck examination. For CEH, the Cervicogenic Headache International Study Group criteria were used, and for MwoA, the IHS criteria. The extent of cervical involvement was assessed by the ‘CF’ (‘features indicative of cervical abnormality’). CEH prevalence was 4.1±. ‘CF’ was 2.37 in CEH vs 0.93 in M-A. CEH criteria, e.g. mechanical attack provocation, were present many times more frequently in CEH than in MwoA. Conversely, migraine criteria, e.g. photophobia, were ≥ 2.6 times higher in MwoA than in CEH. CEH is unlikely to be a subgroup of MwoA.
Biological Markers of Cervicogenic Headache
Authors: Frese A , Evers S
Published: May 2008

Upper cervical pain is frequent in different primary headaches and not sufficient evidence for cervicogenic headache (CH). Biological markers should help to differentiate CH from other headache disorders. In most cases, imaging techniques of the cervical spine are not helpful for the diagnosis of CH. Symptoms and signs of neck involvement, such as a mechanical precipitation of attacks, a restriction in range of motion of the cervical spine, and the existence of ipsilateral neck, shoulder, or arm pain, seem to be reasonably valid for the diagnosis of CH, but its reliability and validity should be confirmed in larger studies. Positive diagnostic blockades of cervical structures or its nerve supply are not specific for CH. Neurophysiological investigations give some insight into the pathophysiological mechanisms of CH but are not diagnostic. In CH, calcitonin gene-related peptide levels do not differ between the symptomatic and the asymptomatic side, between the jugular and the cubital blood, and between days with and without headache. There is no evidence for an activation of the trigeminovascular system in CH. It can be concluded that CH is not just a migraine variant triggered by neck dysfunction but a functional entity.
Is A De Novo Whiplash-Associated Pain Most Commonly Cervicogenic Headache?
Authors: Vincent MB
Published: May 2008

Whiplash is a controversial concept. The real nature and prevalence of whiplash-related headaches are not known. To address this issue, the history of severe trauma was collected from occipital/nuchal headache-cervicogenic headache, migraine and tension-type headache patients attending a neurology office. The two last groups of patients had significantly less history of trauma in their medical records, with longer time span between the injury and the headache onset. Whiplash may induce preferably cervicogenic and tension-type headaches.
Surgical Treatment of Cervicogenic Headache
Authors: Jansen J
Published: May 2008

In the present work, the late results of operative treatment on 60 patients, suffering from long lasting severe unilateral ( n = 32) or bilateral ( n = 28) cervicogenic headache, non-responsive to other treatment options, will be summarized. Cervicogenic headache (CEH) was diagnosed according to ‘The Cervicogenic Headache International Study Group’ guidelines. The cervical levels of affection were determined by neurological examination, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), anaesthetic blockades and X-ray diagnostics. The levels mainly operated on were at the C4/5, C5/6 and C6/7; one or two discs were removed. Immediately postoperatively there was pain freedom. Sixty-three per cent of the unilateral and 64± of the bilateral cases enjoyed long lasting pain freedom or improvement (> 50±). The mean observation time was 19.8 and 25.5 months, respectively. After secondary deterioration (in 37± of patients with unilateral and in 36± with bilateral CEH) and further treatments, the final mean improvement was 73± and 66±, respectively. Well-selected CEH patients may benefit from surgical intervention.
The Belgrade dermatovenereologic moulage collection: past and present
Authors: Medenica L , Lalevic‐Vasic B , Skiljevic DS
Published: May 2008

The Belgrade dermatovenereologic moulge collection is formed during the period between 1925 and 1958, with one break between 1940 and 1950. The first moulages have been created after the foundation of the Belgrade University's School of Medicine and the Institute of Dermatology and Venereology (IDV), when this form of education became very significant. The collection is now comprised of 350 moulages, of which 280 pieces are completely preserved, whereas 70 are previously damaged. This article describes the work of two authors of moulages: one was Dr. Sergej Pavlovic Alisov, physician, amateur sculptor and painter, and the other was academic sculptor Vojislav Sikoparija. Wide variety of presented cases of skin and venereal diseases have been analysed; before World War I, there was a high proportion and florid pathology of venereal diseases and leprosy, whereas after World War II, these diseases became infrequent. Moulages at the IDV display high authenticity, which in some cases, made possible the correction of original diagnosis according to current criteria. Moulages represent a very significant subject of medical profession, and the need of an expert opinion on the conservation and reparation of moulages, which could be implemented by those in possession of such collections, is emphasized.
Serotonergic potentiation of dark pulse‐induced phase‐shifting effects at midday in hamsters
Authors: Mendoza Jorge , Clesse Daniel , Pévet Paul , Challet Etienne
Published: May 2008

In mammals, resetting of the suprachiasmatic clock (SCN) by behavioral activation or serotonin (5‐HT) agonists is mimicked by dark pulses, presented during subjective day in constant light (LL). Because behavioral resetting may be mediated in part by 5‐HT inputs to the SCN, here we determined whether 5‐HT system can modulate dark‐induced phase‐shifts in Syrian hamsters housed in LL. Two hours of darkness at mid‐subjective day (circadian time 6; CT‐6) resulted in increased concentrations of 5‐HT in the SCN tissue and induction of c‐FOS expression in the raphe nuclei. Injections of the 5‐HT1A/7 agonist (+)8‐OH‐DPAT or dark pulses at CT‐6 induced phase‐advances of the wheel‐running activity rhythm and down‐regulated the expression of the clock genes Per1‐2 and c‐FOS in the SCN in a similar way. The combination of both treatments [(+)8‐OH‐DPAT + dark pulses], however, resulted in larger phase‐advances, while associated molecular changes were not significantly modified, except for the gene Dbp, in comparison to (+)8‐OH‐DPAT or dark pulses alone. Dark resetting was blocked by pre‐treatment with a 5‐HT7 antagonist, but not with a 5‐HT1A antagonist. The additive phase‐shifts of two different cues to reset the SCN clock open wide the gateway for non‐photic shifting, leading to new strategies in chronotherapy.
Did the Federal Crop Insurance Reform Act Alter Farm Enterprise Diversification?
Authors: O’Donoghue Erik J. , Roberts Michael J. , Key Nigel
Published: May 2008

We estimate how much United States farms changed enterprise diversification in response to a marked increase in crop insurance coverage brought about by the 1994 Federal Crop Insurance Reform Act, which substantially increased insurance subsidies. The analysis exploits farm‐level panel census data to compare farm‐specific changes in enterprise diversification over time. By examining diversification decisions of the same farms over time, we control for time‐invariant unobserved individual heterogeneity. We then use pooled cross‐sectional data from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Resource Management Survey to estimate the relationship between farm diversification and average returns. We find that the insurance subsidies caused a modest increase in enterprise specialisation and production efficiency. Estimated efficiency gains are far less than the subsidies.
Electrochemical Behavior of Gel‐Derived Lanthanum Calcium Cobalt Ferrite Cathode in Contact with LAMOX Electrolyte
Authors: Jin Tsu‐Yung , Tsai Dah‐Shyang , Chung Wen‐Hung , Liu Feng‐Jiin
Published: May 2008

The electrochemical performance and structural features of (La1−yCay)(CoxFe1−x)O3 cathode prepared via a citrate acid gel route are studied when it is interfaced with the (La1.8Dy0.2)(Mo2−zWz)O9 electrolyte. The resistance and chemical capacitance of a low‐frequency arc are extracted from the impedance results to evaluate its catalytic activity in oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). (La0.75Ca0.25)(Co0.8Fe0.2)O3 cathode exhibits the minimum area‐specific resistance of 0.9 Ω cm2 and maximum capacitance of 5.7 mF/cm2 at 800°C among the compositions of x=0.1–0.9 and y=0.25. As the Co content increases, the decrease in resistance outweighs the increase in capacitance so that the product of resistance and capacitance (RC time constant) decreases. In contrast, when varying the Ca content of the A‐site, the changes in resistance and the capacitance compensate each other; hence the RC time constant is virtually unchanged with respect to the calcium content. Thus, Co is a more influential element than Ca on the ORR catalytic activity. The pore structure study reveals a small amount of Mo diffuses from the electrolyte into the cathode, and its quantity is reduced when interfaced to an electrolyte of high W content.