bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genetic correlations between categorical morphological traits in Nelore cattle by applying Bayesian analysis under a threshold animal model
Authors: Faria C.U. , Pires B.C. , Vozzi A.P. , Magnabosco C.U. , Koury Filho W. , Viu M.A.O. , Oliveira H.N. , Lôbo R.B.
Published: June 2010

In this study, Bayesian analysis under a threshold animal model was used to estimate genetic correlations between morphological traits (body structure, finishing precocity and muscling) in Nelore cattle evaluated at weaning and yearling. Visual scores obtained from 7651 Nelore cattle at weaning and from 4155 animals at yearling, belonging to the Brazilian Nelore Program, were used. Genetic parameters for the morphological traits were estimated by two‐trait Bayesian analysis under a threshold animal model. The genetic correlations between the morphological traits evaluated at two ages of the animal (weaning and yearling) were positive and high for body structure (0.91), finishing precocity (0.96) and muscling (0.94). These results indicate that the traits are mainly determined by the same set of genes of additive action and that direct selection at weaning will also result in genetic progress for the same traits at yearling. Thus, selection of the best genotypes during only one phase of life of the animal is suggested. However, genetic differences between morphological traits were better detected during the growth phase to yearling. Direct selection for body structure, finishing precocity and muscling at only one age, preferentially at yearling, is recommended as genetic differences between traits can be detected at this age.
Comparison between genomic predictions using daughter yield deviation and conventional estimated breeding value as response variables
Authors: Guo G. , Lund M.S. , Zhang Y. , Su G.
Published: June 2010

This study compared genomic predictions using conventional estimated breeding values (EBV) and daughter yield deviations (DYD) as response variables based on simulated data. Eight scenarios were simulated in regard to heritability (0.05 and 0.30), number of daughters per sire (30, 100, and unequal numbers with an average of 100 per sire) and numbers of genotyped sires (all or half of sires were genotyped). The simulated genome had a length of 1200 cM with 15 000 equally spaced Single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers and 500 randomly distributed Quantitative trait locus (QTL). In the simulated scenarios, the EBV approach was as effective as or slightly better than the DYD approach at predicting breeding value, dependent on simulated scenarios and statistical models. Applying a Bayesian common prior model (the same prior distribution of marker effect variance) and a linear mixed model (GBLUP), the EBV and DYD approaches provided similar genomic estimated breeding value (GEBV) reliabilities, except for scenarios with unequal numbers of daughters and half of sires without genotype, for which the EBV approach was superior to the DYD approach (by 1.2 and 2.4%). Using a Bayesian mixture prior model (mixture prior distribution of marker effect variance), the EBV approach resulted in slightly higher reliabilities of GEBV than the DYD approach (by 0.3–3.6% with an average of 1.9%), and more obvious in scenarios with low heritability, small or unequal numbers of daughters, and half of sires without genotype. Moreover, the results showed that the correlation between GEBV and conventional parent average (PA) was lower (corresponding to a relatively larger gain by including PA) when using the DYD approach than when using the EBV approach. Consequently, the two approaches led to similar reliability of an index combining GEBV and PA in most scenarios. These results indicate that EBV can be used as an alternative response variable for genomic prediction.
The Mediterranean fruit fly and its bacteria – potential for improving sterile insect technique operations
Authors: Yuval B. , Ben‐Ami E. , Behar A. , Ben‐Yosef M. , Jurkevitch E.
Published: June 2010

Mediterranean fruit flies (Ceratitis capitata Wiedemann, Diptera: Tephritidae), harbour a diverse community of bacteria in their digestive system. Molecular and culture‐based techniques show that members of the Enterobacteriaceae form the dominant populations in the gut of the Mediterranean fruit fly. Among them, many are diazotrophs and actively fix nitrogen in vivo. Most prominent are Klebsiella spp., Enterobacter spp., Pectobacterium spp. Citrobacter freundii and Providencia stuartii. A marked shift in community composition was observed between different developmental stages: in larvae, the pectinolytic Pectobacterium were most abundant, suggesting that pectinolysis plays a role early during the fly’s life. Additionally, pseudomonads, some of which are known entomopathogens, constitute a minor, yet common and stable community in the C. capitata gut. Microbial communities in VIENNA 8 flies, a mass rearing genetic sexing strain, differ from wild flies, and irradiation further affects the microbial community. We found increased levels of the pathogenic species Pseudomonas in the industrially used strain. Furthermore, although members of the Enterobacteriaceae family remain the dominant bacteria group present in the fly’s gut, the levels of Klebsiella species decrease significantly in the days after irradiation. Eliminating the bacterial population in normal flies by using antibiotics affects measurable physiological and behavioural parameters related to fitness. Finally, we tested the hypothesis that inoculation of sterile flies with members of the original bacterial community results in enhanced competitiveness. We found that addition of the bacteria Klebsiella oxytoca to the post‐irradiation diet significantly improves sterile male performance.
Angiotensin AT1 receptor activation mediates high glucose‐induced epithelial–mesenchymal transition in renal proximal tubular cells
Authors: Zhou Li , Xue Hong , Yuan Ping , Ni Jun , Yu Chen , Huang Yu , Lu Li‐Min
Published: June 2010

1. Renal tubular epithelial cells can undergo epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) under hyperglycaemic conditions, which is associated with renal interstitial fibrosis. Activation of the renin–angiotensin system (RAS) is involved in diabetic nephropathy. The present study investigated the positive role of angiotensin AT1 receptors in high glucose‐induced EMT in cultured tubular epithelial cells.

2. A rat kidney proximal tubular epithelial cell line (NRK‐52E) was used in the present study. Levels of EMT makers, namely E‐cadherin and vimentin, were estimated using fluorescence immunocytochemistry, mRNA levels of angiotensinogen (AGT), angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) and AT1 receptors were determined by real‐time polymerase chain reaction, protein levels of E‐cadherin, vimentin, fibronectin, matrix metallopeptidase (MMP)‐9 and phosphorylated extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 were analysed by western blotting and the concentrations of angiotensin (Ang) II and transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β1 in the culture medium were determined by enzyme immunoassay and ELISA.

3. High glucose (30 mmol/L) induced EMT and increased the synthesis of fibronectin and MMP‐9. Furthermore, high glucose increased AGT, ACE and AT1 receptor mRNA levels, as well as AngII and TGF‐β1 concentrations in the culture medium and ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Pretreatment of cells for 15 min with the AT1 receptor antagonist losartan (10−5 mol/L) attenuated high glucose‐induced increases in TGF‐β1 and ERK1/2 phosphorylation and reduced EMT, as well as the consequent synthesis of fibronectin and MMP‐9.

4. The results of the present study suggest that the activated local RAS mediates high glucose‐induced EMT. By activating AT1 receptors and stimulating TGF‐β1 synthesis, the elevated local RAS participates in high glucose‐induced EMT and increased extracellular matrix secretion.
Regulation of proliferation and differentiation of prostatic stromal cells by oestradiol through prostatic epithelial cells in a paracrine manner
Authors: Wu Quan , Shi Jiandang , Chen Linfeng , Wang Chun‐Yu , Park Irwin , Lee Chung , Zhang Ju
Published: June 2010

OBJECTIVE

To characterize a paracrine effect of prostatic epithelial cells in the presence or absence of oestradiol on the differentiation and proliferation of prostatic stromal cells.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Conditioned media (CM) collected from a prostatic epithelial cell line (BPH‐1), which was pre‐treated with different concentration of oestradiol, were added to cultures of primary prostatic stromal cells. The proliferation rates of stromal cells were determined using a tetrazolium assay. The mRNA level was analysed by real‐time reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR), and the protein level of smooth muscle myosin heavy chain (SM‐MHC), fibronectin and collagen IV were determined with Western blotting, enzyme‐ linked immunosorbent assay and radioimmunoassay, respectively. The expression of transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) in the BPH‐1 cell line was analysed.

RESULTS

The rate of proliferation of stromal cells increased when they were cultured with CM harvested from oestradiol‐treated BPH‐1 cells, but there was no remarkable change when they were cultured with CM from untreated cells. The level of smoothelin mRNA and SM‐MHC protein increased after treatment with CM from BPH‐1. The CM from BPH‐1 with oestradiol stimulation was more effective in stimulating smoothelin mRNA and SM‐MHC protein level. The protein level of collagen type IV, but not fibronectin, was up‐regulated in the supernatants and cell extracts of CM‐treated stromal cells. Oestradiol enhanced the expression and secretion of TGFβ1 in BPH‐1 cells. TGFβ1‐neutralizing antibody abrogated the effect of BPH‐1 CM on the synthesis of collagen IV and SM‐MHC in stromal cells.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that oestradiol‐stimulated proliferation and differentiation of prostatic stromal cells could be regulated by factors secreted from prostatic epithelial cells.
A family assessment based on the Social Relations Model
Authors: De Mol Jan , Buysse Ann , Cook William L.
Published: June 2010

One purpose of family assessment is to formulate hypotheses that can guide clinical interventions. Family assessment is based on models about family functioning. In this paper the Social Relations Model (Kenny and La Voie, 1984; SRM) is presented as such a model about family dynamics. Moreover, SRM provides statistical tools to underpin empirical hypotheses about family functioning. An SRM family assessment of a family with a child in child psychiatric care exemplifies the possibilities and limitations of this SRM approach to family assessment. The subject of the family assessment is family members' sense of influence in their family relationships.
Payments for Ecosystem Services in Nicaragua: Do Market‐based Approaches Work?
Authors: Van Hecken Gert , Bastiaensen Johan
Published: June 2010

The concept of Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES) is gaining increasing attention among scholars as well as conservation and development practitioners. The premises of this innovative conservation approach are appealing: private land users, usually poorly motivated to protect nature on their land, will do so if they receive payments from environmental service buyers which cover part of the land users’ opportunity costs of developing the land. However, this article warns against an over‐enthusiastic adoption of a one‐sided market‐based PES approach. Based on a field study of the Regional Integrated Silvopastoral Approaches to Ecosystem Management Project (RISEMP), one of the main PES pilot projects in Nicaragua, it suggests that a mixture of economic and non‐economic factors motivated farmers to adopt the envisaged silvopastoral practices and that the actual role of PES is mistakenly understood as a simple matter of financial incentives. The authors argue that PES approaches should be understood as a part of a broader process of local institutional transformation rather than as a market‐based alternative for allegedly ineffective government and/or community governance.
Does Patronage Still Drive Politics for the Rural Poor in the Developing World? A Comparative Perspective from the Livestock Sector
Authors: Leonard David K. , Brass Jennifer N. , Nelson Michael , Ear Sophal , Fahey Dan , Fairfield Tasha , Gning Martha Johnson , Halderman Michael , McSherry Brendan , Moehler Devra C. , Prichard Wilson , Turner Robin , Vu Tuong , Dijkman Jeroen
Published: June 2010

Is the analysis of patron–client networks still important to the understanding of developing country politics or has it now been overtaken by a focus on ‘social capital’? Drawing on seventeen country studies of the political environment for livestock policy in poor countries, this article concludes that although the nature of patronage has changed significantly, it remains highly relevant to the ways peasant interests are treated. Peasant populations were found either to have no clear connection to their political leaders or to be controlled by political clientage. Furthermore, communities ‘free’ of patron–client ties to the centre generally are not better represented by political associations but instead receive fewer benefits from the state. Nonetheless, patterns of clientage are different from what they were forty years ago. First, patronage chains today often have a global reach, through trade, bilateral donor governments and international NGOs. Second, the resources that fuel political clientage today are less monopolistic and less adequate to the task of purchasing peasant political loyalty. Thus the bonds of patronage are less tight than they were historically. Third, it follows from the preceding point and the greater diversity of patrons operating today that elite conflicts are much more likely to create spaces in which peasant interests can eventually be aggregated into autonomous associations with independent political significance in the national polity. NGOs are playing an important role in opening up this political space although at the moment, they most often act like a new type of patron.
The Difference Genealogy Makes: Strategies for Politicisation or How to Extend Capacities for Autonomy
Authors: Jenkins Laura
Published: June 2010

Processes of politicisation and depoliticisation have become the empirical and theoretical focus for a growing body of political studies. However, the disparate literatures on these processes conceptualise and explore them in quite different ways. This article seeks to make some inroads into these debates by re-evaluating the concept of (de)politicisation and considering how academics can themselves participate in such processes. It suggests that (Foucauldian) genealogical critique offers a particularly fruitful analytically informed strategy for politicisation. Drawing on the work of David Owen, it is suggested that genealogical strategies help to address a depoliticising condition of aspectival captivity and extend human capacities for autonomy, without intensifying states of domination.
Old and new approaches to LIBOR modeling
Authors: Papapantoleon Antonis
Published: June 2010

In this article, we review the construction and properties of some popular approaches to modeling LIBOR rates. We discuss the following frameworks: classical LIBOR market models, forward price models and Markov‐functional models. We close with the recently developed affine LIBOR models.
PUVA plus interferon α2b in the treatment of advanced or refractory to PUVA early stage mycosis fungoides: a case series
Authors: Nikolaou V , Siakantaris MP , Vassilakopoulos TP , Papadavid E , Stratigos A , Economidi A , Marinos L , Papadaki T , Antoniou C
Published: June 2010

Background  The combination of PUVA with variable doses of systemically administered interferon α2b (IFN‐α2b) reduces the number of PUVA treatments and the dose of IFN‐α2b required to produce remission in all mycosis fungoides (MF) stages.

Objectives  To evaluate the efficacy of the combination of PUVA and IFN‐α2b in patients with late stage or refractory to treatment early stage MF.

Methods  The combination of PUVA three times weekly and IFN‐α2b 2–5 MU three times weekly was retrospectively reviewed in 22 patients. Kaplan–Meyer method and log‐rank test was used for statistical analysis.

Results  Twenty‐two patients were analysed, seven with refractory to PUVA early stage MF, seven with tumour stage, five with erythrodermic MF and three with Sézary syndrome (SS). The overall response rate (complete or partial response) was 68%, including 10 complete responses (CR) (45%) and five partial responses (PR) (23%). Significantly, more patients of the early stage group achieved CR compared with the advanced stage group (86% vs. 27%, P = 0.03). Within the advanced stage group, CR rates were 14% vs. 37% in stage IIB and III/SS patients respectively, but the difference was not statistically significant. Patients with early stage disease had a 2‐year PFS of 100% vs. 27% for the advanced stage group (P < 0.001). Sustained remissions (>2 years) were achieved in five out of six complete responders in the early stage group of patients.

Conclusion  This combination of IFN‐α2b and PUVA is an effective and safe treatment for refractory to treatment early stage MF patients as well as treatment‐naïve advanced stage patients. Its efficacy is more pronounced in the former patient group.
Rate of X chromosome aneuploidy in young fertile women: Comparison of cultured and uncultured cell preparations using fluorescencein situhybridisation
Authors: PATTON Kirralee , MURCH Ashleigh , GOLDBLATT Jack , WETHERALL John , DOHERTY Dorota , HADLOW Narelle
Published: June 2010

Background: X chromosome aneuploidy <10% in female patients is a routinely used reporting limit in diagnostic cytogenetics. X aneuploidy (<10%) is commonly detected in women investigated for infertility or recurrent miscarriages. It is unclear if this aneuploidy is causally relevant or related to the culture process. Information about the background rate of X aneuploidy in young fertile women would be helpful in resolving this issue.

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the rate of X aneuploidy in young fertile women in cultured and uncultured samples to determine if the commonly used <10% limit is relevant.

Method: Volunteers (aged 22–40 years) with proven fertility (n = 78) participated. The number of X chromosome signals in 500 cultured and 500 uncultured preparations were enumerated using FISH.

Results: Significantly, all participants had <5% X aneuploidy in both preparations, X chromosome loss occurred (2.4%) more frequently than gain (0.7%). Cultured preparations had a mean of 2.1% cells with X chromosome aneuploidy (95% CI 1.9–2.3%) compared with a mean rate of 0.9% aneuploidy in uncultured preparations (95% CI 0.7–1.1%). The relative risk for cultured preparations having X aneuploidy compared with uncultured cells was 2.33 (P < 0.001) (95% CI 2.1–2.6).

Conclusion: Young fertile women had <5% X aneuploidy. The rate of X aneuploidy was higher in cultured (2.1%) compared with uncultured (0.9%) preparations (P < 0.001). This data may provide useful background information when considering low level X aneuploidy in other groups of women with clinical indications for karyotype.
Relationship between the serum CA‐125 level and bone mineral density in healthy pre‐ and post‐menopausal women
Authors: AHN Ki Hoon , PARK Hyun Tae , KIM Tak , HUR Jun Young , KIM Young Tae , LEE Kyu Wan , KIM Sun Haeng
Published: June 2010

Background:  Osteoporosis and tumour‐associated antigen (TAA) levels are associated with inflammatory processes, but little remains known about TAA levels and bone mineral density (BMD).

Aims:  We determined whether or not high‐normal TAA levels are associated with a lower BMD in healthy women.

Methods:  A total of 3769 healthy women were enrolled from the health screening programme over 5 years. Each participant had undergone a basic health examination. Serum carbohydrate antigen (CA)‐125, CA‐19‐9, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and alpha‐fetoprotein levels were evaluated as tumour markers. The correlations between serum TAA levels and BMD were analysed.

Results:  Carbohydrate antigen 125 and CEA levels were positively associated with a higher BMD in the pre‐menopause. In the post‐menopause, the CA‐125 level was positively associated with BMD. In the pre‐menopause, CA‐125 (r = 0.102; P < 0.001) and CEA levels (r = 0.134; P < 0.001) had a significant correlation with BMD. In the post‐menopause, CA‐125 was negatively associated with alkaline phosphatase (r = −0.298; P < 0.001).

Conclusions:  There was a significant positive association between CA‐125 and BMD in healthy women. Additional basic and clinical studies on the relationship between CA‐125 and bone are needed.
Prenatal family support, postnatal family support and postpartum depression
Authors: XIE Ri‐Hua , YANG Jianzhou , LIAO Shunping , XIE Haiyan , WALKER Mark , WEN Shi Wu
Published: June 2010

Background:  Inadequate social support is an important determinant of postpartum depression (PPD). Social support for pregnant women consists of supports from various sources and can be measured at different gestation periods. Differentiating the effects of social support from different sources and measured at different gestation periods may have important implications in the prevention of PPD. In the family centred Chinese culture, family support is likely to be one of the most important components in social support.

Aims:  The aim of this study was to assess the association of prenatal family support and postnatal family support with PPD.

Methods:  A prospective cohort study was conducted between February and September 2007 in Hunan, China. Family support was measured with social support rating scale at 30–32 weeks of gestation (prenatal support) and again at 2 weeks of postpartum visit (postnatal support). PPD was defined as Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) score ≥13.

Results:  A total of 534 pregnant women were included, and among them, 103 (19.3%) scored 13 or more on the EPDS. PPD was 19.4% in the lowest tertile versus 18.4% in the highest quartile (adjusted odds ratio: 1.04, 95% confidence interval 0.60, 1.80) for prenatal support from all family members, and PPD was 39.8% in the lowest tertile versus 9.6% in the highest tertile (adjusted odds ratio: 4.4, 95% confidence interval 2.3, 8.4) for postnatal support from all family members. Among family members, support from husband had the largest impact on the risk of developing PPD.

Conclusions:  Lack of postnatal family support, especially the support from husband, is an important risk factor of PPD.
Taxonomic status of Amebachia Uchida in the genus Netelia Gray (Hymenoptera; Ichneumonidae; Tryphoninae) with descriptions of four new species from Japan
Authors: KONISHI Kazuhiko
Published: June 2010

The lectotype of Amebachia baibarana Uchida, 1928, which is the type species of Amebachia Uchida, was re‐examined. Though this species was synonymized with Netelia (Netelia) laevis (= Paniscus laevis Cameron, 1905) and Amebachia has been synonymized under the subgenus Netelia of the genus Netelia, it is concluded that A. baibarana is a distinct species from N. laevis and Amebachia should be a subgenus of the genus Netelia. Netelia laevis is transferred from the subgenus Netelia to Apatagium. Four new species of Netelia (Amebachia), N. (A.) yoshimatsui sp. nov., N. (A.) rasilella sp. nov., N. (A.) fulvistigma sp. nov., and N. (A.) vicinalis sp. nov. are described from Japan, and a key to the species of this subgenus is provided.
Using Cost‐Effective Targeting to Enhance the Efficiency of Conservation Investments in Payments for Ecosystem Services
Authors: CHEN XIAODONG , LUPI FRANK , VIÑA ANDRÉS , HE GUANGMING , LIU JIANGUO
Published: June 2010

Abstract:  Ecosystem services are being protected and restored worldwide through payments for ecosystem services in which participants are paid to alter their land‐management approaches to benefit the environment. The efficiency of such investments depends on the design of the payment scheme. Land features have been used to measure the environmental benefits of and amount of payment for land enrollment in payment for ecosystem services schemes. Household characteristics of program participants, however, may also be important in the targeting of land for enrollment. We used the characteristics of households participating in China's Grain‐to‐Green program, and features of enrolled land to examine the targeting of land enrollment in that program in Wolong Nature Reserve. We compared levels of environmental benefits that can be obtained through cost‐effective targeting of land enrollment for different types of benefits under different payment schemes. The efficiency of investments in a discriminative payment scheme (payments differ according to opportunity costs, i.e., landholders’ costs of forgoing alternative uses of land) was substantially higher than in a flat payment scheme (same price paid to all participants). Both optimal targeting and suboptimal targeting of land enrollment for environmental benefits achieved substantially more environmental benefits than random selection of land for enrollment. Our results suggest that cost‐effective targeting of land through the use of discriminative conservation payments can substantially improve the efficiency of investments in the Grain‐to‐Green program and other payment for ecosystem services programs.
Psychosis in epilepsy patients
Authors: Nadkarni Siddhartha , Arnedo Vanessa , Devinsky Orrin
Published: June 2010

Summary  Epileptic psychoses reflect a fundamental disruption in the fidelity of mind and occur during seizure freedom or during or after seizures. The psychotic symptoms in epilepsy share some qualities with schizophrenic psychosis, such as positive symptoms of paranoid delusions and hallucinations. Psychotic syndromes in epilepsy are most common but not exclusively associated with temporal lobe epilepsy. De Novo psychosis following epilepsy surgery is rare. Forced normalization—psychosis associated with dramatic reduction of epileptiform activity or seizures is described in small series only. Ictal and postictal psychosis can be prevented with seizure control, but postictal and chronic interictal psychoses require multidisciplinary and psychopharmacologic management.
Quercetin and Ethanol Attenuate the Progression of Atherosclerotic Plaques With Concomitant Up Regulation of Paraoxonase1 (PON1) Gene Expression and PON1 Activity in LDLR−/− Mice
Authors: Leckey Leslie C. , Garige Mamatha , Varatharajalu Ravi , Gong Maokai , Nagata Takako , Spurney Christopher F. , Lakshman Raj M.
Published: June 2010

Background:  As moderate wine drinking is atheroprotective, it is clinically relevant to elucidate its possible mechanism/s of action/s. Our objective is to demonstrate the potential benefits of the wine components, quercetin and ethanol, on the development of aortic plaques with parallel changes in antiatherogenic factors.

Methods and Results:  The effects of quercetin and ethanol on the development of aortic atherosclerotic lesions, liver PON1 gene expression, and serum PON1 activity were measured in LDLR−/− mice on an atherogenic diet for 4 and 8 weeks. Depending on the duration and dosage of these modulators, 12.5 to 25 mg/dl quercetin (12.5Q to 25Q) and 18 to 25% ethanol, the magnitude of decreases in aortic lesions caused by moderate ethanol and quercetin ranged from 20 to 70% (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001) based on ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) analyses, and from 18 to 61% (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001) based on morphometric analyses. The composite plot of all the UBM and morphometric data showed significant correlation between these 2 methods (p = 0.0001, Pearson r = 0.79 for 4‐week treatment; p = 0.000004, Pearson r = 0.84 for 8‐week treatment). Concomitantly, 4‐week treatments with 12.5Q and 18% ethanol up regulated liver PON1 mRNA by 41% (p < 0.05) and 37% (p < 0.05), respectively, accompanied by 92% (p < 0.001) and 61% (p < 0.001) increases in serum PON1 activity, respectively. The corresponding values after 8‐week treatment with 12.5Q and 18% ethanol were 23% (p < 0.05) and 40% (p < 0.02) with respect to the up regulation of liver PON1 mRNA expression, while the stimulations of serum PON1 activity were 75% (p < 0.001) and 90% (p < 0.001), respectively.

Conclusions:  Based on these findings, we conclude that quercetin and moderate ethanol significantly inhibit the progression of atherosclerosis by up regulating the hepatic expression of the antiatherogenic gene, PON1, with concomitant increased serum PON1 activity.
Differential Changes in MAP Kinases, Histone Modifications, and Liver Injury in Rats Acutely Treated With Ethanol
Authors: Aroor Annayya R. , James Taryn T. , Jackson Daniel E. , Shukla Shivendra D.
Published: June 2010

Background:  Acute ethanol is known to affect cells and organs but the underlying molecular mechanisms are poorly explored. Recent developments highlight the potential importance of mitogen‐activated protein kinases, MAPKs (i.e., ERK1/2, p38, and JNK1/2) signaling, and histone modifications (i.e., acetylation, methylation, and phosphorylation) in the actions of ethanol in hepatocytes. We have therefore investigated significance of these molecular steps in vivo using a model in which rats were acutely administered ethanol intraperitoneally (IP).

Methods:  Ethanol was administered IP (3.5 gm/kg body weight) to 12‐week‐old male Sprague–Dawley rats. Liver was subsequently removed at 1 and 4 hours. Serum was used for alcohol and ALT assays. At the time of the removal of liver, small portions of each liver were formalin‐fixed and stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and used for light microscopy. Western blot analysis was carried out with specific primary antibodies for various parameters.

Results:  There were clear differences at 1 and 4 hours in blood ethanol, ALT, steatosis, and cleaved caspase 3. Apoptosis at 1 hour was followed by necrosis at 4 hours. Acute alcohol elicited a marked increase in the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and moderate increases in the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and JNK. Temporally different phosphorylation of histone H3 at ser‐10 and ser‐28 occurred and acetylation of histone H3 at lys 9 increased progressively.

Conclusions:  There were distinct differences in the behavior of the activation of the 3 MAP kinases and histone modifications after acute short exposure of liver to ethanol in vivo. Although all 3 MAPKs were rapidly activated at 1 hour, the necrosis, occurring at 4 hours, correlated to sustained activation of ERK1/2. Transient activation of p38 is associated with rapid phosphorylation of histone H3, whereas prolonged activation of ERK1/2 is correlated to persistent histone H3 acetylation.
Withdrawal Severity After Chronic Intermittent Ethanol in Inbred Mouse Strains
Authors: Metten Pamela , Sorensen Michelle L. , Cameron Andy J. , Yu Chia‐Hua , Crabbe John C.
Published: June 2010

Background: To study withdrawal, ethanol is usually administered chronically without interruption. However, interest has recurred in models of episodic exposure. Increasing evidence suggests that chronic intermittent exposure to ethanol leads to a sensitization effect in both withdrawal severity and ethanol consumption. The goal of the present study was to examine mouse inbred strain differences in withdrawal severity following chronic intermittent exposure using the handling‐induced convulsion as the behavioral endpoint. We also sought to compare the withdrawal responses of inbred strains across acute, chronic continuous, and chronic intermittent exposure regimens.

Methods: Male mice from 15 standard inbred strains were exposed to ethanol vapor for 16 hours each day for 3 days and removed to an air chamber during the intervening 8 hours. Mice in the control groups were handled the same, except that they were exposed only to air. Daily blood ethanol concentrations were averaged for each mouse to estimate total dose of ethanol experienced.

Results: Across strains, mice had an average daily blood ethanol concentration (BEC) of 1.45 ± 0.02 mg/ml and we restricted the range of this value to 1.00–2.00 mg/ml. To evaluate strain differences, we divided data into two dose groups based on BEC, low dose (1.29 ± 0.1 mg/ml) and high dose (1.71 ± 0.02 mg/ml). After the third inhalation exposure, ethanol‐exposed and air‐exposed groups were tested hourly for handling‐induced convulsions for 10 hour and at hour 24 and 25. Strains differed markedly in the severity of withdrawal (after subtraction of air control values) in both dose groups.

Conclusion: The chronic intermittent exposure paradigm is sufficient to elicit differential withdrawal responses across nearly all strains. Data from the high‐dose groups correlated well with withdrawal data derived from prior acute (single high dose) and chronic continuous (for 72 hours) ethanol withdrawal studies, supporting the influence of common genes on all three responses.
Motivation for Alcohol Becomes Resistant to Quinine Adulteration After 3 to 4 Months of Intermittent Alcohol Self‐Administration
Authors: Hopf Frederic W. , Chang Shao‐Ju , Sparta Dennis R. , Bowers Michael S. , Bonci Antonello
Published: June 2010

Background:  Continued consumption of alcohol despite deleterious consequences is a hallmark of alcoholism and represents a critical challenge to therapeutic intervention. Previous rat studies showed that enduring alcohol self‐administration despite pairing alcohol with normally aversive stimuli was only observed after very long‐term intake (>8 months). Aversion‐resistant alcohol intake has been previously interpreted to indicate pathological or compulsive motivation to consume alcohol. However, given the time required to model compulsive alcohol seeking in previous studies, there is considerable interest in developing more efficient and quantitative rodent models of aversion‐resistant alcohol self‐administration.

Methods:  Outbred Wistar rats underwent 3 to 4 months or approximately 1.5 months of intermittent, home‐cage, two‐bottle access (IAA) to 20% alcohol (v/v) or water. Then, after brief operant training, the effect of the bitter‐tasting quinine (0.1 g/l) on the motivation to seek alcohol was quantified via progressive ratio (PR). Motivation for quinine‐adulterated 2% sucrose under PR was assayed in a separate cohort of 3 to 4 months IAA rats. The effects of quinine on home‐cage alcohol consumption in IAA rats and rats with continuous access to alcohol were also examined. Finally, a dose–response for quinine taste preference in IAA and continuous‐access animals was determined.

Results:  Motivation for alcohol after 3 to 4 months IAA, measured using an operant PR procedure, was not altered by adulteration of alcohol with 0.1 g/l quinine. In contrast, after 3 to 4 months of IAA, motivation for sucrose under PR was significantly reduced by adulteration of sucrose with 0.1 g/l quinine. In addition, motivation for alcohol after only approximately 1.5 months IAA was significantly reduced by adulteration of alcohol with 0.1 g/l quinine. Furthermore, home‐cage alcohol intake by IAA rats was insensitive to quinine at concentrations (0.01, 0.03 g/l) that significantly reduced alcohol drinking in animals with continuous access to alcohol. Finally, no changes in quinine taste preference after 3 to 4 months IAA or continuous access to alcohol were observed.

Conclusions:  We have developed a novel and technically simple hybrid operant/IAA model in which quinine‐resistant motivation for alcohol is evident after an experimentally tractable period of time (3 to 4 months vs. 8 months). Quinine dramatically reduced sucrose and water intake by IAA rats, indicating that continued responding for alcohol in IAA rats despite adulteration with the normally aversive quinine might reflect maladaptive or compulsive motivation for alcohol. This model could facilitate identification of novel therapeutic interventions for pathological alcohol seeking in humans.
Delay Discounting Behavior and White Matter Microstructure Abnormalities in Youth With a Family History of Alcoholism
Authors: Herting Megan M. , Schwartz Daniel , Mitchell Suzanne H. , Nagel Bonnie J.
Published: June 2010

Background:  Youth with family history of alcohol abuse have a greater risk of developing an alcohol use disorder (AUD). Brain and behavior differences may underlie this increased vulnerability. The current study examined delay discounting behavior and white matter microstructure in youth at high risk for alcohol abuse, as determined by a family history of alcoholism (FH+), and youth without such family history (FH−).

Methods:  Thirty‐three healthy youth (FH+ = 15, FH− = 18), ages 11 to 15 years, completed a delay discounting task and underwent diffusion tensor imaging. Tract‐based spatial statistics (Smith et al., 2006), as well as follow‐up region‐of‐interest analyses, were performed to compare fractional anisotropy (FA) between FH+ and FH− youth.

Results:  FH+ youth showed a trend toward increased discounting behavior and had significantly slower reaction times (RTs) on the delay discounting paradigm compared to FH− youth. Group differences in FA were seen in several white matter tracts. Furthermore, lower FA in the left inferior longitudinal fasciculus and the right optic radiation statistically mediated the relationship between FH status and slower RTs on the delay discounting task.

Conclusions:  Youth with a family history of substance abuse have disrupted white matter microstructure, which likely contributes to less efficient cortical processing and may act as an intrinsic risk factor contributing to an increased susceptibility of developing AUD. In addition, FHP youth showed a trend toward greater impulsive decision making, possibly representing an inherent personal characteristic that may facilitate substance use onset and abuse in high‐risk youth.
Period 2 Gene Deletion Abolishes β‐Endorphin Neuronal Response to Ethanol
Authors: Agapito Maria , Mian Nadia , Boyadjieva Nadka I. , Sarkar Dipak K.
Published: June 2010

Background:  Ethanol exposure during early life has been shown to permanently alter the circadian expression of clock regulatory genes and the β‐endorphin precursor proopiomelanocortin (POMC) gene in the hypothalamus. Ethanol also alters the stress‐ and immune‐regulatory functions of β‐endorphin neurons in laboratory rodents. Our aim was to determine whether the circadian clock regulatory Per2 gene modulates the action of ethanol on β‐endorphin neurons in mice.

Methods:  Per2 mutant (mPer2Brdml) and wild type (C57BL/6J) mice were used to determine the effect of Per2 mutation on ethanol‐regulated β‐endorphin neuronal activity during neonatal period using an in vitro mediobasal hypothalamic (MBH) cell culture model and an in vivo milk formula feeding animal model. The β‐endorphin neuronal activity following acute and chronic ethanol treatments was evaluated by measuring the peptide released from cultured cells or peptide levels in the MBH tissues, using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results:  Per2 mutant mice showed a higher basal level of β‐endorphin release from cultured MBH cells and a moderate increase in the peptide content in the MBH in comparison with control mice. However, unlike wild type mice, Per2 mutant mice showed no stimulatory or inhibitory β‐endorphin‐secretory responses to acute and chronic ethanol challenges in vitro. Furthermore, Per2 mutant mice, but not wild type mice, failed to show the stimulatory and inhibitory responses of MBH β‐endorphin levels to acute and chronic ethanol challenges in vivo.

Conclusions:  These results suggest for the first time that the Per2 gene may be critically involved in regulating β‐endorphin neuronal function. Furthermore, the data revealed an involvement of the Per2 gene in regulating β‐endorphin neuronal responses to ethanol.
Ethanol Enhances Taurine‐Activated Glycine Receptor Function
Authors: Welsh Brian T. , Kirson Dean , Allen Hunter M. , Mihic S. John
Published: June 2010

Background: Emerging evidence suggests that taurine acts as a partial agonist on glycine receptors (GlyR) in vitro and in vivo. Ethanol acts as an allosteric modulator on the GlyR producing a leftward shift of the glycine concentration–response curve, with no enhancing effects observed at saturating glycine concentrations. However, to date, no electrophysiological studies have been performed on ethanol modulation of taurine‐activated GlyR.

Methods: Wild‐type α1 GlyR, or those bearing a serine‐267 to isoleucine replacement (S267I), were homomerically expressed inXenopusoocytes and voltage clamped at −70 mV. Ethanol was co‐applied with varying concentrations of glycine or taurine and the enhancing effects of ethanol compared.

Results: Ethanol potentiated glycine‐ and taurine‐activated GlyR responses in a concentration‐dependent manner. It shifted taurine and glycine concentration–response curves to the left, having no effects at saturating agonist concentrations. Chelation of zinc by tricine decreased ethanol enhancement of taurine‐gated GlyR function. The S267I mutation prevented ethanol enhancement of taurine‐mediated responses as previously also reported for glycine.

Conclusion: Ethanol modulates taurine activation of GlyR function by a mechanism similar to that of the full agonist glycine. The lack of effect of ethanol at saturating taurine concentrations provides mechanistic information on alcohol actions at the GlyR.
Race and Gender in the 2008 U.S. Presidential Election: A Content Analysis of Editorial Cartoons
Authors: Zurbriggen Eileen L. , Sherman Aurora M.
Published: June 2010

Previous research has suggested that news and commentary concerning political candidates can vary based on a candidate's gender or race. Race and gender were especially salient in the 2008 U.S. presidential election. A content analysis of editorial cartoons was conducted to examine patterns in content or imagery related to race and gender. Editorial cartoons that featured Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and/or John McCain and were published during the primary season were analyzed. Cartoons featuring Obama were more likely to be favorable than those featuring the other candidates; those featuring Clinton were more likely to be unfavorable. Clinton was more often presented as ugly and small in size than was Obama. Clinton was shown perpetrating violence more often than the male candidates; she was also portrayed as the recipient of particularly gruesome violence. Some cartoons featured imagery or content that relied on racial or gender stereotypes; a qualitative analysis of these cartoons is provided. Overall, findings support previous research showing the continued relevance of race and gender in media coverage of political campaigns.
Clinical Significance of Early Recurrences of Atrial Tachycardia After Atrial Fibrillation Ablation
Authors: CHOI JONG‐IL , PAK HUI‐NAM , PARK JAE SEOK , KWAK JAE JIN , NAGAMOTO YASUTSUGU , LIM HONG EUY , PARK SANG WEON , HWANG CHUN , KIM YOUNG‐HOON
Published: June 2010

Early Recurrence After AF Ablation. Background: Atrial tachycardia (AT) commonly recurs within 3 months after radiofrequency catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF). However, it remains unclear whether early recurrence of atrial tachycardia (ERAT) predicts late recurrence of AF or AT.

Methods: Of 352 consecutive patients who underwent circumferential pulmonary vein isolation with or without linear ablation(s) for AF, 56 patients (15.9%) with ERAT were identified by retrospective analysis. ERAT was defined as early relapse of AT within a 3‐month blanking period after ablation.

Results: During 21.7 ± 12.5 months, the rate of late recurrence was higher in patients with ERAT (41.1%) compared with those without ERAT (11.8%, P < 0.001). In a multivariable model, positive inducibility of AF or AT immediately after ablation (65.2% vs 36.4%, P = 0.046; odd ratio, 3.9; 95% confidence interval, 1.0–14.6) and the number of patients who underwent cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI) ablation (73.9% vs 42.4%, P = 0.042; odd ratio, 4.5; 95% confidence interval, 1.1–19.5) were significantly related to late recurrence in the ERAT group. The duration of ablation (174.3 ± 62.3 vs 114.7 ± 39.5 minutes, P = 0.046) and the procedure time (329.3 ± 83.4 vs 279.2 ± 79.7 minutes, P = 0.027) were significantly longer in patients with late recurrence than in those without late recurrence following ERAT.

Conclusions: The late recurrence rate is higher in the patients with ERAT compared with those without ERAT following AF ablation, and is more often noted in the patients who underwent CTI ablation and had a prolonged procedure time. Furthermore, inducibility of AF or AT immediately after ablation independently predicts late recurrence in patients with ERAT. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 21, pp. 1331‐1337, December 2010)
Syncope and Structural Heart Disease: Historical Criteria for Vasovagal Syncope and Ventricular Tachycardia
Authors: SHELDON ROBERT , HERSI AHMAD , RITCHIE DEBBIE , KOSHMAN MARY‐LOU , ROSE SARAH
Published: June 2010

Syncope and Structural Heart Disease. Introduction: To develop evidence‐based criteria that distinguish syncope due to ventricular tachycardia (VT) from vasovagal syncope (VVS) in patients with structural heart disease (SHD).

Methods and Results:
One hundred and thirty‐four patients with syncope and SHD completed a 118‐item questionnaire and underwent noninvasive and invasive diagnostic assessments in a prospective cohort study. The contributions of symptoms to diagnoses were estimated with logistic regression and a point score was developed and then tested using receiver‐operator characteristic analysis. The effectiveness of the decision rule was evaluated with long‐term outcome. There were 21 patients with tilt‐positive VVS, 78 with clinically declared or inducible VT, and 35 with no identified cause of syncope. Six features were significant predictors. Factors that predicted VT included male sex and age at onset >35 years; factors predicting VVS included prolonged sitting or standing; developing presyncope preceded by stress; recurrent headaches; and experiencing fatigue, which lasts longer than 1 minute after syncope. The point score correctly classified 92% of patients, diagnosing VT with 99% sensitivity and 68% specificity. The negative predictive value is ≥96%. Fully 67% of patients with undiagnosed syncope were classified as having VT based upon their symptoms. The decision rule predicted 9‐year arrhythmia‐free survival (VVS 84%, VT 39%, hazard ratio 4.32) and 9‐year overall survival (VVS 66%, VT 37%, hazard ratio 2.87).

Conclusions:
The causes of syncope in patients with SHD, and their clinical outcomes, can be estimated accurately based on the clinical history. The history safely screens out the possibility of VT as a cause of syncope. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 21, pp. 1358‐1364, December 2010)
International Patent Strategies of Small and Large Firms: An Empirical Study of Nanotechnology
Authors: Fernández‐Ribas Andrea
Published: June 2010

The aim of this article is to investigate to what extent small‐firm foreign patents differ from those of their larger counterparts. The research setting consists of the population of U.S.‐owned small and large businesses with patent applications at the World International Patent Organization during 1996–2006 in the emerging field of nanotechnology. Findings reveal a significant and growing contribution of small firms to the globalization of patents. The analysis also suggests that small‐firm patents tend to be more novel and embedded in domestic innovation networks than large‐firm patents. Policy implications are multiple, including putting international patenting on the policy agenda and helping highly innovative small companies to explore foreign commercial opportunities in new markets of capital and technology.