bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of establishment and persistence of entomopathogenic nematodes for biological control of western corn rootworm
Authors: Kurtz B. , Toepfer S. , Ehlers R.‐U. , Kuhlmann U.
Published: July 2007

Abstract:  The use of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) is potentially one ecological approach to control the invasive alien western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte, Col., Chrysomelidae) in Europe. This study investigated the establishment and the short‐ and long‐term persistence of Heterorhabditis bacteriophora Poinar (Rhabditida: Heterorhabditidae), Heterorhabditis megidis Poinar, Jackson and Klein (Rh., Heterorhabditidae) and Steinernema feltiae Filipjev (Rh., Steinernematidae) in three maize fields in southern Hungary, using the insect‐baiting technique. All three EPN species equally established and persisted in maize fields. The timing of application (April or June) did not influence the establishment of EPN species. EPNs persisted for 2–5 months, i.e. they survived up to and throughout D. v. virgifera larval occurrence in the soil. Results demonstrate that D. v. virgifera larvae can potentially be controlled by EPNs during the same year of EPN application but no long‐term control effect is expected under intensive maize cultivation practices.
Juvenile densities relative to water regime in mainstem reservoirs of the Tennessee River, USA
Authors: Miranda L. E. , Lowery D. R.
Published: July 2007

Successful reproduction and development of strong year classes of fish in storage reservoirs are commonly associated with reproductive seasons of high water level and extensive flooding. Responses to flooding are likely to be less pronounced or altogether different in mainstem navigation reservoirs that experience limited water level fluctuation. In these reservoirs, water regime characteristics such as timing of flooding, instability of water level, and water retention could supersede the effects of water level. We examined existing data to identify aspects of the water regime that have detectable consequence on juveniles of selected taxa in a sequence of four reservoirs of the Tennessee River that exhibited relatively small annual rises. Empirical models relating density of selected age‐0 centrarchids to water regime suggested that descriptors of spring and summer flow through the reservoirs, water level instability, and summer water level were better related to juvenile densities than was spring water level. Different water regimes had different effects on the study species, and presumably other species in the fish communities. Therefore, a diversity of water regimes rather than a rigid rule curve is likely most beneficial to the long‐term permanence of the fish assemblages of the study reservoirs. Fixed rule curves produce drawdown zones devoid of vegetation consisting primarily of mudflats of limited ecological value to floodplain species, and maintenance of water levels within the rule curve force operational drops and rises that adversely affect littoral spawners. In developing water management plans, regulatory agencies should consider incorporating managed randomness into rule curves.
The participation of adenosine receptors in the adenosine 5′‐triphosphate‐induced relaxation in the isolated rabbit corpus cavernosum penis
Authors: Kataoka Kazuyoshi , Furukawa Katsuo , Nagao Kohichi , Ishii Nobuhisa , Tsuru Hiromichi
Published: July 2007

Aim: To investigate the participation of adenosine receptors in the adenosine 5′‐triphosphate (ATP)‐induced relaxation in the corpus cavernosum penis (CCP) of rabbits.

Methods: The ATP‐induced relaxation was assessed on the noradrenaline precontracted CCP of rabbits in the presence and absence of 8‐(3‐chlorostyryl)caffeine (CSC); an adenosine A2Areceptor antagonist; alloxazine and MRS1754; adenosine A2Breceptor antagonists; and ARL67156, an inhibitor of ecto‐nucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolases.

Results: Adenosine and ATP relaxed the noradrenaline precontracted CCP of rabbits in a concentration‐dependent manner. The adenosine‐ and ATP‐induced relaxations were suppressed by alloxazine and MRS1754, but not by 8‐(3‐chlorostyryl)caffeine. ARL67156 potentiated the ATP‐induced relaxation but not the adenosine‐induced one. MRS1754 suppressed the ATP‐induced relaxation potentiated by ARL67156.

Conclusions: The above results suggest that, in the CCP of rabbits, the adenosine receptor mediating adenosine‐induced relaxation is of the A2Breceptor and the ATP directly causes relaxation through the A2Breceptor on the CCP.
Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy in children: Results and short‐term complications
Authors: da Cunha Lima João Paulo , Duarte Ricardo Jordão , Cristofani Lílian Maria , Srougi Miguel
Published: July 2007

Aim:  The introduction of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy represented an important evolution in urinary tract lithiasis management. The aim of this study is to describe the results of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for the treatment of urinary tract lithiasis in children, focusing on the index of elimination of the calculi and the complications occurring during the procedure and during the following three months.

Methods:  From September 1991 to July 2002, 135 children between one and 12 years, suffering from urinary tract lithiasis underwent extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy. A retrospective analysis of these patients was carried out.

Results:  One hundred and ninety‐five calculi ranging in size from 5.0 mm to 20.0 mm were treated, out of which 147 were found in the kidneys and 48 in the ureter. Urinary tract dilation was presented by 30% of the children at the time of the procedure. After extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy 75.8% of the calculi were eliminated: 64.1% were stone‐free and 11.7% had ≤ 4 mm stones. Ureteral calculi and 5–10 mm stones responded better than the kidney and 11–20 mm stones (P = 0.027 and P = 0.012, respectively). No differences were detected according to the calculi location, whether in the ureter or kidney (P = 0.637 and P = 0.703, respectively). The shock wave intensity of 14kv was as efficient as the higher voltage. Short‐term complications were observed in 23.7%, characterized by fever and pain.

Conclusion:  In children, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy proved to be able to eliminate 75.8% of the treated calculi and 83.7% of the patients presented a complete or partial response. Complications were observed in 23.7% of patients, and pain was the most frequent symptom.
Improved isometric force endurance after transcranial direct current stimulation over the human motor cortical areas
Authors: Cogiamanian F. , Marceglia S. , Ardolino G. , Barbieri S. , Priori A.
Published: July 2007

Neuromuscular fatigue is the exercise‐dependent decrease in the ability of muscle fibres to generate force. To investigate whether manipulation of brain excitability by transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS; 1.5 mA, 10 min, 0.026 C/cm2) modulates neuromuscular fatigue, we evaluated the effect of brain polarization over the right motor areas of the cerebral cortex of healthy subjects on the endurance time for a submaximal isometric contraction of left elbow flexors. In 24 healthy volunteers the study protocol comprised an assessment of the maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) for the left elbow flexors and a fatiguing isometric contraction (35% of MVC), before and immediately after brain polarization. One hour elapsed between baseline (T0) and postconditioning (T1) evaluation. After tDCS, MVC remained unchanged from baseline (mean ± SEM; anodal tDCS: T0, 154.4 ± 18.07; T1, 142.8 ± 16.62 N; cathodal tDCS: T0, 156 ± 18.75; T1, 141.86 ± 17.53 N; controls: T0, 148.8 ± 6.64; T1, 137.6 ± 7.36 N; P > 0.1). Conversely, endurance time decreased significantly less after anodal than after cathodal tDCS or no stimulation (−21.1 ± 5.5%, −35.7 ± 3.3% and −39.3 ± 3.3%, respectively; P < 0.05). None of the evaluated electromyographic variables changed after tDCS. Anodal tDCS could improve endurance time by directly modulating motor cortical excitability, modulating premotor areas, decreasing fatigue‐related muscle pain, increasing motivation and improving synergist muscle coupling. Our findings, showing that anodal tDCS over the motor areas of the cerebral cortex improves muscle endurance, open the way to increasing muscle endurance and decreasing muscle fatigue in normal (i.e. sports medicine) and pathological conditions.
Erythropoietin and carbamylated erythropoietin are neuroprotective following spinal cord hemisection in the rat
Authors: King V. R. , Averill S. A. , Hewazy D. , Priestley J. V. , Torup Lars , Michael‐Titus A. T.
Published: July 2007

The cytokine erythropoietin (EPO) has been shown to be neuroprotective in a variety of models of central and peripheral nervous system injury. Derivatives of EPO that lack its erythropoietic effects have recently been developed, and the initial reports suggest that they have a neuroprotective potential comparable to that of EPO. One such derivative is carbamylated EPO (CEPO). In the current study we compared the effects of treatment with EPO and CEPO on some of the early neurodegenerative events that occur following spinal cord injury (SCI) induced by hemisection. Adult male Wistar rats received a unilateral hemisection of the spinal cord. Thirty minutes and 24 h following injury, animals received an intraperitoneal injection of saline, EPO (40 µg/kg) or CEPO (40 µg/kg). Results indicated that 3 days post‐injury, both CEPO and EPO decreased to a similar extent the size of the lesion compared with control animals. Both compounds also decreased the number of terminal transferase‐mediated dUTP nick‐end labelling (TUNEL)‐labelled apopotic nuclei around the lesion site, as well as the number of axons expressing the injury marker β‐amyloid precursor protein. EPO and CEPO also increased Schwann cell infiltration into the lesion site, although neither compound had any effect on macrophage infiltration either within the lesion site itself or in the surrounding intact tissue. In addition, immunohistochemistry showed an increased expression of both the EPO receptor and the β common receptor subunit, the components of the receptor complex proposed to mediate the neuroprotective effects of EPO and CEPO in neurons near the site of the injury. The results show that not only does CEPO have an efficacy comparable to that of EPO in its neuroprotective potential following injury, but also that changes in the receptors for these compounds following SCI may underlie their neuroprotective efficacy.
Novel genes differentially expressed in cortical regions during late neurogenesis
Authors: Mühlfriedel Sven , Kirsch Friederike , Gruss Peter , Chowdhury Kamal , Stoykova Anastassia
Published: July 2007

Differential gene expression across the embryonic cerebral cortex is assumed to play a role in the subdivision of the cortex into distinct areas with specific morphology, physiology and function. In a search for genes that may be involved in the cortical regionalization during late neurogenesis in mouse, we performed an extensive in‐situ expression analysis at embryonic day (E)16 and E18. The examined candidate genes were selected beforehand by a microarray screen by virtue of their preferential expression in the anlagen of the motor, somatosensory, visual and cingulate cortices or hippocampus. We present new information about graded or regionally enriched expression of 25 genes (nine of which are novel genes) across the mouse embryonic cortex, in progenitor cells as well as in the cortical plate. The established differential expression of most of these genes is persistent at both stages studied, suggesting that their expression is regulated by an intrinsic programme. For some of the genes, the concept of intrinsic regulation is further substantiated by the high similarity of the reported expression patterns at E16 and E18 and published data from earlier stages. Few genes with robust expression in the E16 caudal cortex showed a more restricted pattern at E18, possibly because of their response to extrinsic cues. In addition, several genes appeared to be suitable novel markers for amygdalar and diencephalic nuclei. Taken together, our findings reveal novel molecular partitions of the late mouse cortex that are in accordance with the model of a leading role of intrinsic mechanisms in cortical arealization.
The phylogeny of endolithic microbes associated with marine basalts
Authors: Mason Olivia U. , Stingl Ulrich , Wilhelm Larry J. , Moeseneder Markus M. , Di Meo‐Savoie Carol A. , Fisk Martin R. , Giovannoni Stephen J.
Published: July 2007

We examined the phylogenetic diversity of microbial communities associated with marine basalts, using over 300 publicly available 16S rDNA sequences and new sequence data from basalt enrichment cultures. Phylogenetic analysis provided support for 11 monophyletic clades originating from ocean crust (sediment, basalt and gabbro). Seven of the ocean crust clades (OCC) are bacterial, while the remaining four OCC are in the Marine Group I (MGI) Crenarchaeota. Most of the OCC were found at diverse geographic sites, suggesting that these microorganisms have cosmopolitan distributions. One OCC in the Crenarchaeota consisted of sequences derived entirely from basalts. The remaining OCC were found in both basalts and sediments. The MGI Crenarchaeota were observed in all studies where archaeal diversity was evaluated. These results demonstrate that basalts are occupied by cosmopolitan clades of microorganisms that are also found in marine sediments but are distinct from microorganisms found in other marine habitats, and that one OCC in the ubiquitous MGI Crenarchaeota clade may be an ecotype specifically adapted to basalt.
Changes in Ownership Concentration in Mass Privatised Firms: evidence from Poland and the Czech Republic
Authors: Grosfeld Irena , Hashi Iraj
Published: July 2007

We analyse the changes in ownership concentration in firms included in two mass privatisation programmes in Poland and the Czech Republic. We find that despite important differences in the design of the two privatisation schemes and despite different quality of regulatory environments, the ownership structure emerging 4–5 years after the initial distribution of assets is remarkably similar in the two countries. Ownership concentration defined as the share of the largest equity holder has significantly increased. Exploring the determinants of ownership concentration, we check whether such revealed preference for higher participation in firm equity does not hide different motivations and behaviour of investors. Our results reveal interesting differences between the two countries: in the Czech Republic the increase in ownership concentration was less likely in poorly performing firms, while in Poland the quality of past performance did not affect investors' willingness to increase their holdings. This contrasting result may reflect the difference in the quality of laws and regulations in Poland and in the Czech Republic. In the Czech Republic, where tunnelling was a common practice in the period covered by our study, shareholders increasing their stakes in a company could have been motivated by the objective of extracting value rather than by the willingness to impose a specific direction on the way the firm is managed. This might explain why they prefer to increase their control in those companies which perform well rather than those that perform poorly.
Non‐audit Services and Bias and Accuracy of Voluntary Earnings Forecasts Reviewed by Incumbent CPAs
Authors: Chin Chen‐Lung , Tsao Shou‐Min , Chi Hsin‐Yi
Published: July 2007

This paper examines the association between the quality of voluntary earnings forecasts, as measured by forecast bias and accuracy reviewed by an incumbent CPAs, and the purchase of non‐audit services (NAS) from the incumbent auditor. In the context of this study, we focus primarily on the Taiwanese market. Unlike in the UK and US, management forecasts must be reviewed by the incumbent CPA in Taiwan. Besides, enforcement of rules with regard to the provision of review‐level assurance for management earnings forecasts tends to be less stringent than one of audit‐level assurance for financial reporting. Using panel data of audit and non‐audit fees available for Taiwanese firms, we find that firms with a high ratio of NAS tend to issue more optimistically biased and inaccurate forecasts under a lower auditor liability regime. These results provide some support for concerns expressed about the potential impact of unusually high levels of NAS on auditor independence and ultimately, the quality of audited financial reports. The findings also suggest that examining the auditor, and in particular, the provision of non‐audit services, in isolation of an institutional environment provides an incomplete analysis of financial reporting.
Efficiency Measurement with the Weibull Stochastic Frontier*
Authors: Tsionas Efthymios G.
Published: July 2007

In this paper we consider the Weibull distribution as a model for technical efficiency. The distribution has a shape and scale parameter like the gamma distribution and can be a reasonable competitor in practice. The techniques are illustrated using artificial data as well as a panel of Spanish dairy farms.
Labour market adjustment a hundred years ago: the case of the Catalan textile industry, 1880–19131
Authors: DOMENECH JORDI
Published: July 2007

This paper studies the way workers and firms behaved in a highly cyclical sector such as the Catalan cotton textile industry. Using firm level evidence from the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the paper shows that, in spite of weak unionization and the lack of regional or local collective bargaining institutions, piece rates in cotton spinning and weaving were not subject to competitive rate cuts and remained fixed over the cycle. When facing a negative demand shock, firms adjusted by reducing output, hours of work, labour productivity, and employment. The paper finally evaluates the possible sources of wage rigidity in the industry.
Private transnational governance in the heyday of the nation‐state: the Council of European Industrial Federations (CEIF)1
Authors: ROLLINGS NEIL , KIPPING MATTHIAS
Published: July 2007

This article examines an example of private transnational governance in the first decades after the Second World War: the Council of European Industrial Federations (CEIF), created in 1949 by the peak‐level trade associations in western Europe. Based on this case, the article takes issue with two predominant views in the current literature: a view that sees the European integration process, at least in its early stages, as driven largely by nation‐states and political agendas; and another view, widespread among business and economic historians, that contacts between business associations at that time served the main purpose of re‐establishing international cartels. The CEIF actually performed a wide variety of functions: it represented organized business at international events and in organizations, acted as a multilateral arena for the exchange of information and for building trust among the businesspeople of various European countries, and, from 1958 onwards, helped bridge the divide between those inside and those outside the Common Market. On occasions, for example, in the case of export incentives, it even managed to forge a consensus for policy action when national governments were unable to agree.
Debt financing, soft budget constraints, and government ownership Evidence from China1
Authors: Tian Lihui , Estrin Saul
Published: July 2007

Debt financing is expected to improve the quality of corporate governance, but we find, using a large sample of public listed companies (PLCs) from China, that an increase in bank loans increases the size of managerial perks and free cash flows and decreases corporate efficiency. We find that bank lending facilitates managerial exploitation of corporate wealth in government‐controlled firms, but constrains managerial agency costs in firms controlled by private owners. We argue that the failure of corporate governance may derive from the shared government ownership of lenders and borrowers, which nurtures soft budget constraints.
Class in construction: London building workers, dirty work and physical cultures1
Authors: Thiel Darren
Published: July 2007

Descriptions of manual employment tend to ignore its diversity and overstate the homogenizing effects of technology and industrialization. Based on ethnographic research on a London construction site, building work was found to be shaped by the forms of a pre‐industrial work pattern characterized by task autonomy and freedom from managerial control. The builders' identities were largely free from personal identification as working class, and collective identification was fractured by trade status, and ethnic and gender divisions. Yet the shadow of a class‐based discursive symbolism, which centered partly on the division of minds/bodies, mental/manual, and clean/dirty work, framed their accounts, identities and cultures. The builders displayed what is frequently termed working‐class culture, and it was highly masculine. This physical and bodily‐centered culture shielded them from the possible stigmatization of class and provided them with a source of localized capital. ‘Physical capital’ in conjunction with social capital (the builders' networks of friends and family) had largely guided their position in the stratification system, and values associated with these forms of capital were paramount to their public cultures. This cultural emphasis offered a continuing functionality in the builders' lives, not having broken free from tradition or becoming an object of reflexive choice.
Generational affinities and discourses of difference: a case study of highly skilled information technology workers1
Authors: McMullin Julie Ann , Duerden Comeau Tammy , Jovic Emily
Published: July 2007

Sociologists theorizing the concept of ‘generation’ have traditionally looked to birth cohorts sharing major social upheavals such as war or decolonization to explain issues of generational solidarity and identity affiliation. More recently, theorists have drawn attention to the cultural elements where generations are thought to be formed through affinities with music or other types of popular culture during the ‘coming of age’ stage of life. In this paper, we ask whether developments in computer technology, which have both productive and cultural components, provide a basis for generational formation and identity and whether generational discourse is invoked to create cultures of difference in the workplace. Qualitative data from a sample of Information Technology workers show that these professionals mobilize ‘generational’ discourse and draw upon notions of ‘generational affinity’ with computing technology (e.g. the fact that people of different ages were immersed to varying degrees in different computing technologies) in explaining the youthful profile of IT workers and employees' differing levels of technological expertise.
Estimating species' absence, colonization and local extinction in patchy landscapes: an application of occupancy models with rodents
Authors: Mortelliti A. , Boitani L.
Published: July 2007

Making an inference on the absence of a species in a site is often problematic, due to detection probability being, in most cases, <1. Inference is more complicated if detection probability, together with distribution patterns, vary during the year, since the possibility of inferring a species absence, at reasonable costs, may be possible only in certain periods. Our aim here is to show how such challenging situations can be by tackled by applying some recently developed occupancy models combined with sample size (number of repeated surveys) estimation. We thus analysed the distribution of two rodents Myodes glareolus and Mus musculus domesticus in a fragmented landscape in central Italy pointing out how it is possible to identify true absences, non‐detections, extinctions/colonizations and determine seasonal values of detection probability.
Isolation of 22 new Haliaeetus microsatellite loci and their characterization in the critically endangered Madagascar fish‐eagle (Haliaeetus vociferoides) and three other Haliaeetus eagle species
Authors: TINGAY RUTH E. , DAWSON DEBORAH A. , PANDHAL JAGROOP , CLARKE MICHÈLE L. , DAVID VICTOR A. , HAILER FRANK , CULVER MELANIE
Published: July 2007

We isolated a total of 22 microsatellite loci from two Haliaeetus species: the Madagascar fish‐eagle (Haliaeetus vociferoides) and the bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus). Five loci were monomorphic in both the Madagascar fish‐eagle (n = 24–43) and the bald eagle (n = 2–8) but were found to be polymorphic in other Haliaeetus species. Haliaeetus loci have proved useful for investigating gene flow in Haliaeetus and Aquila eagles. Ten loci were polymorphic in the critically endangered Madagascar fish‐eagle and will be used to investigate the genetic population structure and mating system in this species.
Overview of adverse reactions to nefopam: an analysis of the French Pharmacovigilance database
Authors: Durrieu G. , Olivier P. , Bagheri H. , Montastruc J.L. ,   and the French Network of Pharmacovigilance Centers
Published: July 2007

Nefopam is widely used for the relief of moderate acute pain. Its safety profile remains to be specified. The objective of the study was to review adverse reactions to nefopam spontaneously reported to the French Pharmacovigilance system. All cases of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) associated with nefopam, registered in the French Pharmacovigilance database from January 1, 1995 to December 31, 2004, were reviewed. For each reported ADR, information about patient (age, gender, medical history), drug exposure (suspected and concomitantly used drugs), characteristics of ADRs (imputability score, time of onset, seriousness, outcome) were collected. A total of 114 ADRs with an imputability rated from ‘plausible’ (I2) to ‘likely’ (I3) and ‘very likely’ (I4) was analysed. The most frequent ADRs included ‘expected’ ADRs such as sweating, nausea, tachycardia, malaise or vomiting; 61 ADRs were ‘unexpected. No overdose was reported; 26 ADRs (23%) were considered as ‘serious’. Most of them were ‘unexpected’, including neuropsychiatric (hallucinations, convulsions) or cutaneous (pruritus, erythema, urticaria) ADRs. Six cases of anaphylactic ADRs (two angioedema and four anaphylactic shocks) were reported, all occurring shortly after use of nefopam during the post‐operative period. Physicians should be aware of the possible occurrence of some serious ADRs when using nefopam such as convulsions and anaphylactic shocks, especially when the drug is used in special medical conditions, like post‐operative periods.
Determination of ABCB1 polymorphisms and haplotypes frequencies in a French population
Authors: Jeannesson Elise , Albertini Laetitia , Siest Gérard , Gomes Ana‐Margarida , Ribeiro Vera , Aslanidis Charalampos , Schmitz Gerd , Visvikis‐Siest Sophie
Published: July 2007

The ATP‐binding cassette (ABC) transporter ABCB1, or P‐glycoprotein, is a transmembrane efflux pump well known for its implication in drug transport and chemoresistance. ABCB1 substrates include either drugs, such as antiretrovirals and immunomodulators, or physiological molecules like phospholipids. Pharmacogenetic analysis of ABCB1 polymorphisms, in addition to other xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes, might help to personalize and optimize drug therapy. Indeed, some polymorphisms of ABCB1 have been implicated in susceptibility to diseases, changes in drug pharmacokinetics, and in variation of the biological response to drug treatment. In addition, variant and haplotype distributions differ depending on ethnicity. Thus, some ethnies may be at higher risk for adverse events, inefficacy of treatment or prevalence of pathologies. This study aimed to determine frequencies of ABCB1 polymorphisms and haplotypes in a sample of French healthy individuals. DNA was isolated from blood‐EDTA. Polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphism and TaqMan single nucleotide polymorphism genotyping assays were used to genotype 227 individuals for T‐129C, G‐1A, A61G, G1199A, C1236T, T‐76A, G2677T/A and C3435T polymorphisms. The observed frequencies of the variant allele for these eight polymorphisms are 0.04, 0.08, 0.09, 0.06, 0.42, 0.46, 0.45 and 0.46 respectively. These polymorphisms are in linkage disequilibrium and haplotype frequencies were determined, the most frequent haplotype being the one with variants at position 1236, 2677 and 3435 and wild‐type alleles at the other positions. Finally, the frequencies of these eight ABCB1 polymorphisms in our French individuals supposed to be healthy population are quite similar to those described in other Caucasian populations except for the C3435T polymorphism.
Within‐ and between‐year variation in the juvenile survival of Common GuillemotsUria aalge
Authors: HARRIS MICHAEL P. , FREDERIKSEN MORTEN , WANLESS SARAH
Published: July 2007

We studied juvenile survival of 20 cohorts of Common GuillemotUria aalgechicks colour‐ringed on the Isle of May, Scotland, using both live observations at the colony and dead recoveries, allowing estimation of fidelity to the colony as well as survival. In this seabird, chicks leave the colony when only partly grown and are cared for by the male parent for several weeks afterwards. First‐year survival varied strongly between cohorts, with a mean of 56% (range 30–91%). We did not identify any covariates which could explain this variation, whether relating to climate, population size or prey density. Survival was low during two regime shift episodes in the North Sea (1987–90 and 2000 onwards). Early hatched chicks were substantially more likely to survive than those hatching later in most years, whereas body condition at ringing had no detectable effect. Ringing recoveries indicated that mortality was highest in mid‐winter, i.e. well after the cessation of paternal care. These results do not support the hypothesis that variation in prey quantity or energy content before fledging is a primary driver of variation in juvenile survival. Rather, it seems that chicks of high‐quality parents are more likely to survive, as high‐quality females tend to lay earlier in the season, and high‐quality males presumably are better able to prepare their chicks to survive their first winter at sea. Very few (4%) Guillemots emigrated permanently before age 3 years, but from age 5 onwards 25–30% of birds annually left the colony or otherwise became unobservable.
Questionnaire development: face validity and item impact testing of the Child Oral Health Impact Profile
Authors: Broder Hillary L. , McGrath Colman , Cisneros George J.
Published: July 2007

Objective:  The Child Oral Health Impact Profile (COHIP) was designed to assess oral‐facial well‐being in school‐age children as reported by the child and via proxy report from a caregiver. This article describes the development of the COHIP using a multi‐staged impact approach recommended by Guyatt et al. (Quality of life and pharmacoeconomics in clinical trials. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott‐Raven; 1996. p. 41).

Methods:  There were multiple phases to the development of the questionnaire: (i) initial pool of items developed from the literature and expert review; (ii) face validity of items; (iii) impact evaluation of the initial item pool; (iv) development of positive items and face validity of new items; (v) impact evaluation of the revised questionnaire and (vi) factor analysis and final revision of the questionnaire. Factor analysis was completed on the final questionnaire using data from the impact evaluation in order to evaluate whether the COHIP measured independent conceptual domains.

Results:  Factor analysis identified five domains: oral health, functional well‐being, social/emotional well‐being, school environment and self‐image. Readability was calculated using the Flesch‐Kinkaid readability score that was finalized at a 3.5 grade reading level. Finally, two response sets, and a revised format (e.g., including pictures, increasing font size, and shading every other item) were implemented to decrease respondent fatigue and increase accuracy of participant responses.

Conclusions:  The final questionnaire consisted of 34 items and five conceptually distinct subscales: oral health, functional well‐being, social/emotional well‐being, school environment and self‐image. Subsequent papers present the validity and reliability of the COHIP.
Application of the Dental Hygiene Human Needs Conceptual Model and the Oral Health‐Related Quality of Life Model to the dental hygiene curriculum in Japan
Authors: Sato Y , Saito A , Nakamura‐Miura A , Kato E , Cathcart G
Published: July 2007

Abstract:  This paper reports the incorporation of the Dental Hygiene Human Needs Conceptual Model (DHHN) and the Oral Health‐Related Quality of Life Model (OHRQL) into a dental hygiene curriculum in Japan. A simulated patient practice was offered to 67 dental hygiene students. In the practice activity, all students were introduced to the use of an OHRQL assessment tool. A DHHN assessment tool was utilized additionally only by the experimental student group. The statistical analysis of the post‐practice survey showed that the OHRQL instrument was more helpful in assessment and problem identification than the DHHN instrument. By contrast, text‐based analysis of dental hygiene diagnostic statements showed that the experimental group identified more domains of patients’ human needs deficits than the control group. This suggested the possibility that the DHHN model helped them to see patients from broader perspectives. However, it was difficult for students to design care plans attending to the domains of the models. Also, in considerations to the cultural issues, the validity and equivalence of the Japanese versions of both models should be further investigated. Within the limitation of the present study, the results suggested that incorporation of the combination of the DHHN and OHRQL models can be useful in a dental hygiene curriculum, as each tool helps students expand the perspective from which they view client. Further improvements in learning strategies should facilitate the effective utilization of these models.
Oral health care for children attending a malnutrition clinic in South Africa
Authors: Gordon N
Published: July 2007

Abstract:  Most health problems dealt with at a primary care level have an oral health impact, making it vital for oral health services to find means to integrate with other facility‐based programmes at primary health care (PHC) centres.

Aim:  1) To determine the oral status of the children attending a facility‐based nutrition programme and the oral health knowledge, attitude and practices of their parents/caregivers; and 2) To develop a framework for an oral health component to complement this programme.

Method:  A descriptive study of children and their parents/caregivers attending a facility‐based nutrition programme (n = 60 children). A structured, administered questionnaire for parents/caregivers and an oral examination for the children was used for data collection.

Findings:  The response rate was 82% (n = 49). Most parents start cleaning their children’s mouths between 12 and 24 months (64%), add sugar to food and feeding bottles, and visit a dentist only when the child is symptomatic. These factors clearly place this group at risk for developing dental caries and gingivitis. Their malnutrition status/history increases their risk of oral diseases. The oral examination found plaque deposits, gingivitis, caries and ‘white spots’.

Conclusion:  This study clearly shows the need for an oral health component for children attending the facility‐based nutrition programme. Promotion, prevention and therapeutical oral care can be maximized by the involvement of a wide range of stakeholders and an interdisciplinary approach. This shows an expanded role for the dental team with specific reference the oral hygienist in such an environment.
Dental Adhesion and the All‐Bond System
Authors: III John Kanca
Published: July 2007

The All‐Bond dentin enamel bonding system is designed to be used for most dental applications when adhesion is needed. It is claimed that the system will bond to most surfaces encountered in the intraoral environment. This report examines the results obtained when the All‐Bond dentln‐enamel bonding system is used to bond to enamel, dentin, porcelain, and three types of metals. Special emphasis is placed on the fact that this material bonds to wet dentin surfaces. This has heretofore been considered impossible. The phosphoric acid etchant allows simultaneous treatment of the dentin and enamel surfaces, thus simplifying the procedure and reducing technique sensitivity.
Microleakage between Composite Resin and Basing Materials
Authors: Chan Kai Chiu
Published: July 2007

This study investigated the microleakage between a composite resin restorative material and six basing materials. Cavities were prepared in polymerized composite resin samples and “restored” with Cavitec, Life, Ketac‐Bond, BaseLine, Cavalite, and VLC Dycal. The samples were thermocycled and immersed in 0.05 percent crystal violet solution for 2 hours, then embedded in clear casting resin, sectioned and examined with an optical microscope. Our results indicated that Cavalite and VLC Dycal allowed no dye penetration. Cavitec and Life had a moderate degree of dye penetration and Ketac‐Bond and BaseLine had a relatively high degree of penetration.
Poetry, Fame and Scandal: The Cases of Byron and Landon
Authors: Knowles Claire
Published: July 2007

Explorations of romantic‐era literary celebrity have become increasingly popular in recent years. Byron, regarded by many as the first truly ‘modern’ literary celebrity, is often deployed as a key figure in these studies. However, rather than focussing entirely on Byron, in this article I compare aspects of his experiences of poetic celebrity with those of Letitia Elizabeth Landon. I argue that gender often plays a significant role in the way in which contemporary fame translates into posthumous reception. Both Landon and Byron died young, exiled (to a greater or lesser extent) from England. But while Byron becomes a hero in death and is incorporated wholeheartedly into the traditional romantic canon, Landon is imagined as a mythical victim of female poetic fame who cannot transcend the limitations of her problematic and scandalous body.
MDR1‐P‐Glycoprotein (ABCB1) Mediates Transport of Alzheimer’s Amyloid‐β Peptides—Implications for the Mechanisms of Aβ Clearance at the Blood–Brain Barrier
Authors: Kuhnke Diana , Jedlitschky Gabriele , Grube Markus , Krohn Markus , Jucker Mathias , Mosyagin Igor , Cascorbi Ingolf , Walker Lary C. , Kroemer Heyo K. , Warzok Rolf W. , Vogelgesang Silke
Published: July 2007

Amyloid‐β (Aβ) is the major component of the insoluble amyloid plaques that accumulate intracerebrally in patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). It has been suggested that MDR1‐P‐glycoprotein (ABCB1, P‐gp) plays a substantial role in the elimination of Aβ from the brain. In the present study,MDR1‐transfected LLC cells growing in a polarized cell layer were used to characterize the interaction of Aβ1‐40/1‐42 with P‐gp. In this system, P‐gp‐mediated transport can be followed by the efflux of the fluorescent dye rhodamine‐123, or of Aβ itself from the cells into the apical extracellular space. Aβ significantly decreased the apical efflux of rhodamine‐123, and the transcellular transport of Aβ1‐40 and Aβ1‐42 into the apical chamber could be demonstrated using both ELISA and fluorescence (FITC)‐labeled peptides. This transport was inhibited by a P‐gp modulator. Furthermore, ATP‐dependent, P‐gp‐mediated transport of the fluorescence‐labeled peptides could be demonstrated in isolated, inside‐out membrane vesicles. Our data support the concept that P‐gp is important for the clearance of Aβ from brain, and thus may represent a target protein for the prevention and/or treatment of neurodegenerative disorders such as AD.
A Simple Analogous Model for the Determination of Cyclic Plasticity
Parameters of Thin Wires to Model Wire Drawing
Authors: Schenk T. , Seifert T. , Brehm H.
Published: July 2007

Cyclic stress-strain measurements have to be performed in order to determine the cyclic plasticity parameters of material models describing the Bauschinger effect. For thin wires, the performance of tensile tests is often not possible due to necking of the specimen on exceeding the yield stress, whereas compression tests are uncritical. This paper presents an approach to determine the cyclic plasticity parameters by performance of compression tests for wires before and after drawing. Here, a simple analogous model is used instead of finite-element (FE) simulations. This approach has been applied for two different integration time steps in order to evaluate their influence on the fit and the accuracy of the integration. It is shown that good accuracy can be obtained for the cyclic plasticity parameters. For FE simulations using larger integration time steps, large deviations have been noted. However, there the analogous model could also be adopted in order to find appropriate model parameters. In general, it is the intention of this paper to show that searching an analogous model can be a very time- and cost-saving task.
Tick Acquisition of
Ehrlichia canis
from Dogs Treated with Doxycycline Hyclate
Authors: Schaefer John J. , Needham Glen R. , Bremer William G. , Rikihisa Yasuko , Ewing S. A. , Stich R. W.
Published: July 2007

Doxycycline generally alleviates clinical monocytic ehrlichiosis, but its efficacy in the control of monocytotropic ehrlichial pathogens requires further investigation. In this study,
Ehrlichia canis
was detected in dogs treated with doxycycline for 14 days and in ticks fed on these dogs, suggesting that treated dogs can remain reservoirs for
E. canis
.
Immunochromatographic Strip Test for Rapid Detection of Nevirapine in Plasma Samples from Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Patients
Authors: Cressey Tim R. , Nangola Sawitree , Tawon Yardpiroon , Pattarawarapan Mookda , Lallemant Marc , Tayapiwatana Chatchai
Published: July 2007

We report a novel one-step immunochromatographic strip test for the rapid, qualitative detection of nevirapine in plasma samples from human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients. The sensitivity was 100% (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 97.8 to 100%), and the specificity was 99.5% (95% CI, 97.2 to 99.9%). The limit of detection was 25 ng/ml. Immunochromatographic strip tests are simple, rapid, and cheap assays that could greatly facilitate drug level monitoring in resource-limited settings.
A Nonsense Mutation in
agrA
Accounts for the Defect in
agr
Expression and the Avirulence of
Staphylococcus aureus
8325-4
traP
::
kan
Authors: Adhikari Rajan P. , Arvidson Staffan , Novick Richard P.
Published: July 2007

TraP is a triply phosphorylated staphylococcal protein that has been hypothesized to be the mediator of a second
Staphylococcus aureus
quorum-sensing system, “SQS1,” that controls expression of the
agr
system and therefore is essential for the organism's virulence. This hypothesis was based on the loss of
agr
expression and virulence by a
traP
mutant of strain 8325-4 and was supported by full complementation of both phenotypic defects by the cloned
traP
gene in strain NB8 (Y. Gov, I. Borovok, M. Korem, V. K. Singh, R. K. Jayaswal, B. J. Wilkinson, S. M. Rich, and N. Balaban, J. Biol. Chem. 279:14665-14672, 2004), in which the wild-type
traP
gene was expressed in
trans
in the 8325-4
traP
mutant. We initiated a study of the mechanism by which TraP activates
agr
and found that the
traP
mutant strain used for this and other recently published studies has a second mutation, an adventitious stop codon in the middle of
agrA
, the
agr
response regulator. The
traP
mutation, once separated from the
agrA
defect by outcrossing, had no effect on
agr
expression or virulence, indicating that the
agrA
defect accounts fully for the lack of
agr
expression and for the loss of virulence attributed to the
traP
mutation. In addition, DNA sequencing showed that the
agrA
gene in strain NB8 (Gov et al., J. Biol. Chem., 2004), in contrast to that in the
agr
-defective 8325-4
traP
mutant strain, had the wild-type sequence; further, the
traP
mutation in that strain, when outcrossed, also had no effect on
agr
expression.
Ubiquitination of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Gag Is Highly Dependent on Gag Membrane Association
Authors: Jäger Stefanie , Gottwein Eva , Kräusslich Hans-Georg
Published: July 2007

Ubiquitin is important for the release of human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) and several other retroviruses. All major domains of the HIV-1 Gag protein are monoubiquitinated, but the modifying machinery and the function of HIV-1 Gag ubiquitination remain unclear. Here, we show that the induction of a late budding arrest by mutation of the HIV-1 PTAP motif or by specific inhibition of selected ESCRT components leads to an increase of Gag-ubiquitin conjugates in cells, which coincides with an accumulation of detergent-insoluble, multimerized Gag at the plasma membrane. Membrane flotation experiments revealed that ubiquitinated Gag is highly enriched in membrane-bound fractions. Based on these findings, we propose that a blocking of virus release results in increased Gag ubiquitination as a consequence of its prolonged membrane association. Consistent with this, ubiquitination of a membrane-binding-defective (G2A)Gag mutant was dramatically reduced and the ubiquitination levels of truncated Gag proteins correlated with their abilities to bind to membranes. We therefore propose that membrane association and multimerization of HIV-1 Gag proteins, rather than a specific motif within Gag, trigger recognition by the cellular ubiquitination machinery.
Alpha Interferon Enhances TRIM5α-Mediated Antiviral Activities in Human and Rhesus Monkey Cells
Authors: Sakuma Ryuta , Mael Amber A. , Ikeda Yasuhiro
Published: July 2007

Dominant, constitutively expressed antiretroviral factors, including TRIM5α and APOBEC3 proteins, are distinguished from the conventional innate immune systems and are classified as intrinsic immunity factors. Here, we demonstrate that interferon alpha (IFN-α) treatment upregulates TRIM5α mRNA in rhesus monkey cells, which correlates with the enhanced TRIM5α-mediated pre- and postintegration blocks of human immunodeficiency virus replication. In human cells, IFN-α increases the levels of TRIM5α mRNA, resulting in enhanced antiviral activity against N-tropic murine leukemia virus infection. These observations indicate that the TRIM5α-mediated antiviral effects can be orchestrated by the conventional innate immune response. It is conceivable that TRIM5α plays an essential role in controlling both the initial retroviral exposure and the subsequent viral dissemination in vivo.