bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Does gravity operate between galaxies? Observational evidence re-examined
Authors: Farley Francis J. M.
Published: May 2010

The redshifts and luminosities of type 1A supernovae are conventionally fitted with the current paradigm, which holds that the galaxies are locally stationary in an expanding metric. The fit fails unless the expansion is accelerating; driven perhaps by ‘dark energy’. Is the recession of the galaxies slowed down by gravity or speeded up by some repulsive force? To shed light on this question the redshifts and apparent magnitudes of type 1A supernovae are re-analysed in a cartesian frame of reference omitting gravitational effects. The redshift is ascribed to the relativistic Doppler effect which gives the recession velocity when the light was emitted; if this has not changed, the distance reached and the luminosity follow immediately. This simple concept fits the observations surprisingly well with the Hubble constant
H
0
=62.9±0.3 km s
−1
 Mpc
−1
. It appears that the galaxies recede at unchanging velocities, so on the largest scale there is no significant intergalactic force. Reasons for the apparent absence of an intergalactic force are discussed.
A continuum theory of surface growth
Authors: Hodge Neil , Papadopoulos Panayiotis
Published: May 2010

A continuum theory of surface growth in deformable bodies is presented. The theory employs a decomposition of the deformation and growth processes, which leads to a well-posed set of governing equations. It is argued that an evolving reference configuration is required to track the material points in the body. The balance laws are formulated with respect to a non-inertial frame of reference, which is used to track the motion of the body. A one-dimensional example problem is included to showcase the predictive capacity of the theory.
The argonaut shell: gas-mediated buoyancy control in a pelagic octopus
Authors: Finn Julian K. , Norman Mark D.
Published: May 2010

Argonauts (Cephalopoda: Argonautidae) are a group of rarely encountered open-ocean pelagic octopuses with benthic ancestry. Female argonauts inhabit a brittle ‘paper nautilus’ shell, the role of which has puzzled naturalists for millennia. The primary role attributed to the shell has been as a receptacle for egg deposition and brooding. Our observations of wild argonauts have revealed that the thin calcareous shell also functions as a hydrostatic structure, employed by the female argonaut to precisely control buoyancy at varying depths. Female argonauts use the shell to ‘gulp’ a measured volume of air at the sea surface, seal off the captured gas using flanged arms and forcefully dive to a depth where the compressed gas buoyancy counteracts body weight. This process allows the female argonaut to attain neutral buoyancy at depth and potentially adjust buoyancy to counter the increased (and significant) weight of eggs during reproductive periods. Evolution of this air-capture strategy enables this negatively buoyant octopus to survive free of the sea floor. This major shift in life mode from benthic to pelagic shows strong evolutionary parallels with the origins of all cephalopods, which attained gas-mediated buoyancy via the closed-chambered shells of the true nautiluses and their relatives.
Mimics without models: causes and consequences of allopatry in Batesian mimicry complexes
Authors: Pfennig David W. , Mullen Sean P.
Published: May 2010

Batesian mimicry evolves when a palatable species (the ‘mimic’) co-opts a warning signal from a dangerous species (the ‘model’) and thereby deceives its potential predators. Longstanding theory predicts that this protection from predation should break down where the model is absent. Thus, mimics are expected to only co-occur with their model. Yet, many mimics violate this prediction and occur in areas where their model is absent. Here, we discuss the causes and consequences of such allopatric mimics. We also describe how these ‘rule-bending’ mimics provide critical insights into diverse topics ranging from how Batesian mimicry evolves to its possible role in speciation.
Sexual imprinting misguides species recognition in a facultative interspecific brood parasite
Authors: Sorenson Michael D. , Hauber Mark E. , Derrickson Scott R.
Published: May 2010

Sexual reproduction relies on the recognition of conspecifics for breeding. Most experiments in birds have implicated a critical role for early social learning in directing subsequent courtship behaviours and mating decisions. This classical view of avian sexual imprinting is challenged, however, by studies of megapodes and obligate brood parasites, species in which reliable recognition is achieved despite the lack of early experience with conspecifics. By rearing males with either conspecific or heterospecific brood mates, we experimentally tested the effect of early social experience on the association preferences and courtship behaviours of two sympatrically breeding ducks. We predicted that redheads (Aythya americana), which are facultative interspecific brood parasites, would show a diminished effect of early social environment on subsequent courtship preferences when compared with their host and congener, the canvasback (Aythya valisineria). Contrary to expectations, cross-fostered males of both species courted heterospecific females and preferred them in spatial association tests, whereas control males courted and associated with conspecific females. These results imply that ontogenetic constraints on species recognition may be a general impediment to the initial evolution of interspecific brood parasitism in birds. Under more natural conditions, a variety of mechanisms may mitigate or counteract the effects of early imprinting for redheads reared in canvasback broods.
Melanoma‐targeted chemo‐thermo‐immuno (CTI)‐therapy using N‐propionyl‐4‐S‐cysteaminylphenol‐magnetite nanoparticles elicits CTL response via heat shock protein‐peptide complex release
Authors: Sato Akiko , Tamura Yasuaki , Sato Noriyuki , Yamashita Toshiharu , Takada Tomoaki , Sato Makito , Osai Yasue , Okura Masae , Ono Ichiro , Ito Akira , Honda Hiroyuki , Wakamatsu Kazumasa , Ito Shosuke , Jimbow Kowichi
Published: May 2010

Melanogenesis substrate, N‐propionyl‐4‐S‐cysteaminylphenol (NPrCAP) is specifically taken up by melanoma cells and inhibits their growth by producing cytotxic free radicals. By taking advantage of this unique chemical agent, we have established melanoma‐targeting intracellular hyperthermia by conjugating NPrCAP with magnetite nanoparticles (NPrCAP/M) upon exposure to an alternating magnetic field (AMF). This treatment causes cytotoxic reaction as well as heat shock responses, leading to elicitation of antitumor immune response, which was proved by tumor rechallenge test and CTL induction. We found the level of heat shock protein 72 (Hsp72) to be increased in the cell lysate and culture supernatant after intracellular hyperthermia. Melanoma‐specific CD8+ T‐cell response to dendritic cells loaded with hyperthermia‐treated tumor lysate was enhanced when compared with non‐treated tumor lysate. When heat shock protein, particularly Hsp72, was immuno‐depleted from hyperthermia‐treated tumor cell lysate, specific CD8+ T‐cell response was abolished. Thus, it is suggested that antitumor immune response induced by hyperthermia using NPrCAP/M is derived from the release of HSP‐peptide complex from degraded tumor cells. Therefore, this chemo‐thermo‐immuno (CTI)‐therapy might be effective not only for primary melanoma but also for distant metastasis because of induction of systemic antimelanoma immune responses. (Cancer Sci 2010)
Distribution of Th17 cells and FoxP3(+) regulatory T cells in tumor‐infiltrating lymphocytes, tumor‐draining lymph nodes and peripheral blood lymphocytes in patients with gastric cancer
Authors: Maruyama Takanori , Kono Koji , Mizukami Yoshiki , Kawaguchi Yoshihiko , Mimura Kousaku , Watanabe Mitsuaki , Izawa Shinichirou , Fujii Hideki
Published: May 2010

Although Th17 cells reportedly play critical roles in the development of autoimmunity and allergic reactions, information on Th17 cells in cancer‐bearing hosts is still limited. In the present study, we investigated the distribution of Th17 cells in relation to regulatory T cells (Treg) in the tumor‐infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), regional lymph node lymphocytes, and peripheral blood lymphocytes of gastric cancer patients. Interleukin (IL)‐17‐producing CD4(+) cells as Th17 cells and CD4(+)CD25(+)FoxP3(+) cells as Treg were evaluated by flow cytometry and expressed as a percentage of the total CD4+ cells, in addition to performing a Th1/Th2 balance assay. Moreover, immunohistochemical staining for IL‐17 and FoxP3 were performed. In TILs from patients with early disease (n = 27), the frequency of Th17 cells was significantly higher than that in the normal gastric mucosa (23.7 ± 8.9 vs 4.5 ± 3.1%). In TILs from patients with advanced disease (n = 28), the frequency of Th17 cells was also significantly higher, but lower compared to early disease, than that in the normal gastric mucosa (15.1 ± 6.2 vs 4.0 ± 2.0%). This observation for Th17 cell‐distribution was also confirmed by immunohistochemistry. When the ratio of Th17/Treg in TILs was evaluated in individual cases, it was more markedly increased in early than in advanced disease. In conclusion, the accumulation of Th17 cells as well as Treg in the tumor microenvironment of gastric cancer occurred in early disease and then the infiltration of Th17 cells gradually decreased according to the disease progression, in contrast to increased Treg. (Cancer Sci 2010; 00: 00–00)
Long‐term increases in intrinsic water‐use efficiency do not lead to increased stem growth in a tropical monsoon forest in western Thailand
Authors: NOCK CHARLES A. , BAKER PATRICK J. , WANEK WOLFGANG , LEIS ALBRECHT , GRABNER MICHAEL , BUNYAVEJCHEWIN SARAYUDH , HIETZ PETER
Published: May 2010

Rising atmospheric carbon dioxide [CO2] can accelerate tree growth by stimulating photosynthesis and increasing intrinsic water‐use efficiency (iWUE). Little evidence exists, however, for the long‐term growth and gas‐exchange responses of mature trees in tropical forests to the combined effects of rising [CO2] and other global changes such as warming. Using tree rings and stable isotopes of carbon and oxygen, we investigated long‐term trends in the iWUE and stem growth (basal area increment, BAI) of three canopy tree species in a tropical monsoon forest in western Thailand (Chukrasia tabularis, Melia azedarach, and Toona ciliata). To do this, we modelled the contribution of ontogenetic effects (tree diameter or age) and calendar year to variation in iWUE, oxygen isotopes, and BAI using mixed‐effects models. Although iWUE increased significantly with both tree diameter and calendar year in all species, BAI at a given tree diameter was lower in more recent years. For one species, C. tabularis, differences in crown dominance significantly influence stable isotopes and growth. Tree ring Δ18O increased with calendar year in all species, suggesting that increasing iWUE may have been driven by relatively greater reductions in stomatal conductance – leading to enrichment in Δ18O – than increases in photosynthetic capacity. Plausible explanations for the observed declines in growth include water stress resulting from rising temperatures and El Niño events, increased respiration, changes in allocation, or more likely, a combination of these factors.
Modelling climate‐change‐induced nonlinear thresholds in cephalopod population dynamics
Authors: ANDRÉ JESSICA , HADDON MALCOLM , PECL GRETTA T.
Published: May 2010

A significant global challenge lies in our current inability to anticipate, and therefore prepare for, critical ecological thresholds (i.e. tipping points in ecosystems). This deficit stems largely from an inadequate understanding of the many complex interactions between species and the environment at the ecosystem level, and the paucity of mechanistic models relating environment to population dynamics at the species level. In marine ecosystems, abundant, short‐lived and fast‐growing species such as anchovies or squids, consistently function as ‘keystone’ groups whose population dynamics affect entire ecosystems. Increasing exploitation coupled with climate change impacts has the potential to affect these ecological groups and consequently, the entire marine ecosystem. There are currently very few models that predict the impact of climate change on these keystone groups. Here we use a combination of individual‐based bioenergetics and stage‐structured population models to characterize the fundamental capacity of cephalopods to respond to climate change. We demonstrate the potential for, and mechanisms behind, two unfavourable climate‐change‐induced thresholds in future population dynamics. Although one threshold was the direct consequence of a decrease in incubation time caused by ocean warming, the other threshold was linked to survivorship, implying the possibility of management through a modification of fishing mortality. Additional substantive changes in phenology were also predicted, with a possible loss in population resilience. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of predicting complex nonlinear dynamics with a reasonably simplistic mechanistic model, and highlight the necessity of developing such approaches for other species if attempts to moderate the impact of climate change on natural resources are to be effective.
Middle distal canal of the mandibular first molar: a case report and literature review
Authors: Kottoor J. , Sudha R. , Velmurugan N.
Published: May 2010

Kottoor J, Sudha R, Velmurugan N. Middle distal canal of the mandibular first molar: a case report and literature review. International Endodontic Journal.

Aim  To present a clinical case report in a mandibular first molar with a middle distal canal, along with a review of the literature.

Summary  With the use of magnification, either by microscopes or by loupes, there is an increasing possibility of detecting additional canals. The present case describes root canal treatment in a mandibular first molar with two roots and a Sert and Bayirli Type XVIII canal configuration in the distal root. The presence of a three canals in the distal root of mandibular first molars has been reported to have an incidence of 0.2–3%.

Key learning points 

 Clinicians should be aware of the variable root canal anatomy in the distal root of mandibular first molars.

 Use of magnification helps to identify and locate additional root canals.

 Three root canals in the distal root of mandibular first molar teeth might occur.
3D visualization and quantification of rat cortical bone porosity using a desktop micro‐CT system: a case study in the tibia
Authors: BRITZ H.M. , JOKIHAARA J. , LEPPÄNEN O.V. , JÄRVINEN T. , COOPER D.M.L.
Published: May 2010

Although micro‐computed tomography (micro‐CT) has become the gold standard for assessing the 3D structure of trabecular bone, its extension to cortical bone microstructure has been relatively limited. Desktop micro‐CT has been employed to assess cortical bone porosity of humans, whereas that of smaller animals, such as mice and rats, has thus far only been imaged using synchrotron‐based micro‐CT. The goal of this study was to determine if it is possible to visualize and quantify rat cortical porosity using desktop micro‐CT. Tibiae (n = 10) from 30‐week‐old female Sprague‐Dawley rats were imaged with micro‐CT (3 μm nominal resolution) and sequential ground sections were then prepared. Bland–Altman plots were constructed to compare per cent porosity and mean canal diameter from micro‐CT (3D) versus histology (2D). The mean difference or bias (histology – micro‐CT; ±95% confidence interval) for per cent porosity was found to be −0.15% (±2.57%), which was not significantly different from zero (P= 0.720). Canal diameter had a bias (±95% confidence interval) of −5.73 μm (±4.02 μm) which was found to be significantly different from zero (P < 0.001). The results indicated that cortical porosity in rat bone can indeed be visualized by desktop micro‐CT. Quantitative assessment of per cent porosity provided unbiased results, whereas direct analysis of mean canal diameter was overestimated by micro‐CT. Thus, although higher resolution, such as that available from synchrotron micro‐CT, may ultimately be required for precise geometric measurements, desktop micro‐CT – which is far more accessible – is capable of yielding comparable measures of porosity and holds great promise for assessment of the 3D arrangement of cortical porosity in the rat.
The molecular basis of glycogen breakdown and transport in Streptococcus pneumoniae
Authors: Abbott D. Wade , Higgins Melanie A. , Hyrnuik Susanne , Pluvinage Benjamin , Lammerts van Bueren Alicia , Boraston Alisdair B.
Published: May 2010

The genome of Streptococcus pneumoniae strains, as typified by the TIGR4 strain, contain several genes encoding proteins putatively involved in α‐glucan degradation, modification and synthesis. The extracellular components comprise an ATP binding cassette‐transporter with its solute binding protein, MalX, and the hydrolytic enzyme SpuA. We show that of the commonly occurring exogenous α‐glucans, S. pneumoniae TIGR4 is only able to grow on glycogen in a MalX‐ and SpuA‐dependent manner. SpuA is able to degrade glycogen into a ladder of α‐1,4‐glucooligosaccharides while the high‐affinity interaction (Ka ∼ 106 M−1) of MalX with maltooligosaccharides plays a key role in promoting the selective uptake of the glycogen degradation products that are produced by SpuA. The X‐ray crystallographic analyses of apo‐ and complexed MalX illuminate the protein's specificity for the degradation products of glycogen and its striking ability to recognize the helical structure of the ligand. Overall, the results of this work provide new structural and functional insight into streptococcal α‐glucan metabolism while supplying biochemical support for the hypothesis that the substrate of the S. pneumoniaeα‐glucan metabolizing machinery is glycogen, which in a human host is abundant in lung epithelial cells, a common target for invasive S. pneumoniae.
Better late than early: delayed translation of intron‐encoded endonuclease I‐TevI is required for efficient splicing of its host group I intron
Authors: Gibb Ewan A. , Edgell David R.
Published: May 2010

The td group I intron interrupting the thymidylate synthase (TS) gene of phage T4 is a mobile intron that encodes the homing endonuclease I‐TevI. Efficient RNA splicing of the intron is required to restore function of the TS gene, while expression of I‐TevI from within the intron is required to initiate intron mobility. Three distinct layers of regulation temporally limit I‐TevI expression to late in the T4 infective cycle, yet the biological rationale for stringent regulation has not been tested. Here, we deleted key control elements to deregulate I‐TevI expression at early and middle times post T4 infection. Strikingly, we found that deregulation of I‐TevI, or of a catalytically inactive variant, generated a thymidine‐dependent phenotype that is caused by a reduction in td intron splicing. Prematurely terminating I‐TevI translation restores td splicing, full‐length TS synthesis, and rescues the thymidine‐dependent phenotype. We suggest that stringent translational control of I‐TevI evolved to prevent the ribosome from disrupting key structural elements of the td intron that are required for splicing and TS function at early and middle times post T4 infection. Analogous translational regulatory mechanisms in unrelated intron‐open reading frame arrangements may also function to limit deleterious consequences on splicing and host gene function.
Serum lipid levels are positively associated with non‐erosive reflux disease, but not with functional heartburn
Authors: Matsuzaki J. , Suzuki H. , Iwasaki E. , Yokoyama H. , Sugino Y. , Hibi T.
Published: May 2010

Background  Metabolic syndrome and obesity are known risk factors for gastro‐esophageal reflux disease (GERD), especially for erosive esophagitis. Although non‐erosive reflux disease (NERD) is probably associated with obesity or other metabolic syndrome, there is little direct evidence to support this assertion.

Methods  Workers in Keio University who underwent a general health examination between September 2006 and August 2007 were enrolled. Reflux symptom questionnaires were administered and metabolic parameters were obtained. The severity of gastro‐esophageal reflux (GER) was scored using a validated scale of videoesophagography.

Key Results  Two hundred and eighty‐three subjects (243 men and 40 women; mean age 49.8 ± 6.9 years) with no radiographic evidence of erosive esophagitis were enrolled. The severity of GER was worse among men than among women, whereas the severity of reflux symptoms was worse among women. The severity of GER was associated with age and serum triglyceride levels in men, and with the serum low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in women. The severity of reflux symptoms, however, was not associated with metabolic parameters. There were more women than men with reflux symptoms but without GER (‘presumed’ functional heartburn group), compared with subjects with neither GER nor reflux symptoms. In men, the presence of both reflux symptoms and GER (‘presumed’ NERD group) was associated with the serum triglyceride levels.

Conclusions & Inferences  While NERD is associated with serum lipid levels, functional heartburn is not. The prevalence of GER was greater among men; conversely, the prevalence of functional heartburn was greater among women.
Immunoendocrine host–parasite interactions during helminth infections: from the basic knowledge to its possible therapeutic applications
Authors: HERNÁNDEZ‐BELLO R. , ESCOBEDO G. , GUZMÁN C. , IBARRA‐CORONADO E. G. , LÓPEZ‐GRIEGO L. , MORALES‐MONTOR J.
Published: May 2010

Most of the current research on parasitic infections that affect humans and domestic animals has been focused on vaccines, diagnostic methods, epidemiology, new drug design, and recently, with the advancement of genomics and proteomics, on the evolutionary origins of parasites. However, the basic biology of many parasites of medical and veterinary importance has not been intensively studied. Some efforts have been made to obtain information on the parasite–host relationship; however, knowledge of the intricate neuroimmunoendocrine interactions of the host–parasite network, the consequences of this interaction on the host and parasite physiology, and its possible applications needs further investigation. We review here the literature, our own studies on the host–parasite neuroimmunoendocrine network, and how this basic knowledge can be used to design new treatments, by way of using hormones, antihormones, and hormone analogues as a possible novel therapy during parasitic diseases, with special emphasis on helminth parasites. Besides the biological interest, these investigations may contribute to the future identification of alternative treatments for several parasitic diseases. This complicated neuroimmunoendocrine network management during parasitic infections, and its physiological and behavioural consequences upon the host, may be operative in other mammalian infections. Such complexity may also help to explain the often conflicting results, observed between infections with respect to the role of the host sex and age, and hints to other avenues of research and strategies for their treatment and control.
Functional adaptation of spiriferide brachiopod morphology
Authors: SHIINO Y. , KUWAZURU O.
Published: May 2010

It has been suggested that spiriferide morphologies have evolved to adapt to a variety of environmental conditions. Through a computational fluid dynamics approach, we examined how the spiriferide original form was optimized for a lotic condition, specifically addressing the functionalization of the Devonian spiriferide brachiopod Paraspirifer bownockeri to generate passive feeding flows. The results using four models, each of which differed in the development of the spiriferide shell depression, i.e. sulcus, showed that a deeper sulcus functions to create strong spiral flows so as to align on the feeding organ inside the shell. Among the sulcus‐developed models, only the mimic of the natural form could generate comparative slow flows with a stable inflow area. The fossil record of spiriferides shows a morphological trade‐off between the development of the sulcus and wing form. We concluded that spiriferide shells with such a morphological combination evolved to produce various feeding strategies, resulting in diversification.
Low birthweight and chronic kidney disease
Authors: XU RONG , ZUO LI
Published: May 2010

Low birthweight reflects the congenital defects of organs, which is associated with chronic kidney disease through its direct influence on nephron number and function, also through related metabolic disease‐induced kidney damage. We reviewed the current evidence regarding the role of low birthweight in the pathogenesis of chronic kidney disease.
Immunoglobulin A nephropathy and chronic kidney disease
Authors: TOMINO YASUHIKO
Published: May 2010

Immunoglobulin (Ig)A nephropathy is one of the major causes of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in Japan. Despite statutory urinalysis of industrial workers and school children, Japan unfortunately still ranks among the countries with the highest CKD‐5D prevalence in the world. Topics of this review are as follow: (i) early diagnosis and treatment; (ii) influence of the period from onset to medical intervention on renal prognosis; and (iii) epidemiology of IgA nephropathy patients in Japan. Some investigators have discussed the possibility of predicting the diagnosis and prognosis of this disease. We indicated that the frequency of various casts in urinary sediments and total numbers of each type of urinary cast should provide highly convincing data for prediction of the prognosis in IgA nephropathy patients prior to renal biopsy. Furthermore, early medical intervention (anti‐platelet agents, anticoagulants, angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, corticosteroids and/or tonsillectomy) may lead to better renal prognosis in patients with IgA nephropathy. In a nationwide survey on IgA nephropathy in Japan, predictive factors after 10 years were as follows: (i) male sex; (ii) under 30 years old; (iii) diastolic hypertension; (iv) heavy proteinuria; (v) mild haematuria; (vi) low serum albumin; and (vii) elevated serum creatinine and impaired renal pathology. It appears that substantial renal deterioration can be validly estimated using these predictive factors in patients with IgA nephropathy. In conclusion, early diagnosis, treatment and improvement of predictive factors for a long duration may lead to better renal prognosis in patients with IgA nephropathy.
Implication of global nephrology guidelines in Asia and ‘Asian CKD Best Practice Guidelines’
Authors: TSUKAMOTO YUSUKE
Published: May 2010

By establishing Kidney Diseases: Improving Global Outcome (KDIGO), nephrology has taken an important step towards developing global clinical practice guidelines (CPG). KDIGO published its first CPG on ‘Hepatitis C in CKD’ in 2008 and has since published two new CPG (‘CKD‐MBD’ and ‘Kidney Transplant Recipient’) in 2009. A major obstacle to implement CPG is the lack of both high‐quality evidence for regionally‐specific areas of medicine and a lack of resources in many countries in our region. However, an endeavor by the Asian Forum of CKD Initiative (AFCKDI) may make it possible to overcome these obstacles. By developing regionally‐specific CKD guidelines, the AFCKDI might identify relevant evidence gaps and by using specific expertise develop a standard of patient care appropriate to the Asia–Pacific region. This can be accomplished only by engaging a group of international experts who fully represent the Asia–Pacific area.
Salt and hypertension
Authors: RITZ EBERHARD
Published: May 2010

Current salt intake is too high. Current evidence documents that salt is crucial to the genesis of hypertension.
Chronic kidney disease awareness, screening and prevention: Rationale for the design of a public education program
Authors: COLLINS ALLAN J , GILBERTSON DAVID T , SNYDER JON J , CHEN SHU‐CHENG , FOLEY ROBERT N
Published: May 2010

Design principles for a chronic kidney disease (CKD) screening program start with the general population at increased risk of CKD. Simple risk factor analysis demonstrates diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease and older age as significant associated conditions. More comprehensive risk factor analysis shows only diabetes and hypertension as risk factors in people aged less than 50–60 years, and that anyone aged older than 50–60 years is at risk. Assessment of the relationship between CKD stage and cardiovascular risk factors shows early stage CKD to be associated with poor blood pressure control, which should be addressed. Other risk factors should be more completely assessed to determine if participants and their physicians are adequately addressing factors amenable to treatment to reduce high adverse event rates, premature death and progression to end‐stage renal disease (ESRD). Such assessment is needed to reduce the high burden of ESRD on national health‐care systems, which can only be addressed by early screening and active treatment.
Proteinuria versus albuminuria in chronic kidney disease
Authors: GUH JINN‐YUH
Published: May 2010

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is defined according to a decrease in the glomerular filtration rate and kidney damage such as proteinuria or albuminuria. Dip‐stick proteinuria is only sensitive to albumin and correlates poorly with quantitative 24 h proteinuria, the most commonly used measure in renoprotective randomized controlled clinical trials (RCT). The amount of proteinuria correlates with the efficacy of angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors in non‐diabetics in RCT. Random urine protein to creatinine ratio (PCR) or albumin to creatinine ratio (ACR) correlates with 24 h urinary excretion. Dip‐stick proteinuria correlates poorly with ACR, while PCR correlates reasonably well with ACR. Because of a high analytical variability, efforts are in progress to standardize ACR (but not PCR) measurement. There have been no studies on the direct comparison between proteinuria and albuminuria in terms of utilities (biomarker, surrogate end‐point and cost‐effectiveness). In this regard, both proteinuria and albuminuria are good biomarkers for cardiovascular events, renal events or mortality. However, there are limitations in RCT regarding the validity of proteinuria or albuminuria as a surrogate end‐point. In contrast, measuring proteinuria or albuminuria followed by treatment with angiotensin inhibitors is cost‐effective for diabetics, hypertension and aging. CKD guidelines differ in their opinions regarding the choice between ACR and PCR. Based on the current evidence, ACR might be recommended for the diabetics and PCR for the non‐diabetics.
Experiences of widows with children: A qualitative study about spousal death in Iran
Authors: Khosravan Shahla , Salehi Shayesteh , Ahmadi Fazlollah , Sharif Farkhondeh , Zamani Ahmadreza
Published: May 2010

The experience of the spousal bereavement of widows who are single parents has been largely neglected in the literature. This qualitative study provides insight into how such women grieved over their spouse's death in Iran. In‐depth interviews with 24 participants were held and field notes were written. The generated data were analyzed by using the constant comparative method. The results indicated four main categories: “intense grief”, “becoming hopeless”, “internalizing bereavement and continuing bonds”, and “the contexts of experience of spousal death”. The fourth category consisted of two subcategories: “the unexpected nature of death” and “full dependence”. The findings suggested that hopelessness related to spousal death changed the lifestyles of the participants, which led to health risks in these women. We conclude that it is the duty of health‐care professionals, especially nurses, to first identify widows at risk, with the help of the contexts of experience of spousal death and the symptoms presented in this study, and then to provide hope therapy, which can facilitate positive bereavement outcomes for healthier living after spousal death.
Compassion fatigue within nursing practice: A concept analysis
Authors: Coetzee Siedine Knobloch , Klopper Hester C.
Published: May 2010

“Compassion fatigue” was first introduced in relation to the study of burnout among nurses, but it was never defined within this context; it has since been adopted as a synonym for secondary traumatic stress disorder, which is far removed from the original meaning of the term. The aim of the study was to define compassion fatigue within nursing practice. The method that was used in this article was concept analysis. The findings revealed several categories of compassion fatigue: risk factors, causes, process, and manifestations. The characteristics of each of these categories are specified and a connotative (theoretical) definition, model case, additional cases, empirical indicators, and a denotative (operational) definition are provided. Compassion fatigue progresses from a state of compassion discomfort to compassion stress and, finally, to compassion fatigue, which if not effaced in its early stages of compassion discomfort or compassion stress, can permanently alter the compassionate ability of the nurse. Recommendations for nursing practice, education, and research are discussed.
What Can Austin Tell Us about Truth?
Authors: Hershfield Jeffrey
Published: May 2010

In recent discussions of the problem of truth, Austin's views have been largely overlooked. This is unfortunate, since many of his criticisms aimed at Strawson's redundancy theory carry over to more recent incarnations of deflationism. And unlike contemporary versions of the correspondence theory of truth, Austin's manages properly to situate truth in its conceptual neighbourhood wherein it belongs to “a whole dimension of different appraisals which have something or other to do with the relation between what we say and the facts.” A proper analysis of truth cannot be given apart from a broader study of speech acts.
Cross‐Border Exposures and Financial Contagion
Authors: DEGRYSE HANS , ELAHI MUHAMMAD ATHER , PENAS MARIA FABIANA
Published: May 2010

Integrated financial markets provide opportunities for expansion and improved risk sharing, but also pose threats of contagion risk through cross‐border exposures. This paper examines cross‐border contagion risk over the period 1999–2006. To that purpose we use aggregate cross‐border exposures of 17 countries as reported in the Bank for International Settlements Consolidated Banking Statistics. We find that a shock that affects the liabilities of one country may undermine the stability of the entire financial system. Particularly, a shock wiping out 25% (35%) of US (UK) cross‐border liabilities against non‐US (non‐UK) banks could lead to bank contagion eroding at least 94% (45%) of the recipient countries' banking assets. We also find that since 2006 a shock to Eastern Europe, Turkey and Russia affects most countries. Our simulations also reveal that the ‘speed of propagation of contagion’ has increased in recent years resulting in a higher number of directly exposed banking systems. Finally, we find that contagion is more widespread in geographical proximities.
Carbetocin versus oxytocin for the prevention of postpartum haemorrhage following caesarean section: the results of a double‐blind randomised trial
Authors: Attilakos G , Psaroudakis D , Ash J , Buchanan R , Winter C , Donald F , Hunt LP , Draycott T
Published: May 2010

Please cite this paper as: Attilakos G, Psaroudakis D, Ash J, Buchanan R, Winter C, Donald F, Hunt L, Draycott T. Carbetocin versus oxytocin for the prevention of postpartum haemorrhage following caesarean section: the results of a double‐blind randomised trial. BJOG 2010;117:929–936.

Objective  To compare the effectiveness of carbetocin and oxytocin when they are administered after caesarean section for prevention of postpartum haemorrhage (PPH).

Study design  Double‐blind randomised single centre study (1:1 ratio).

Setting  Teaching hospital in Bristol, UK with 6000 deliveries per annum.

Population  Women at term undergoing elective or emergency caesarean section under regional anaesthesia, excluding women with placenta praevia, multiple gestation and placental abruption.

Methods  Women were randomised to receive either carbetocin 100 μg or oxytocin 5 IU intravenously after the delivery of the baby. Perioperative care was otherwise normal and use of additional oxytocics was at the discretion of the operating obstetrician. Analysis was by intention to treat.

Primary outcome measure  The proportion of women in each arm of the trial that needed additional pharmacological oxytocic interventions.

Results  Significantly more women needed additional oxytocics in the oxytocin group (45.5% versus 33.5%, Relative risk 0.74, 95% CI 0.57–0.95). The majority of women had oxytocin infusions. There were no significant differences in the secondary outcomes, including major PPH, blood transfusions and fall in haemoglobin.

Conclusions  Carbetocin is associated with a reduced use of additional oxytocics. It is unclear whether this may reduce rates of PPH and blood transfusions.
Examining the effect of positive behaviour support on academic achievement of students with disabilities
Authors: Chitiyo Morgan , Makweche‐Chitiyo Plaxedes , Park Meungguk , Ametepee Lawrence K , Chitiyo Jonathan
Published: May 2010

Students who engage in challenging behaviour compromise the fundamental ability of schools to educate children. Consequently, teachers face the daunting task of designing effective strategies to promote positive educational outcomes for their students. Since the 1997 Individuals with Disabilities Education Act amendments, the use of positive behaviour supports (PBS) to address the behavioural needs of children challenged by disabilities has expanded. There is evidence to support the utility of PBS in reducing challenging behaviour among students. However, successful schools are also gauged by the academic achievement of their students. Hence, it is important to examine the extent to which behavioural outcomes are related to academic outcomes. The purpose of this paper is to examine the extent to which PBS interventions aimed at reducing challenging behaviour result in corresponding improvement in academic achievement. A meta‐analysis of extant research indicated a positive correlation of 0.40 between improvement in problem behaviour and academic achievement.

A video abstract of this article can be viewed at: http://youtu.be/c9OUU0GkGrw.
Activity‐ and age‐dependent modulation of GABAergic neurotransmission by System A‐mediated glutamine uptake
Authors: Brown Molly N. , Mathews Gregory C.
Published: May 2010

J. Neurochem. (2010) 114, 909–920.

GABAergic neurotransmission adapts to maintain normal brain function in a wide range of activity states through multiple mechanisms; pre‐synaptic control of quantal size has only recently gained recognition as one of those mechanisms. GABA synthesis from glutamate is coupled with vesicular packaging, and therefore the supply of glutamate can affect inhibitory synaptic strength. Because System A transporters supply glutamine to neurons, where it is converted to glutamate, we hypothesized that regulation of the activity of these transporters could alter glutamine uptake and provide a mechanism to link supply to demand for neurotransmitter GABA. In immature and mature rat hippocampus, after a period of hyperexcitability, we observed a System A‐dependent enhancement of inhibitory synaptic strength along with an increase in System A activity in synaptosomes under the same conditions. Under resting conditions, System A’s contribution of glutamine to synaptic GABA diminished with age, correlating with reduced SNAT1/SAT1 expression and, even more so, with its activity on synaptic membranes. We conclude that System A activity is highly regulated, by depolarization and developmental cues, to dynamically modulate GABAergic transmission. Our evidence suggests that SNAT1/SAT1 is the transporter that plays a critical role in dynamically modulating inhibition in response to metabolic demands.
Social status influences microhabitat selection: breeder and floater Eagle OwlsBubo bubouse different post sites
Authors: CAMPIONI LETIZIA , DELGADO MARÍA D. M. , PENTERIANI VINCENZO
Published: May 2010

Social status can be reflected in many aspects of an individual’s behaviour and ecology, including habitat use and conspecific interactions. In territorial species where at least two social groups – breeding birds and non‐territorial floaters – are recognized, the diverse tasks associated with territorial ownership can lead territory holders to behave differently from the non‐territorial part of the population. Territory holders defend their breeding area and reproduce, whereas floating individuals are dispersing and lead a more transient life, during which they do not show any territorial behaviour even when settling in a more or less fixed area (known as the stop phase). As social interactions are based on visual and vocal cues, the use of specific sites for sending and/or receiving signals can be a crucial choice in an animal’s life. By analysing the post‐site selection of Eagle OwlBubo bubobreeders and floaters during their nocturnal activity, we found that: (1) territory holders selected more visible and dominant posts than non‐territorial floaters; (2) the choice of posts made by floating individuals did not differ between the wandering and stop phases of dispersal; and (3) floating females intruded more frequently than floating males within a breeder’s home‐range. These findings highlight the fact that two social strategies are possible within the same species, depending on an individual’s social status and its related tasks. Breeders could take advantage of visible locations to declare their status as territory holders, whereas floaters could benefit from a more secretive life to wander unnoticed among occupied territories. This secretive life would help floaters to reduce the risks associated with conspecific aggression. Finally, the greater occurrence of floating females within breeders’ home‐ranges can be explained by the fact that female incursions in a breeder’s home‐range are less risky than male intrusions.
The importance of spatial and temporal scale for agri‐environment scheme delivery
Authors: SIRIWARDENA GAVIN M.
Published: May 2010

There is currently little evidence that wider countryside agri‐environment scheme (AES) management has led to population‐level benefits for farmland birds and it is timely to consider why this might be the case, so that AES options can be improved if necessary. Two reasons why particular options might not deliver landscape‐scale population benefits are that they do not take account of the full temporal scale of a resource gap for birds and that they do not provide resources at an appropriate spatial scale for the target population. This paper reviews the published evidence on both issues, focusing on the results of landscape‐scale field experiments that used winter seed provision as a model AES option. There is strong evidence that most existing measures that aim to provide overwinter food resources for granivorous birds fail to do so during the late winter period, when the need for the resource is likely to be greatest. Consideration of within‐season changes, such as vegetation growth and management of vegetation height, could also increase the value of options such as field margins for birds. Published research and new data together suggest that a separation of c. 1 km between winter food patches would provide all individuals in local Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs and Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella populations with access to the resource. This separation tallies well with the recommendation in Environmental Stewardship in England that seed crop patches should be sown in patches no larger than 2 ha, with no more than 3 ha/km2. Spatial scale issues could also be critical for AES success in terms of the degree to which complementary resources, within or between seasons, are sufficiently close to one another for the same birds to access the resources that they need. Although they are based on sound evidence, modern AESs might still be improved by revision of their organization or management prescriptions. Revisions that take both the temporal and the spatial scale of resource provision into account will be necessary if farmland bird population recovery goals are to be met. Such revisions could include seed crops or mixes managed specifically to provide food in late winter and the coordination of AES agreements between neighbouring farms to ensure that sufficient resources are provided at the appropriate spatial scale.
Matching models to data: a receptor pharmacologist's guide
Authors: Hall David A , Langmead Christopher J
Published: May 2010

In this review we discuss a number of topics related to fitting mechanistic mathematical models to experimental data. These can be divided broadly into issues to consider before beginning an experiment or fitting a model and the advantages of direct fitting of a model over other methods of analysis (e.g. null methods).

We have sought to address some commonplace issues of receptor pharmacology with some real‐life examples: How should dilutions be distributed along a concentration–response curve? How do problems with dilutions manifest in assay results? What assumptions are made when certain analysis models are applied? What is global data fitting and how does it work? How can it be applied to improve data analysis? How can models such as one‐site and two‐site fits be compared? What is the principal behind statistical comparison of data fits?

It is our hope that after reading this review you will have a greater appreciation of assay planning and subsequent data analysis and interpretation which will improve the quality of the data that you generate.

LINKED ARTICLESThis article is part of a themed section on Analytical Receptor Pharmacology in Drug Discovery. To view the other articles in this section visithttp://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.2010.161.issue‐6