bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
p27Kip1 is overexpressed in very early stages of hepatocarcinogenesis
Authors: Yachida Shinichi , Sakamoto Michiie , Imaida Katsumi , Yokohira Masanao , Saoo Kousuke , Okano Keiichi , Wakabayashi Hisao , Maeta Hajime , Suzuki Yasuyuki
Published: September 2008

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) associated with chronic liver disease evolves from precancerous lesions and early HCC to more malignant forms. Despite the demonstrated importance of cell‐cycle regulators in tumor biology, there have been few studies of their role in multistep hepatocarcinogenesis. Expression of p27Kip1 and a degradation pathway associated protein, S‐phase kinase‐interacting protein 2 (Skp2), was therefore evaluated in surgically resected specimens of eight adenomatous hyperplasias, 16 early HCC and 126 classical HCC. Immunohistochemistry revealed no p27Kip1 expression in the majority of hepatocytes from normal and cirrhotic liver, whereas positive staining for p27Kip1 protein was found in 75.0% and 93.8% of adenomatous hyperplasias and early HCC, respectively. The average p27Kip1 labeling indices (LI) for adenomatous hyperplasias, early HCC, well differentiated HCC, moderately differentiated HCC and poorly differentiated HCC were 36.99, 43.59, 47.73, 49.24, and 30.21, respectively. Real‐time quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) analyses confirmed the increases. Skp2 LI were also significantly elevated in accordance with stepwise progression of hepatocarcinogenesis. Increased expression of Skp2 mRNA was observed most frequently in less differentiated tumors and Kaplan–Meier survival analysis showed a significantly association with a poor prognosis (P = 0.0496). In conclusion, a high level of p27Kip1 expression is evident from early stages of hepatocarcinogenesis, indicating that this parameter could be a useful diagnostic marker for precancerous lesions and early HCC. In addition, Skp2 expression correlates with tumor dedifferentiation and may contribute to biological aggression in HCC. (Cancer Sci 2008; 99: 2152–2159)
Metformin suppresses intestinal polyp growth in ApcMin/+ mice
Authors: Tomimoto Ayako , Endo Hiroki , Sugiyama Michiko , Fujisawa Toshio , Hosono Kunihiro , Takahashi Hirokazu , Nakajima Noriko , Nagashima Yoji , Wada Koichiro , Nakagama Hitoshi , Nakajima Atsushi
Published: September 2008

Metformin is a biguanide derivative that is widely used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. One of the pharmacological targets of metformin is adenosine monophosphate‐activated protein kinase (AMPK). We investigated the effect of metformin on the suppression of intestinal polyp formation in ApcMin/+ mice. Administration of metformin (250 mg/kg) did not reduce the total number of intestinal polyp formations, but significantly reduced the number of intestinal polyp formations larger than 2 mm in diameter in ApcMin/+ mice. To examine the indirect effect of metformin, the index of insulin resistance and serum lipid levels in ApcMin/+ mice were assessed. These factors were not significantly attenuated by the treatment with metformin, indicating that the suppression of polyp growth is not due to the indirect drug action. The levels of tumor cell proliferation as determined by 5‐bromodeoxyuridine and proliferating cell nuclear antigen immunohistochemical staining, and apoptosis, via transferase deoxytidyl uridine end labeling staining, in the polyps of metformin‐treated mice were not significantly different in comparison to those of control mice. Gene expression of cyclin D1 and c‐myc in intestinal polyps were also not significantly different between those two groups. In contrast, metformin activated AMPK in the intestinal polyps, resulting in the inhibition of the activation of mammalian target of rapamycin, which play important roles in the protein synthesis machinery. Metformin suppressed the polyp growth in ApcMin/+ mice, suggesting that it may be a novel candidate as a chemopreventive agent for colorectal cancer. (Cancer Sci 2008; 99: 2136–2141)
Hypoxia‐inducible enhancer/α‐fetoprotein promoter‐driven RNA interference targeting STK15 suppresses proliferation and induces apoptosis in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells
Authors: Gao Ping , Wang Rui , Shen Jian‐Jun , Lin Fang , Wang Xi , Dong Ke , Zhang Hui‐Zhong
Published: September 2008

STK15 (Aurora A/BTAK) is an oncogenic serine/threonine kinase that plays a role in centrosome separation and in the formation of the mitotic bipolar spindle. It is highly expressed and constitutively activated in various human tumors including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). To investigate its possibility as a molecular target for future therapies directed against hepatocellular carcinoma, we constructed a tissue‐specific RNA interference (RNAi) system mediated by hypoxia‐inducible (HI) enhancer/α‐fetoprotein (AFP) promoter and employed it to downregulate exogenous reporters (LUC and EGFP) and endogenous STK15 gene expression and analyzed the phenotypical changes in HCC cells. Results showed that the expression of exogenous reporters (LUC and EGFP) was specifically downregulated in hepatoma cells but not in non‐hepatoma cells. Moreover, the specific downregulation of STK15 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HepG2) significantly inhibited in vitro cellular proliferation and in vivo tumorigenicity. Furthermore, we also found that the downregulation of STK15 expression led to cell arrest in the G2/M phase and finally apoptosis induction of HepG2 cells. Thus, the HI enhancer/AFP promoter‐mediated RNAi targeting STK15 may be a potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma with tumor specificity and high efficacy. (Cancer Sci 2008; 99: 2209–2217)
Tectonic and climatic control on growth and demise of the Phanh Rang Carbonate Platform offshore south Vietnam
Authors: Fyhn Michael B. W. , Boldreel Lars O. , Nielsen Lars H.
Published: September 2008

The Phan Rang Carbonate Platform located offshore south Vietnam covers more than 15 000 km2, making it one of the largest carbonate platforms in the South China Sea. Based on 2‐D seismic analysis, this paper outlines the platform evolution and analyzes the regional tectonic, climatic and oceanic factors that controlled the platform growth and demise. This study of the Phan Rang Carbonate Platform therefore provides an analogue to the regions late Neogene carbonates that form important targets for petroleum exploration. Platform growth initiated during the late middle Miocene along the open marine Vietnamese margin and continued throughout the late synrift to early postrift period of the area terminating around Pliocene time. During this period, the structural grain, local and regional tectonics as well as oceanographic effects exerted major controls on carbonate deposition. Optimal growth conditions existed during initial platform deposition and locally accumulation rates reached ca. 230 m Ma−1. Late Miocene regional uplift caused subaerial exposure that interrupted platform growth and caused intense karstification. A gradual reestablishment of marine conditions promoted renewed platform growth. However, carbonate production was stressed by increased terrigenous input caused by onshore uplift and by inorganic nutrification of the surface waters. Nutrification probably occurred in response to increased nutrient influx derived from onshore denudation, enhanced periodically by soil ravinement during transgression. The onset or intensification of summer upwelling along the southern platform margin occurred in response to the onshore uplift and most likely contributed to the nutrification. The deteriorated growth conditions and fast subsidence resulted in platform split‐up, backstepping and local drowning. Subsequently, isolated platforms nucleated on structural highs as transgression continued. The remaining platforms thrived for a period but eventually failed to keep pace with subsidence, backstepped and drowned. The longest surviving platform now crops out at the seafloor at ca. 500 m depth.
Effectiveness and safety of short vs. long duration of antibiotic therapy for acute bacterial sinusitis: a meta‐analysis of randomized trials
Authors: Falagas Matthew E. , Karageorgopoulos Drosos E. , Grammatikos Alexandros P. , Matthaiou Dimitrios K.
Published: September 2008

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT

• Treatment guidelines generally support that a 10–14‐day antibiotic regimen should be administered to uncomplicated acute bacterial sinusitis patients.

• However, the level of evidence for such a recommendation is rather weak.

• Treatment of such duration may have disadvantages compared with a shorter duration but equally effective regimen, including the promotion of bacterial drug resistance, poorest patient compliance, higher toxicity, and a greater overall economic burden.

WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS

• The findings of this meta‐analysis suggest that short‐course antibiotic treatment has similar effectiveness to longer‐course treatment for patients with acute uncomplicated bacterial sinusitis, when treatment is warranted.

• However, we should underscore the importance of the clinician's own assessment, so that antimicrobial therapy should not inappropriately be curtailed in a patient not adequately responding to the regimen administered.

We sought to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of short‐course antibiotic treatment for acute bacterial sinusitis (ABS) compared with longer duration treatment. We performed a meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs), identified by searching PubMed and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. We included RCTs that compared short‐course (up to 7 days) vs. long‐course therapy (≥2 days longer than short‐course), with the same antimicrobial agent, in the same daily dosage, for patients with ABS. Twelve RCTs (10 double‐blinded) involving adult patients with radiologically confirmed ABS were included. There was no difference in the comparison of short‐course (3–7 days) with long‐course treatment (6–10 days) regarding clinical success [12 RCTs, 4430 patients, fixed effect model (FEM), odds ratio (OR) 0.95, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.81, 1.12]; microbiological efficacy; relapses; adverse events (10 RCTs, 4172 patients, random effects model, OR 0.88, 95% CI 0.71, 1.09); or withdrawals due to adverse events. In the sensitivity analysis comparing 5‐ vs. 10‐day regimens, clinical success was similar, although adverse events were fewer with short‐course treatment (5 RCTs, 2151 patients, FEM, OR 0.79, 95% CI 0.63, 0.98). Although antibiotics for acute sinusitis should be reserved for select patients with substantial probability of bacterial disease, accurate clinical diagnosis is often difficult to attain. Short‐course antibiotic treatment had comparable effectiveness to a longer course of therapy for ABS. Shortened treatment, particularly for patients without severe disease and complicating factors, might lead to fewer adverse events, better patient compliance, lower rates of resistance development and fewer costs.
Effect of statins on a wide range of health outcomes: a cohort study validated by comparison with randomized trials
Authors: Smeeth Liam , Douglas Ian , Hall Andrew J. , Hubbard Richard , Evans Stephen
Published: September 2008

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT

• The effect of statins on cardiovascular outcomes is well established.

• Effects on numerous other health outcomes have been claimed, but results have been inconsistent.

• Previous observational studies may have been affected by selection bias and confounding.

WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS

• This study was larger and more statistically powerful than the combined total of data from all randomized trials of statins undertaken to date.

• The validity of the study is supported by findings for vascular outcomes being comparable to those observed in large randomized controlled trials.

• There was little evidence to support effects of statins beyond their established effects on cardiovascular disease.

AIMS

To assess the effect of statins on a range of health outcomes.

METHODS

We undertook a population‐based cohort study to assess the effect of statins on a range of health outcomes using a propensity score‐based method to control for differences between people prescribed and not prescribed statins. We validated our design by comparing our results for vascular outcomes with the effects established in large randomized trials. The study was based on the United Kingdom Health Improvement Network database that includes the computerized medical records of over four and a half million patients.

RESULTS

People who initiated treatment with a statin (n = 129 288) were compared with a matched sample of 600 241 people who did not initiate treatment, with a median follow‐up period of 4.4 years. Statin use was not associated with an effect on a wide range of outcomes, including infections, fractures, venous thromboembolism, gastrointestinal haemorrhage, or on specific eye, neurological or autoimmune diseases. A protective effect against dementia was observed (hazard ratio 0.80, 99% confidence interval 0.68, 0.95). There was no effect on the risk of cancer even after ≥8 years of follow‐up. The effect sizes for statins on vascular end‐points and mortality were comparable to those observed in large randomized trials, suggesting bias and confounding had been well controlled for.

CONCLUSIONS

We found little evidence to support wide‐ranging effects of statins on health outcomes beyond their established beneficial effect on vascular disease.
Antiparkinsonian drug‐induced sleepiness: a double‐blind placebo‐controlled study of L‐dopa, bromocriptine and pramipexole in healthy subjects
Authors: Micallef Joëlle , Rey Marc , Eusebio Alexandre , Audebert Christine , Rouby Frank , Jouve Elisabeth , Tardieu Sophie , Blin Oliver
Published: September 2008

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT

• Dopamine agonists used in Parkinson's disease patients are associated with excessive daytime sleepiness and sleep attacks occurring without prior warning.

• Parkinson's disease accounts in itself for a variety of sleep disorders. It is therefore important to study the drug‐induced sleepiness in healthy volunteers.

• In healthy subjects, pramipexole has proved to decrease alertness and ropinirole to reduce sleep latency.

WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS

• Results from our study show that pramipexole reduces the mean sleep latency as measured by the Multiple Sleep Latency Test in healthy volunteers, hence providing an objective measure of increased sleepiness.

• Furthermore, the reduction in sleep latency was not associated with a subjective impression of increased sleepiness.

• Such dissociation may underlie the occurrence of sleep attacks without prior warning.

AIMS

To assess the sleepiness induced by pramipexole, a D2/D3‐dopamine receptor agonist commonly used in Parkinson's disease and restless legs syndrome, without the problem of the confounding factors related to the disease.

METHODS

Placebo, bromocriptine (2.5 mg), L‐dopa (100 mg) and pramipexole (0.5 mg) were administered in a single oral dose on four separate days, with at least a 2‐week wash‐out period in a randomized cross‐over design. Induced somnolence was assessed using Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT) and subjective scaling of vigilance. Twelve male subjects (26.3 ± 5.5 years old) without anxiety, mood, sleep or sedation disorders were enrolled.

RESULTS

Pramipexole significantly reduced mean sleep latency compared with placebo 3 h 30 min [−6.1 min (−9.8, −2.4), P = 0.002] and 5 h 30 min [−5.6 min (−7.7, −3.5), P = 0.003] after administration. In addition, the total duration of sleep during the tests was higher with pramipexole than with placebo [+6.0 min (2.3, 9.7), P < 0.001]. These differences were not observed with L‐dopa and bromocriptine in comparison with placebo. The induced sleepiness was not associated with an increase in subjective somnolence scaling, indicating that this adverse event may occur without prior warning.

CONCLUSIONS

These results show that a single oral dose of pramipexole induces sleepiness as assessed by MSLT in healthy young subjects, independent of disease‐related sleep dysfunction.
Modelling spread of the invasive macrophyte Cabomba caroliniana
Authors: JACOBS MICHAEL J. , MACISAAC HUGH J.
Published: September 2008

1. Predicting spread of non‐indigenous species requires an understanding of where propagules are being transported, and whether these propagules can survive in the novel habitat and successfully integrate into the recipient community. In this study, we model potential spread of invading Cabomba caroliniana in Ontario, Canada, using a combination of passive and active dispersal models coupled with an environmental suitability model, thereby considering the first two stages of the invasion process.

2. Measures of propagule pressure incorporated both human‐mediated dispersal via trailered boats, and advective flow from invaded to non‐invaded systems, while habitat suitability was forecasted by combining native and global data sets and using boosted regression trees.

3. Risk of invasion differed depending on the combination of approaches used and the time period considered. Three lakes appear to be at greatest risk owing to a combination of high boater and water movement from invaded sources, and high environmental suitability. The best predictors of lake suitability were pH, mean lake temperature and dissolved calcium concentration. Hundreds of lakes in Ontario may be suitable for establishment of Cabomba, highlighting the need for vector management.
Continuous growth of the giant grass Zizaniopsis bonariensis in subtropical wetlands
Authors: FERREIRA TIAGO FINKLER , VAN NES EGBERT H. , MARQUES DAVID MOTTA
Published: September 2008

1. Zizaniopsis bonariensis (giant grass) is an emergent macrophyte species endemic to subtropical wetlands in Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay. In this study, we show the effects of its continuous clonal reproduction and its ‘phalanx’ growth strategy in the Taim Wetland (southern Brazil).

2. The continuous clonal growth of this 3‐m high grass gave rise to the emergence of 11.7 new shoots m−2 per month and a high total above ground production (2870 g dry weight m−2 year−1). The biomass of the new shoots emerging every month formed a wave of growth, moderated by only weak seasonal variation.

3. We show its phalanx growth strategy by analysing the variations in population density and shoot height within a transect through the stand canopy. The inverse relation between density and height from the border to the interior indicates self‐regulation of biomass.

4. The plants modified their environment, enhancing resistance to drought within the stand and thus facilitating their dominance. This positive feedback suggests that the dominance of the plant might constitute an alternative state in subtropical wetlands.
Influence of forward head posture on condylar position
Authors: OHMURE H. , MIYAWAKI S. , NAGATA J. , IKEDA K. , YAMASAKI K. , AL‐KALALY A.
Published: September 2008

Summary  There are several reports suggesting that forward head posture is associated with temporomandibular disorders and restraint of mandibular growth, possibly due to mandibular displacement posteriorly. However, there have been few reports in which the condylar position was examined in forward head posture. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that the condyle moves posteriorly in the forward head posture. The condylar position and electromyography from the masseter, temporal and digastric muscles were recorded on 15 healthy male adults at mandibular rest position in the natural head posture and deliberate forward head posture. The condylar position in the deliberate forward head posture was significantly more posterior than that in the natural head posture. The activity of the masseter and digastric muscles in the deliberate forward head posture was slightly increased. These results suggest that the condyle moves posteriorly in subjects with forward head posture.
The genome of Rhodobacter sphaeroides strain 2.4.1 encodes functional cobinamide salvaging systems of archaeal and bacterial origins
Authors: Gray Michael J. , Tavares Norbert K. , Escalante‐Semerena Jorge C.
Published: September 2008

Bacteria and archaea use distinct pathways for salvaging exogenous cobinamide (Cbi), a precursor of adenosylcobalamin (coenzyme B12). The bacterial pathway depends on a bifunctional enzyme with kinase and guanylyltransferase activities (CobP in aerobic adenosylcobalamin synthesizers) to convert adenosylcobinamide (AdoCbi) to AdoCbi‐guanosine diphosphate (AdoCbi‐GDP) via an AdoCbi‐phosphate intermediate. Archaea lack CobP, and use a different strategy for the synthesis of AdoCbi‐GDP. Archaea cleave off the aminopropanol group of AdoCbi using the CbiZ AdoCbi amidohydrolase to generate adenosylcobyric acid, which is converted to AdoCbi‐phosphate by the CbiB synthetase, and to AdoCbi‐GDP by the CobY guanylyltransferase. We report phylogenetic, in vivo and in vitro evidence that the genome of Rhodobacter sphaeroides encodes functional enzymes for Cbi salvaging systems of both bacterial and archaeal origins. Products of the reactions were identified by high‐performance liquid chromatography, UV‐visible spectroscopy and bioassay. The cbiZ genes of several bacteria and archaea restored Cbi salvaging in a strain of Salmonella enterica unable to salvage Cbi. Phylogenetic data led us to conclude that CbiZ is an enzyme of archaeal origin that was horizontally transferred to bacteria. Reasons why some bacteria may contain both types of Cbi salvaging systems are discussed.
Identification of a novel protein promoting the colonization and survival of Finegoldia magna, a bacterial commensal and opportunistic pathogen
Authors: Frick Inga‐Maria , Karlsson Christofer , Mörgelin Matthias , Olin Anders I. , Janjusevic Radmila , Hammarström Clara , Holst Elisabet , De Château Maarten , Björck Lars
Published: September 2008

Anaerobic bacteria dominate the human normal microbiota, but strikingly little is known about these commensals. Finegoldia magna is a Gram‐positive anaerobe found in the skin and at other non‐sterile body surfaces, but it is also an opportunistic pathogen. This study describes a novel protein designated FAF (F. magna adhesion factor) and expressed by more than 90% of F. magna isolates. The protein is present in substantial quantities at the F. magna surface but is also released from the surface. FAF forms large protein aggregates in solution and surface‐associated FAF causes bacterial clumping. In skin F. magna bacteria were localized to the epidermis, where they adhere to basement membranes. FAF was found to mediate this adhesion via interactions with BM‐40, a basement membrane protein. The biological significance of FAF is further underlined by the observation that it blocks the activity of LL‐37, a major human antibacterial peptide. Altogether, the data demonstrate that FAF plays an important role in colonization and survival of F. magna in the human host.
A small‐RNA‐mediated negative feedback loop controls quorum‐sensing dynamics in Vibrio harveyi
Authors: Tu Kimberly C. , Waters Christopher M. , Svenningsen Sine L. , Bassler Bonnie L.
Published: September 2008

The bioluminescent marine bacterium Vibrio harveyi uses a cell‐to‐cell communication process called quorum sensing (QS) to co‐ordinate behaviours in response to changes in population density. QS is accomplished through the secretion and detection of extracellular signalling molecules called autoinducers. At the centre of the V. harveyi QS circuit are five small regulatory RNAs called Qrr1–5 which destabilize the mRNA of luxR, encoding LuxR, the master transcriptional regulator of QS target genes. Here we show that LuxR directly activates transcription of qrr2, qrr3 and qrr4, leading to the rapid downregulation of luxR. The LuxR‐binding sites in the promoters of qrr2, qrr3 and qrr4 were identified and mutated to determine the consequences of this regulatory loop on QS dynamics. Disruption of the loop delays the transition from high to low cell density, and more significantly, decreases the cell density at which the population reaches a quorum. Our results suggest that feedback is essential for optimizing the dynamics of the transitions between individual and group behaviours.
Parent‐reported adverse food reactions in Hong Kong Chinese pre‐schoolers: epidemiology, clinical spectrum and risk factors
Authors: Leung Ting Fan , Yung Edmund , Wong Yun Sze , Lam Christopher W. K. , Wong Gary W. K.
Published: September 2008

The epidemiology of adverse food reactions (AFRs), including the potentially life‐threatening food allergy (FA), in Asia is unclear. AFR is believed to be less prevalent than in Caucasians. This study determines the prevalence, clinical features and risk factors for parent‐reported AFR in Chinese pre‐school children in Hong Kong. Children aged 2–7 yr living in Hong Kong were recruited through local nurseries and kindergartens to ascertain the occurrence and clinical spectrum of AFR and other atopic disorders. Subjects’ parents answered a self‐administered questionnaire that was modified and validated based on the International Study of Asthma and Allergy in Childhood. A total of 3827 children from 21 nurseries and kindergartens returned the study questionnaires, and information on AFR was analyzable for 3677 (96.1%) children. The prevalence rates of parent‐reported AFR and parent‐reported, doctor‐diagnosed AFR were 8.1% and 4.6%, respectively, whereas 5.0% of pre‐schoolers had doctor‐diagnosed asthma. The six leading causes of AFR were shellfish (15.8%), egg (9.1%), peanut (8.1%), beef (6.4%), cow’s milk (5.7%), and tree nuts (5.0%). When compared with children born and raised in Hong Kong, children born in mainland China (n = 253) had less parent‐reported AFR (4.0% vs. 6.7%; p = 0.016). On logistic regression, parent‐reported AFR was associated with younger age (p = 0.010), born in mainland China (p = 0.038), and AFR history in father (p = 0.001), mother (p < 0.001), siblings (p = 0.020), and paternal history of rhinitis (p = 0.044). This study shows that AFR is a common atopic disorder in Hong Kong pre‐school children, and prevalence rates are comparable to the Caucasians.
Cranial shape and correlated characters in crocodilian evolution
Authors: SADLEIR RUDYARD W. , MAKOVICKY PETER J.
Published: September 2008

Crocodilians show a high degree of cranial variation and convergence throughout their 80 million‐year fossil record that complicates their phylogenetic reconstruction. Conflicting phylogenetic results from different data partitions and character homoplasies typify crocodilian phylogeny, and differences between molecular and morphological phylogenetic hypotheses are believed to be associated with the slender‐snout skull shape of Gavialis gangeticus and Tomistoma schlegelii. Slender‐snout skulls are one of five identified eusuchian cranial ecomorph shape categories (ESCs) thought to reflect functional or ecological specialization. This paper tested the effect of transitions among general, blunt and slender ESCs on cranial character‐state distributions in phylogeny using the concentrated changes test. In addition, ‘tree‐free’ character compatibility analysis of character independence was conducted on the morphological character matrix to determine if character correlations are observed independent of specific tree topologies. Results suggest cranial ESCs do affect cranial character‐state gains in phylogeny. Concentrated changes identify a broad suite of character‐state changes that significantly correlate with transitions to slender, general and blunt ESCs on morphological, molecular and combined‐data tree topologies, but numbers of correlated characters for each category differ according to topology. Character compatibility analysis results do not mirror the concentrated changes test results and reflect hierarchically distributed support throughout the data. As cranial ESCs affect character‐state transitions, it is possible that nonphylogenetic variables could affect inferences of crocodilian phylogeny by affecting cranial morphology.
Why do Californian striders fly?
Authors: FAIRBAIRN D. J. , KING E.
Published: September 2008

Discerning the adaptive significance of migratory strategies poses significant challenges, not the least of which is measuring migratory capability in natural populations. We take advantage of a visible migratory dimorphism to study variation in migratory capability in the stream‐dwelling water strider,Aquarius remigis. Theory predicts loss of migratory capability in this species because streams have been viewed as stable and persistent habitats. As expected,A. remigislack wings throughout most of North America. However, Californian populations are noted for unexpectedly high frequencies of winged, migratory morphs. To deduce the adaptive significance of this anomalous regional variation, we compare proportion winged among 37 Californian populations. We discover a strong, positive correlation with altitude, but no correlations with latitude, rainfall or stream size. A common garden experiment reveals that both proportion winged and its reaction norm to temperature differ genetically among populations, and a half‐sibling experiment demonstrates that wing morph has high heritability, moderate genetic correlations across environments and a significant genotype by environment interaction. These results support the hypothesis that proportion winged and its reaction norm to temperature have diverged genetically in California. We conclude that high migratory capability is an evolutionary adaptation to the unusual harshness and instability of Californian stream habitats, and particularly to the high elevational gradients and extreme seasonal variation characteristic of montane streams.
Bacterial tracheitis in pediatrics: 12 year experience at a medical center in Taiwan
Authors: Huang Yu‐Lan , Peng Chun‐Chih , Chiu Nan‐Chang , Lee Kuo‐Sheng , Hung Han‐Yang , Kao Hsin‐An , Hsu Chyong‐Hsin , Chang Jui‐Hsin , Huang Fu‐Yuan
Published: September 2008

Background:  Bacterial tracheitis may cause life‐threatening airway obstruction.

Methods:  Records of patients admitted to the pediatric wards of Mackay Memorial Hospital between 1994 and 2005 with a diagnosis of bacterial tracheitis made on bronchoscopic visualization of thick membranous tracheal secretions were retrospectively reviewed.

Results:  A total of 40 patients (aged 1 month–8 years, 29 [73%] under 3 years old) were included. Cough, fever, dyspnea, and hoarseness were the commonest symptoms. Fourteen patients (21%) required intubation. The most frequently isolated bacteriae were α‐hemolytic streptococcus (in 11, 38%), pseudomonas (5, 17%), and Staphylococcus aureus (4, 14%). Intubation was more frequent in patients seen between 1994 and 1999 compared with those seen later (8/12 early vs 9/28 late). In the early period α‐hemolytic streptococcus (55%) and pseudomonas (36%) were isolated. In the later period the most frequently isolated bacteria was α‐hemolytic streptococcus (28%), followed by S. aureus (22%). No patients died, but those with pseudomonas infection had more severe complications, including tracheal stenosis. The average hospital stay in the early period was 26.2 ± 20.5 days versus 9.1 ± 4.8 days in the late period. The corresponding lengths of stay in the intensive care unit were 10.5 ± 11.5 days and 2.0 ± 2.2 days.

Conclusions:  Bacterial tracheitis requiring hospitalization of children appeared to be milder in the second half of the study period. Pseudomonas tracheitis tends to have a severe course.
Toxocara seropositivity in Sri Lankan children with asthma
Authors: Fernando Deepika , Wickramasinghe Pujitha , Kapilananda Gamini , Dewasurendra Rajika L. , Amarasooriya Melanie , Dayaratne Asangi
Published: September 2008

Background:  Toxocariasis occurs in humans due to infection with Toxocara canis or T. cati, the nematode parasites of dogs and cats, respectively. The relationship between toxocariasis and asthma is complex, with some studies demonstrating that children with asthma were more likely to be Toxocara seropositive as compared to non‐asthmatic children, and other studies indicating no such significant relationship. The aim of the present study was to investigate Toxocara seropositivity and its association with asthma in a selected group of Sri Lankan children.

Methods:  Two groups of children were studied: group 1 included 100 children with confirmed bronchial asthma who were on regular inhaler steroid treatment for asthma; group 2 included 96 children who did not have physician‐diagnosed asthma or upper respiratory tract infections, attending the same hospital. Diagnosis of Toxocara seropositivity was based on IgG Toxocara Microwell Serum Elisa Kits. Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay was regarded as positive for a reading of 0.3 optical density units. Stool samples were examined for helminth ova.

Results:  Toxocara seropositivity in children with asthma was 29% and this was significantly more than Toxocara seropositivity among non‐asthmatic children (P < 0.001). Toxocara seropositivity was identified as a significant risk factor of asthma in a univariate model. Eosinophilia was seen in a significantly higher proportion of non‐asthmatic and asthmatic children who were Toxocara seropositive. Toxocara seropositivity, however, was not identified as a significant risk factor in a multivariate model.

Conclusions:  The analysis confirmed previously identified risk factors for asthma but there was no association between the helminth parasitic infection, toxocariasis and bronchial asthma in children.
Dorsal onlay lingual mucosal graft urethroplasty: Comparison of two techniques
Authors: Singh Pratap B , Das Suren K , Kumar Abhay , Sharma Girish K , Pandey Ashwani K , Swain Samir , Bansal Harbans , Trivedi Sameer , Dwivedi Udai S
Published: September 2008

Objectives:  To compare the results of two different techniques of dorsal onlay lingual mucosal graft (LMG) urethroplasty for anterior urethral strictures.

Methods:  Thirty patients underwent dorsal onlay LMG urethroplasty by Barbagli's technique (group I) and 25 through a ventral sagittal urethrotomy approach (group II). All of the patients were followed up with a pericatheter urethrography at 3 weeks, retrograde urethrography with micturating cystourethrography and uroflowmetry at 3, 6 and 12 months.

Results:  Mean follow up was 22 months and 13 months in group I and II, respectively. The mean peak flow rate increased from 4.2 mL/s preoperatively to 35.5, 25.06 and 25 mL/s at 3, 6, and 12 months, respectively, in group I and from 7.8 mL/s to 34.2, 28.4 and 26.2 mL/s at 3, 6 and 12 months, respectively, in group II. Five patients in group I and two patients in group II had an anastomotic stricture at 12 months. Meatal narrowing was seen in five patients in group I and three patients in group II. The overall success rate was 83.4% and 76.6% in group I and 90% and 80% in group II at 6 and 12 months, respectively. One patient had chordee in group I and no patient had chordee in group II. There was a shorter operative time and less blood loss in group II.

Conclusions:  Dorsal onlay LMG urethroplasty through a ventral sagittal approach is better than the Barbagli's technique in terms of results and complications.
Does a nerve‐sparing technique or potency affect continence after open radical retropubic prostatectomy?
Authors: Marien Tracy P. , Lepor Herbert
Published: September 2008

OBJECTIVE

To characterize the effect of preserving the neurovascular bundle (NVB) and of potency on urinary continence after open radical retropubic prostatectomy (ORRP).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between October 2000 to September 2005, 1110 consecutive continent men had ORRP by one surgeon. The University of California Los Angeles Prostate Cancer Index was self‐administered at baseline and 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after ORRP. Men were considered continent if they responded that they had total urinary control or had occasional urinary leakage. Men were considered potent if they engaged in sexual intercourse with or without the use of phosphodiesterase inhibitors at least once in the month before or after ORRP. Of the 1110 men, 728 (66%) were potent and continent at baseline. Men undergoing adjuvant hormonal therapy, radiation therapy or chemotherapy were excluded. The potency status was evaluated in 610 men at 24 months after ORRP, and the number of NVBs preserved was recorded at the time of ORRP.

RESULTS

Of men who were potent at baseline and had bilateral vs unilateral nerve sparing, 96% and 99% were continent at 24 months, respectively (P = 0.50). Of the men who were potent and impotent at 24 months, 98% and 96% were continent at 24 months, respectively (P = 0.25). Continence did not depend on whether men regained potency or whether they had a bilateral or a unilateral nerve‐sparing procedure.

CONCLUSION

Our observation that only 60% of men undergoing bilateral nerve‐sparing ORRP regain potency suggests that the NVBs are often inadvertently injured, despite efforts to preserve them. We feel that potency status is the best indicator of the true extent of NVB preservation. That men undergoing bilateral vs unilateral nerve‐sparing procedures, and that potent vs impotent men at 24 months have similar continence rates, provides compelling evidence that nerve‐sparing is not associated with better continence. Based on these findings, NVBs should not be preserved in men with baseline erectile dysfunction, with the expectation of improving continence.
Poverty among the elderly in late Victorian England1
Authors: BOYER GEORGE R. , SCHMIDLE TIMOTHY P.
Published: September 2008

Despite rapid increases in manual workers' wages, poverty rates among the elderly remained high in late Victorian England, although they varied significantly across Poor Law Unions. This paper begins by examining the ability of workers to provide for their old age. A data set is constructed, consisting of all English Poor Law Unions in 1891–2, and regression equations are estimated in order to explain variations across unions in pauperism rates. This is followed by the testing of several conjectures made by contemporaries, and repeated by historians, regarding the deterrent effect of workhouse relief, the effects of wages and of the industrial character of Poor Law Unions on pauperism rates, and regional differences in workers' reliance on the poor law. The paper then examines the implications of these results for the debate over national old age pensions in the decades before the adoption of the Old Age Pension Act.
Rural Europe reshaped: the economic transformation of upland regions, 1850–20001
Authors: COLLANTES FERNANDO
Published: September 2008

Agriculture is no longer the main sector in the economy of rural Europe. Based on a comparative analysis of nine upland areas from five different countries (Scotland, Switzerland, France, Italy, and Spain), this article argues that, contrary to the claims of most social science work on ‘rural restructuring’, the decline of agriculture in the rural economy should be understood from a long‐term perspective and in relation to European industrialization, rather than as a recent process linked to postmodern dynamics. In fact, widely diverging paths of rural change during industrialization similarly imply occupational change.
Hidden Liquidity: Order Exposure Strategies Around Earnings Announcements
Authors: Chakrabarty Bidisha , Shaw Kenneth W.
Published: September 2008

Abstract:  Electronic limit order books are prevalent in financial markets. Most allow ‘hidden orders,’ in which the order's information is neither revealed to the market nor reflected in the National Best Bid and Offer quotes. While they enable traders to conceal information, hidden orders lose time priority to displayed orders, and thus face increased risk of non‐execution. We examine hidden order activity around earnings announcements, a time when demand for the opacity of hidden orders is likely high, due to heightened private information acquisition, but demand for immediate trade execution is also likely high due to increased trading activity. We find that hidden order trade volume, the number of hidden orders executed, hidden order trade size, and the full size of hidden orders executed all increase around earnings announcements. This suggests hidden orders provide significant liquidity at a time when quoted liquidity typically falls. We also show that changes in hidden order activity at earnings announcements are related to cross‐sectional variation in the firm's pre‐announcement information environment, the information conveyed by the earnings announcement, and changes in quoted liquidity.
Accounting Choices and Director Interlocks: A Social Network Approach to the Voluntary Expensing of Stock Option Grants
Authors: Kang Eugene , Tan Brian R.
Published: September 2008

Abstract:  We adopt a social network perspective of accounting choices and argue that voluntary expensing of stock option grants by firms may be driven by social influence and learning within a network of director interlocks. We find that firms are more likely to expense stock option grants voluntarily when they have inside director interlocks with (1) other firms that do likewise, and (2) institutional investors of firms accused of financial reporting fraud. This study contributes to extant research by highlighting that a social network approach complements a cost‐and‐benefit approach (or an economic perspective) when examining the accounting practices of firms.
Neural mechanisms underlying the processing of Chinese and English words in a word generation task: An event‐related potential study
Authors: Qiu Jiang , Li Hong , Wei Yonggang , Liu Qiang , Zhang Ye , Zhang Qinglin
Published: September 2008

Event‐related brain potentials (ERPs) were used to examine the spatiotemporal cortical activation patterns underlying Chinese and English word generation (forming a new word by adding a stroke or a letter to an old Chinese or English word) for low‐ and high‐proficiency Chinese–English bilinguals. The results revealed that early visual perceptual processing and word identification were similar between the two languages for the N120 and P220 waveforms. However, a greater negative potential (N250–350) was associated with Chinese words than with English words between 250 and 350 ms. Subsequently, for fluent Chinese bilinguals, Chinese words elicited a more positive ERP deflection (LPC) than did English words between 350 and 800 ms. The differences in ERP components between Chinese and English words indicates that there might be a real difference in the processing demands between these languages, and that the processing of English might be affected by the proficiency of the second language.
Parameters of a Dose‐Response Model Are on the Boundary: What Happens with BMDL?
Authors: Kopylev Leonid , Fox John
Published: September 2008

It is well known that, under appropriate regularity conditions, the asymptotic distribution for the likelihood ratio statistic is χ2. This result is used in EPA's benchmark dose software to obtain a lower confidence bound (BMDL) for the benchmark dose (BMD) by the profile likelihood method. Recently, based on work by Self and Liang, it has been demonstrated that the asymptotic distribution of the likelihood ratio remains the same if some of the regularity conditions are violated, that is, when true values of some nuisance parameters are on the boundary. That is often the situation for BMD analysis of cancer bioassay data. In this article, we study by simulation the coverage of one‐ and two‐sided confidence intervals for BMD when some of the model parameters have true values on the boundary of a parameter space. Fortunately, because two‐sided confidence intervals (size 1–2α) have coverage close to the nominal level when there are 50 animals in each group, the coverage of nominal 1−α one‐sided intervals is bounded between roughly 1–2α and 1. In many of the simulation scenarios with a nominal one‐sided confidence level of 95%, that is, α= 0.05, coverage of the BMDL was close to 1, but for some scenarios coverage was close to 90%, both for a group size of 50 animals and asymptotically (group size 100,000). Another important observation is that when the true parameter is below the boundary, as with the shape parameter of a log‐logistic model, the coverage of BMDL in a constrained model (a case of model misspecification not uncommon in BMDS analyses) may be very small and even approach 0 asymptotically. We also discuss that whenever profile likelihood is used for one‐sided tests, the Self and Liang methodology is needed to derive the correct asymptotic distribution.
International Trade Inoperability Input‐Output Model (IT‐IIM): Theory and Application
Authors: Jung Jeesang , Santos Joost R. , Haimes Yacov Y.
Published: September 2008

The inoperability input‐output model (IIM) has been used for analyzing disruptions due to man‐made or natural disasters that can adversely affect the operation of economic systems or critical infrastructures. Taking economic perturbation for each sector as inputs, the IIM provides the degree of economic production impacts on all industry sectors as the outputs for the model. The current version of the IIM does not provide a separate analysis for the international trade component of the inoperability. If an important port of entry (e.g., Port of Los Angeles) is disrupted, then international trade inoperability becomes a highly relevant subject for analysis. To complement the current IIM, this article develops the International Trade‐IIM (IT‐IIM). The IT‐IIM investigates the resulting international trade inoperability for all industry sectors resulting from disruptions to a major port of entry. Similar to traditional IIM analysis, the inoperability metrics that the IT‐IIM provides can be used to prioritize economic sectors based on the losses they could potentially incur. The IT‐IIM is used to analyze two types of direct perturbations: (1) the reduced capacity of ports of entry, including harbors and airports (e.g., a shutdown of any port of entry); and (2) restrictions on commercial goods that foreign countries trade with the base nation (e.g., embargo).
Dealing with the White Death: Avalanche Risk Management for Traffic Routes
Authors: Rheinberger Christoph M. , Bründl Michael , Rhyner Jakob
Published: September 2008

This article discusses mitigation strategies to protect traffic routes from snow avalanches. Up to now, mitigation of snow avalanches on many roads and railways in the Alps has relied on avalanche sheds, which require large initial investments resulting in high opportunity costs. Therefore, avalanche risk managers have increasingly adopted organizational mitigation measures such as warning systems and closure policies instead. The effectiveness of these measures is, however, greatly dependent on human decisions. In this article, we present a method for optimizing avalanche mitigation for traffic routes in terms of both their risk reduction impact and their net benefit to society. First, we introduce a generic framework for assessing avalanche risk and for quantifying the impact of mitigation. This allows for sound cost‐benefit comparisons between alternative mitigation strategies. Second, we illustrate the framework with a case study from Switzerland. Our findings suggest that site‐specific characteristics of avalanche paths, as well as the economic importance of a traffic route, are decisive for the choice of optimal mitigation strategies. On routes endangered by few avalanche paths with frequent avalanche occurrences, structural measures are most efficient, whereas reliance on organizational mitigation is often the most appropriate strategy on routes endangered by many paths with infrequent or fuzzy avalanche risk. Finally, keeping a traffic route open may be very important for tourism or the transport industry. Hence, local economic value may promote the use of a hybrid strategy that combines organizational and structural measures to optimize the resource allocation of avalanche risk mitigation.