bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Expression of chemosensory proteins in hairs on wings of Locusta migratoria (Orthoptera: Acrididae)
Authors: Zhou S.‐H. , Zhang J. , Zhang S.‐G. , Zhang L.
Published: May 2008

The hairs on the wings of Locusta migratoria were observed and mapped using light microscopy, as well as by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Based on their ultrastructure, we can distinguish four main types of hairs on the wings of adult L. migratoria, viz, short, medium and long hairs, and sensilla chaetica. The long hairs are located only on the ventral surface of the hindwing, whereas the other three types are present both on the dorsal and ventral surfaces of forewing and hindwing in both sexes. Medium hairs and sensilla chaetica are significantly more abundant on the dorsal surface of forewings in both females and males, than on the ventral surface, whereas the opposite was observed for short hairs (P < 0.01). No significant difference between males and females was observed in the density of any type of hairs (P > 0.1). Several dendritic branches, enveloped by a dendrite sheath, are situated in the lymph cavity of sensilla chaetica. Instead, no dendritic structure was observed in the cavity of the other three types of hairs. Immunocytochemical localization of chemosensory proteins (CSPs) was performed on ultrathin sections of hairs on wings. The antiserum against chemosensory proteins from L. migratoria (LmigCSP‐II) strongly labelled sensilla chaetica, with gold granules only found in the outer sensillum lymph. In addition, the epidermal cell membrane of the wing was stained by the antiserum against LmigCSP‐II. The other three types of hairs were never labelled. The results indicate that the wings might involve in contact chemoreception process.
The Relationship between Linear Type Traits and Fertility Traits in High‐yielding Dairy Goats
Authors: Mellado M , Mellado J , Valencia M , Pittroff W
Published: May 2008

Contents

Reproductive data collected from 13 medium‐size goat farms in central Mexico (582 goats), were used to investigate if linear type traits influenced reproductive performance of high‐yielding dairy goats. Data were analysed using multiple stepwise forward logistic regressions. Goats with the higher scores for strength were 1.43 times more likely (p < 0.05) to have larger litters (1.49 vs 1.39) than goats with lower strength. Goats approaching level rump angles were 1.68 times more likely (p < 0.01) to have larger litters, compared with goats with extremely sloped rump angles (1.48 vs 1.37). Goats with rear legs nearly straight (posty) in hock tended (p < 0.08) to presented larger litters than goats with rear legs slightly angled (sickled) in hock (1.49 vs 1.38). Less pronounced rump angle was favourable associated (p < 0.05) with litter weight (4.88 vs 4.53 kg) compared with goats with low pin bones. Goats with poorer udder texture were 1.42 more likely (p < 0.05) to have heavier litters than goats with good udder texture. Goats with faulty mammary system tended (p < 0.07) to have heavier litters than goats with good mammary system. Increasing udder height was associated (p < 0.05) with increasing number of services per conception. Goats with good fore udder attachment and non‐refined heads were at reduced risk (p < 0.05) for stillbirths. Goats with stronger median ligament were 65% less likely (p < 0.05) to lose their foetuses than those with looser udder support. Our findings indicate that a greater litter size and litter weight is expected in goats as rump angle becomes less sloped. This study showed that a relationship exists between strength of goats and litter size, and that some traits linked to high milk yield were antagonist to some reproductive traits.
Pregnancy‐Associated Glycoprotein Secretion in North Moroccan Goats
Authors: Chentouf M , El Amiri B , Sulon J , Beckers JF , Kirschvink N , Boulanouar B , Bister JL
Published: May 2008

Contents

The plasma profile of pregnancy‐associated glycoprotein (PAG) and its relationship with fetal number were studied in 14 North Moroccan goats using a semi‐heterologous radioimmunoassay (RIA). Peripheral blood was collected every day during the first month of pregnancy, afterward the blood samples were collected trice a week. The PAG were first detected at day 20 of pregnancy, their levels increase to week 8 of gestation then decrease slightly until parturition. Statistical differences between goats carrying one or two foetuses are observed from week 5 of pregnancy until parturition. Factorial Discriminant Analysis provides mathematical models for the discrimination between the litter size using the PAG level and the week of pregnancy. Using only one blood sample per week, high sensitivity, specificity and overall accuracy (74%, 88% and 81%) were obtained using these models. It is concluded that the PAG RIA is an effective tool for early diagnosis of pregnancy and for discrimination between the litter sizes in North Moroccan goats.
Short or Long Day Light Regimes May Not Affect Reproductive Performance in the Sow
Authors: Hälli O , Tast A , Heinonen M , Munsterhjelm C , Valros A , Peltoniemi OAT
Published: May 2008

Contents

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of short or long day light regimes on the reproductive performance in the sow. The study comprised approximately 1300 sows and their 3400 breedings in three commercial sow pools, in which a batch farrowing of 40 sows was employed. Each batch remained in the farrowing unit for 8 weeks under either a short day (10 h light, 14 h dark) or a long day (14 h light, 10 h dark) light regime. After weaning and transportation to the central unit, all sows were kept under the long day regime until they were moved back to the farrowing unit. Production results for each individual sow were recorded. The effect of the two different light regimes on the farrowing rate (FR) and on the weaning‐to‐oestrous interval was evaluated using logistic and Poisson regression models, respectively. The light regime affected none of the parameters significantly. The FR in June, July and August did, however, drop below that in December, January and February (OR 0.7, p < 0.05). The FR was affected by the sow pool (p < 0.01). Parity two sows exhibited a lower FR (OR 0.5, p = 0.05) and higher incidence of delayed first oestrus (IRR 2.7, p < 0.01) than did older sows. This study indicates that despite an artificial light regime, sows may still react to changes in season. In conclusion, use of simple light regime to obtain complete control over reproductive performance appears to be difficult.
Effect of Taurine and Melatonin in the Culture Medium on Buffalo In Vitro Embryo Development
Authors: Manjunatha BM , Devaraj M , Gupta PSP , Ravindra JP , Nandi S
Published: May 2008

Contents

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of supplementing culture medium with different concentrations of taurine and melatonin, on buffalo oocyte in vitro meiotic maturation and embryo development. In experiment 1, oocytes were matured in vitro and the cleaved embryos were cultured in the same following seven culture medium; (i) control (TCM 199 + 10% SS); (ii) control + 0.5 mm taurine; (iii) control + 1 mm taurine; (iv) control + 3 mm taurine; (v) control + 5 μm melatonin; (vi) control + 10 μm melatonin and (vii) control + 50 μm melatonin. In experiment 2, based on the results of experiment 1, to examine the synergistic effect of antioxidants, the oocytes were matured in culture medium (TCM199 + 10% SS), supplemented with both taurine at 1 mm and melatonin at 10 μm concentration and the cleaved embryos were cultured in the same medium. Supplementation of taurine at 1 mm concentration in the culture medium resulted in a higher (p < 0.05) transferable embryo (TE) yield when compared with control (20.6% vs 14.1%). Supplementation of melatonin at 10 and 50 μm concentration in the culture medium resulted in a higher (p < 0.05) meiotic maturation rate (90.3% and 88.8% respectively) and TE yield (28.4% and 27.2% respectively), than the other treatments. In experiment 2, the TE yield did not improve by supplementing the culture medium with both taurine and melatonin, when compared with melatonin alone. In conclusion, the results of this study demonstrated that, enriching the culture medium with taurine and melatonin, improves in vitro embryo production efficiency in buffaloes. In particular, a high TE yield was obtained by enriching the culture medium with 10 μm melatonin.
Sperm Production and Sperm Morphology of Swedish Warmblood Stallions
Authors: Einarsson S , Dalin A‐M , Lundeheim N
Published: May 2008

Contents

The present study investigated daily sperm output and sperm morphology of fresh semen in eight Swedish Warmblood stallions aged 5–8 years. They were used for artificial insemination, and their fertility during the breeding season of semen collection exceeded 60% per cycle. One ejaculate of semen was collected daily for 10 consecutive days from each stallion. The gel‐free volume was measured, and the sperm concentration was assessed with a Bürker chamber. The volume of gel‐free fraction was multiplied by the sperm concentration to give the total number of spermatozoa (TSN). Sperm morphology was examined in ejaculates collected on days 2, 5 and 10. An aliquot from each ejaculate was fixed in 1 ml formol–saline immediately after collection and examined under a phase‐contrast microscope (magnification 1000×) to assess morphological abnormalities. Furthermore smears were prepared and stained according to Williams (carbolfuchsin–eosin) for a more detailed examination of the sperm heads under a light microscope (magnification 1000×). Analysis of variance was applied to data. Total spermatozoa number decreased progressively during the first 8 days of collection, and daily sperm output (DSO) was calculated as mean TSN of collections on days 8–10, being 6.4 × 109spermatozoa. The overall percentages of morphologically normal spermatozoa in ejaculates collected on days 2, 5 and 10 were above 70%, being significantly lower in ejaculate 2 (68.6%) compared with ejaculates 5 and 10 (72.9% respectively 75.3%).
Social Dominance and Courtship and Mating Behaviour in Rams in Non‐Competitive and Competitive Pen Tests
Authors: Ungerfeld R , González‐Pensado SP
Published: May 2008

Contents

A group of 19 Merino rams was used to determine: (i) if body weight, age and testis characteristics are different between high (HR) and low‐ranked (LR) rams, and (ii) how the competition between HR and LR rams for oestrous ewes affect their courtship and mating behaviour. Hierarchy was determined using the food competition test. The five first and five last ranked rams were individually exposed to oestrous ewes in pen tests, and the frequency of different courtship behavioural units, mounts and mates, and the time from test onset to each mate was recorded. The sexual behaviour of the five first ranked and the five last ranked rams was also tested in competition, pairing a HR and a LR ram. Age, body weight, body condition score, scrotal circumference, and testis firmness and resilience from HR and LR were not different. The display of courtship behavioural units was lower when rams were tested in competition but was not affected by the rank of the rams. The number of mates per test from HR rams was lower than that observed in LR rams when tested alone. While the number of mates decreased in LR rams in competition tests, it was not affected in HR rams. In summary, there was no relation between social rank and body weight, age or testis characteristics. LR rams were more effective than HR rams when mating oestrous ewes without competition. However, in competitive tests, although all rams modified their courtship strategies, LR rams were more affected by the presence of dominant rams than HR rams were by the presence of LR rams.
ROLE OF ENDOTHELIN ETA AND ETB RECEPTOR SUBTYPES IN THE REGULATION OF INTRARENAL BLOOD FLOW AND OXYGEN TENSION IN RATS
Authors: Nitescu Nicoletta , Grimberg Elisabeth , Herlitz Hans , Guron Gregor
Published: June 2008

The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of endothelin ETA and ETB receptors in the regulation of intrarenal blood flow and oxygen tension in normotensive Sprague‐Dawley rats.

Thiobutabarbital anaesthetized rats were divided into four groups (n = 6–9 per group): (i) saline (4 mL/kg per h); (ii) BQ123; (iii) BQ788; and (iv) BQ123 + BQ788. After baseline measurements, the ETA receptor antagonist BQ‐123 (30 nmol/kg per min, i.v.) and/or the ETB receptor antagonist BQ‐788 (30 nmol/kg per min, i.v.), was administered for a period of 60 min. Total renal blood flow (RBF), cortical and outer medullary perfusion (laser‐Doppler flowmetry) and Po2 (Clark‐type microelectrodes) were analysed throughout.

At baseline, there were no significant differences between groups in mean arterial pressure (MAP), RBF, cortical and outer medullary perfusion and Po2. Infusion of BQ‐788 reduced RBF, cortical perfusion and outer medullary Po2 (P < 0.05) and increased renal vascular resistance (P < 0.05) compared with saline‐treated and BQ123 + BQ788‐infused groups. BQ‐123 and coinfusion of BQ‐123 + BQ‐788 increased outer medullary perfusion compared with the saline‐treated group (P < 0.05) without significantly affecting outer medullary Po2 and MAP. Neither selective nor combined ETA and ETB receptor antagonism significantly affected renal cortical Po2.

In conclusion, in normotensive rats, ETB receptor antagonism caused renal vasoconstriction and reduced RBF and cortical perfusion. Furthermore, ETB receptor antagonism decreased outer medullary Po2. These effects were mediated by ETA receptor activation and are not due to a lack of ETB receptor activation per se. Finally, BQ‐123 increased renal outer medullary perfusion, suggesting a tonic vasoconstrictor effect of ETA receptors in the medulla of normotensive rats.
CHRONIC MORPHINE EXPOSURE AFFECTS VISUAL RESPONSE LATENCY OF THE LATERAL GENICULATE NUCLEUS IN CATS
Authors: Long Zaiyang , Liang Zhen , He Lihua , Zhou Yifeng
Published: June 2008

Chronic morphine exposure results in degradation of the functional properties of cortical cells. However, little evidence has been reported about the effect of morphine on the temporal properties of the visual system.

We compared the visual response latency of different cells of the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) in morphine (10 mg/mL)‐ and saline‐treated cats. Morphine‐treated cats were given morphine sulphate by cervical subcutaneous injection twice daily for 10 days, whereas saline‐treated cats received injections of 0.9% saline instead. We found that LGN neurons in morphine‐treated cats exhibited significantly longer response latency than those in saline‐treated cats (P < 0.001).

To investigate whether different types of neurons exhibited similar changes in response to morphine, we classified LGN neurons as on‐ and off‐centre, X and Y, and layer A, A1 and C neurons. There was a tendency for prolonged latency in layer C neurons and a significantly longer latency for the other neurons in morphine‐treated cats (P < 0.05).

These findings suggest that chronic morphine administration (10 mg/kg by cervical subcutaneous injection twice daily for 10 days) delays information transfer earlier in the visual pathway.
Escherichia coli O157 can grow in natural freshwater at low carbon concentrations
Authors: Vital Marius , Hammes Frederik , Egli Thomas
Published: May 2008

Whereas much information on the die‐off of Escherichia coli in the aquatic environment is available, only few data support its growth under such conditions. We therefore investigated batch growth in microcosms containing different types of sterile freshwater. The water samples were inoculated with low starting cell concentrations of E. coli O157 (3 × 103 cells ml−1) and growth was followed using nucleic acid staining combined with flow cytometry. We demonstrated that E. coli O157 is able to grow in sterile freshwater at low carbon concentrations, which is against the common view that cell numbers decline over time when added to freshwater samples. A correlation between apparent assimilable organic carbon (AOCapp) concentration and the final cell concentration reached by E. coli O157 was established (P <  0.01). A considerable fraction of the AOCapp (34 ± 13%) was used by E. coli O157 but the numerical cell yield was about five‐times lower in comparison with the bacterial AOC‐test community, which originated from natural freshwater. On average, the maximum specific growth rate (μmax) of E. coli O157 growing in sterile freshwater at 30°C was 0.19 ± 0.07 h−1. Batch growth assays at five different temperatures revealed a positive influence of temperature on μmax of E. coli O157. The results give new information on the behaviour of this common pathogen in the aquatic environment and contribute to microbial risk assessment in order to prevent spreading of water‐borne diseases.
Colo‐anal pouches: lessons from a prospective audit
Authors: Jeyarajah S. , Sutton C. , Miller A. , Hemingway D. ,   Leicester Colorectal Specialist Group
Published: June 2008

Objective  Colonic pouch formation with pouch‐anal anastomosis is the treatment of choice following restorative anterior resection for low rectal cancers with a proximal loop ileostomy to defunction the anastomosis. Controversy exists as to whether anastomotic integrity needs to be checked prior to ileostomy reversal. The aim of this prospective study was to audit our current practice.

Method  Data on all patients undergoing resectional surgery for rectal cancer in our unit are entered prospectively onto a database. Patients who underwent an anterior resection with pouch formation and defunctioning ileostomy were identified and a review of notes and radiological records was carried out.

Results  Forty‐two patients with rectal adenocarcinoma underwent an anterior resection with colo‐colonic pouch, colo‐anal anastomosis and a covering loop ileostomy. Of these, 38(90.5%) had water‐soluble contrast enemas (WSCE) 6–8 weeks postoperatively. Two studies (5.3%) confirmed the presence of normal colo‐colonic pouch but 24(63.2%) normal reports made no mention of the presence of pouch. Three studies (7.9%) reported true leaks, one study (2.6%) an anastomotic stricture and eight studies (21.1%) anastomotic leaks. Review by radiologists and surgeons, and examination with flexible sigmoidoscopy of these final eight confirmed that these appearances were consistent with normal colo‐colonic pouches and anastomosis with no leak. These patients went on to have uneventful stoma closure.

Conclusion  Our study suggests that Colon pouches are difficult to clearly delineate on WSCE and appearances may be mistaken for leaks leading to questioning of the suitability of WSCE in assessing anastomotic integrity. A true positive leak rate of 7.9% would suggest that postoperative assessment prior to closure is still necessary in some patients.
Massive low gastrointestinal bleeding due to a Dieulafoy rectal lesion
Authors: Ruiz‐Tovar J. , Díe‐Trill J. , López‐Quindós P. , Rey A. , López‐Hervás P. , Devesa J. M.
Published: June 2008

Massive low gastrointestinal bleedings are often difficult diagnostically and in terms of management. Sometimes, it is not possible to identify the bleeding point after performing diverse diagnostic tests and the patient undergoes a blind subtotal colectomy. With rectal bleeding, this form of surgery is completely useless, as it will not solve the cause of the haemorrhage. The Dieulafoy lesion has been widely described in the stomach, but in the rectum is a very rare entity that can cause massive lower gastrointestinal bleeding. In the literature, there are only 25 described cases of rectal Dieulafoy lesion.
The relationship of glycaemic control and triglycerides in patients with diabetes mellitus: a PreCIS Database Study
Authors: Davidson M. B. , Hu T. , Sain Guven , Hoar B. , Stevenson C. , Hoogwerf B. J.
Published: June 2008

Aims:  A common therapeutic approach in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who have elevated triglycerides (TGs) is to treat the hyperglycaemia before specifically targeting high TG. The aims of the current study were (i) to determine whether there was a relationship between glycated haemoglobin (HgbA1c) and TG levels at the baseline visit and (ii) to analyse the relationship between ΔHgbA1c and ΔTG after treatment.

Methods:  Among 650 consecutive diabetic patients seen in the Cleveland Clinic Preventive Cardiology Department, 372 had both baseline and post‐treatment HgbA1c and TG values. We analysed the relationship between baseline HgbA1c and TG as well as between the change in HgbA1c and the change in TG. For analysis, patients were divided into nine groups by tertiles of HgbA1c (≤6.6, 6.7–7.8 and >7.8%) and TG (≤1.75, 1.76–3.89 and >3.89 mmol/l) at baseline.

Results:  At baseline, there was a small correlation between HgbA1c and TG (r2 = 0.051; p < 0.001). For the entire group, there was a significant correlation between ΔHgbA1c and ΔTG from baseline to follow‐up (r2 = 0.077; p < 0.001). Analyses by tertiles showed that ΔTG were only associated with changes in two groups: HgbA1c tertile 3 (>7.8%) and TG tertiles 2 (r2 = 0.24; p < 0.0001) and 3 (r2 = 0.187; p = 0.003). For every 1% change in the top tertile HgbA1c, there was a 9.3% change in TG (tertile 2) and a 9.8% change in TG (tertile 3).

Conclusions:  These observations suggest that for patients with diabetes mellitus and elevated TG, the effect of HgbA1c reduction has limited effects on TG reduction. Patients may benefit from TG‐specific therapy initiated earlier rather than waiting to see effects of glycaemic control.
Safety and efficacy of sitagliptin in patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic renal insufficiency
Authors: Chan J. C. N. , Scott R. , Arjona Ferreira J. C. , Sheng D. , Gonzalez E. , Davies M. J. , Stein P. P. , Kaufman K. D. , Amatruda J. M. , Williams‐Herman D.
Published: June 2008

Objective:  To assess the safety of sitagliptin in patients with type 2 diabetes and moderate [creatinine clearance (CrCl) ≥30 to <50 ml/min] or severe renal insufficiency [CrCl <30 ml/min including patients with end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) on dialysis]. The efficacy of sitagliptin in this patient population was also assessed.

Methods:  In a 54‐week, randomized, double‐blind, parallel‐group study, patients with baseline glycosylated haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) values of 6.5–10% were allocated (2:1) to sitagliptin (for 54 weeks) or the sequence of placebo (for 12 weeks) followed by active treatment with glipizide (for 42 weeks). To achieve plasma concentrations similar to those observed in patients with normal renal function treated with 100 mg sitagliptin once daily, patients with moderate renal insufficiency were allocated to receive sitagliptin 50 mg once daily and patients with severe renal insufficiency to receive 25 mg once daily. Glipizide treatment was initiated at 2.5 or 5 mg/day and uptitrated to a maximum of 20 mg/day.

Results:  Patients (N = 91) with a mean baseline HbA1c value of 7.7% (range: 6.2–10.3%) were randomized to sitagliptin (n = 65) or placebo (n = 26). After 12 weeks, the mean change [95% confidence interval (CI)] from baseline in HbA1c was −0.6% (−0.8, −0.4) in the sitagliptin group compared with −0.2% (−0.4, 0.1) in the placebo group [between‐group difference (95% CI) = −0.4% (−0.7, −0.1)]. At 54 weeks, patients continuously treated with sitagliptin had a mean change (95% CI) from baseline in HbA1c of −0.7% (−0.9, −0.4). The overall incidence of adverse experiences was generally similar between groups. Between‐group differences in incidences of specific clinical adverse experiences were generally small; however, the proportion of patients for whom hypoglycaemia was reported was lower in the sitagliptin group (4.6%) compared with the placebo/glipizide group (23.1%). Consistent with the high mortality risk in this patient population, there were six deaths during this 54‐week study [5 of 65 patients (7.7%) in the sitagliptin group and 1 of 26 patients (3.8%) in the placebo/glipizide group]; no death was considered by the investigator to be drug related. The overall incidences of drug‐related and serious adverse experiences and discontinuations because of adverse experiences were generally similar between groups.

Conclusions:  In this study, sitagliptin was generally well tolerated and provided effective glycaemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes and moderate to severe renal insufficiency, including patients with ESRD on dialysis.
Extended‐release tolterodine with or without tamsulosin in men with lower urinary tract symptoms and overactive bladder: effects on urinary symptoms assessed by the International Prostate Symptom Score
Authors: Kaplan Steven A. , Roehrborn Claus G. , Chancellor Michael , Carlsson Martin , Bavendam Tamara , Guan Zhonghong
Published: May 2008

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy of tolterodine extended‐release (ER) plus tamsulosin on lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) as assessed by changes in the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) in men who met symptom entry criteria for both overactive bladder (OAB) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) trials.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Men aged ≥40 years with an IPSS of ≥12 and diary‐documented OAB symptoms (≥8 voids/24 h and ≥3 urgency episodes/24 h, with or without urgency urinary incontinence) who reported at least moderate problems related to their bladder condition were randomized to receive placebo, tolterodine ER (4 mg), tamsulosin (0.4 mg), or tolterodine ER (4 mg) + tamsulosin (0.4 mg) once daily for 12 weeks. Patients completed the IPSS at baseline and at 1, 6 and 12 weeks.

RESULTS

Patients receiving tolterodine ER + tamsulosin had significantly greater improvements than those taking placebo on IPSS storage subscale scores and scores for all three individual storage items included on the IPSS (urinary frequency, urgency, and nocturnal micturitions) by 12 weeks. Storage subscale and urgency scores were significantly improved vs placebo at 1 and 6 weeks, whereas frequency scores were significantly improved at 6 weeks. Changes in IPSS storage subscale and individual storage item scores in the tolterodine ER and tamsulosin monotherapy groups were not significantly different from placebo at most time points. IPSS voiding subscale scores and scores for three of four individual voiding items (sensation of incomplete emptying, intermittency, and weak stream) were significantly improved by 12 weeks for patients receiving tamsulosin monotherapy vs placebo. Voiding subscale and intermittency scores were significantly improved vs placebo at 1 week; weak stream scores were significantly improved at 1 and 6 weeks. The IPSS voiding subscale and individual voiding item scores in the tolterodine ER + tamsulosin and tolterodine ER groups were not significantly different from placebo at most time points.

CONCLUSIONS

In this distinct clinical research population of men who met traditional symptom entry criteria for both OAB and BPH trials, tolterodine ER + tamsulosin was significantly more effective than placebo in treating storage LUTS, including OAB symptoms. Tamsulosin monotherapy produced significant improvements in voiding LUTS.
Association of British Clinical Diabetologists (ABCD) and Diabetes‐UK survey of specialist diabetes services in the UK, 2006. 1. The consultant physician perspective
Authors: Winocour P. H. , Gosden C. , Walton C. , Nagi D. , Turner B. , Williams R. , James J. , Holt R. I. G.
Published: June 2008

Aims  To identify the views and working practices of consultant diabetologists in the UK in 2006–2007, the current provision of specialist services, and to examine changes since 2000.

Methods  All 592 UK consultant diabetologists were invited to participate in an on‐line survey. Quantitative and qualitative analyses of responses were undertaken. A composite ‘well‐resourced service score’ was calculated. In addition to an analysis of all respondents, a sub‐analysis was undertaken, comparing localities represented both in 2006/2007 and in 2000.

Results  In 2006/2007, a 49% response rate was achieved, representing 50% of acute National Health Service Trusts. Staffing levels had improved, but remained below recommendations made in 2000. Ten percent of specialist services were still provided by single‐handed consultants, especially in Northern Ireland (in 50% of responses, P = 0.001 vs. other nations). Antenatal, joint adult–paediatric and ophthalmology sub‐specialist diabetes services and availability of biochemical tests had improved since 2000, but access to psychology services had declined. Almost 90% of consultants had no clinical engagement in providing community diabetes services. The ‘well‐resourced service score’ had not improved since 2000. There was continued evidence of disparity in resources between the nations (lowest in Wales and Northern Ireland, P = 0.007), between regions in England (lowest in the East Midlands and the Eastern regions, P = 0.028), and in centres with a single‐handed consultant service (P = 0.001). Job satisfaction correlated with well‐resourced service score (P = 0.001). The main concerns and threats to specialist services were deficiencies in psychology access, inadequate staffing, lack of progress in commissioning, and the detrimental impact of central policy on specialist services.

Conclusions  There are continued disparities in specialist service provision. Without effective commissioning and adequate specialist team staffing, integrated diabetes care will remain unattainable in many regions, regardless of reconfigurations and alternative service models.
Implementing a national quality assurance system for diabetes care: the Scottish Diabetes Survey 2001–2006
Authors: McKnight J. A. , Morris A. D. , Cline D. , Peden N. , Fischbacher C. , Wild S. ,   on behalf of The Scottish Diabetes Survey Monitoring Group
Published: June 2008

Aim  To create a standardized systematic quality assurance system for diabetes care throughout Scotland.

Methods  Each of 15 National Health Service (NHS) boards have submitted core diabetes data for a nationally agreed data specification on an annual basis since 2001. These data are collated to produce an annual national report. We describe the iterative progress of the work in obtaining and analysing this information. The setting was Scotland, with a population of 5 million.

Results  In Scotland in 2006, 196 801 people (3.9% of the population) were reported as having diabetes compared with 105 777 in 2001. In 2006 the prevalence of reported diabetes varied from 3.5 to 4.4% in different NHS board areas, reflecting variation in completeness of local registers as well as different demographic patterns. The completeness of recording of many clinical parameters has also increased. (2002 data n = 103 755: diagnosis date 77%, HbA1c, blood pressure and cholesterol within 15 months 71, 67 and 60%, respectively, increasing to 98, 87, 89 and 85% by 2006, n = 196 801.) A national information management and technology solution (Scottish Collaborative Information–Diabetes Care), involving automatic daily collection of data from routinely used systems both in primary and secondary care, is now used to co‐ordinate the collection of data in all NHS board areas.

Conclusions  We have used routine data to estimate the prevalence of reported diabetes in Scotland, UK. This iterative approach to quality improvement has taken 6 years to achieve a baseline measure of care. There is potential to analyse these data further for a better understanding of the epidemiology of diabetes in Scotland. The national diabetes information technology system will contribute to this process.
Stratified analyses for selecting appropriate target patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy for long‐term treatment with an aldose reductase inhibitor, epalrestat
Authors: Hotta N , Kawamori R. , Atsumi Y. , Baba M. , Kishikawa H. , Nakamura J. , Oikawa S. , Yamada N. , Yasuda H. , Shigeta Y. ,   The ADCT Study Group
Published: May 2008

Aims  The long‐term efficacy of epalrestat, an aldose reductase inhibitor, in improving subjective symptoms and nerve function was comprehensively assessed to identify patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy who responded to epalrestat treatment.

Methods  Stratified analyses were conducted on data from patients in the Aldose Reductase Inhibitor—Diabetes Complications Trial (ADCT). The ADCT included patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy, median motor nerve conduction velocity ≥ 40 m/s and with glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) ≤ 9.0%. Longitudinal data on HbA1c and subjective symptoms of the patients for 3 years were analysed (epalrestat n = 231, control subjects n = 273). Stratified analyses based on background variables (glycaemic control, grades of retinopathy or proteinuria) were performed to examine the relationship between subjective symptoms and nerve function. Multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted.

Results  Stratified subgroup analyses revealed significantly better efficacy of epalrestat in patients with good glycaemic control and less severe diabetic complications. In the control group, no improvement in nerve function was seen regardless of whether symptomatic benefit was obtained. In the epalrestat group, nerve function deteriorated less or improved in patients whose symptoms improved. The odds ratio of the efficacy of epalrestat vs. control subjects was approximately 2 : 1 (4 : 1 in patients with HbA1c ≤ 7.0%).

Conclusion  Our results suggest that epalrestat, an aldose reductase inhibitor, will provide a clinically significant means of preventing and treating diabetic neuropathy if used in appropriate patients.
Dual‐Class Equity Structure, Nonaudit Fees and the Information Content of Earnings
Authors: Niu Flora
Published: May 2008

Manuscript Type:Empirical

Research Question/Issue:This paper examines the relationship between dual‐class share structure and the purchase of nonaudit services, and the extent to which the market's valuation of accounting information is influenced by the perception of auditing compromise resulting from such purchases.

Research Findings/Results:Using a sample of Canadian companies from 2003–2004, we find that dual‐class firms pay a larger amount of nonaudit fees to the auditors, relative to single‐class firms, both in the absolute dollar amount and as a ratio of total audit fees. In addition, the returns‐earnings association is significantly lower for dual‐class firms than for their counterparts, and there is a further valuation discount as dual‐class firms increase nonaudit service purchases.

Theoretical Implications:We argue that severe agency problems inherent from the deviation from the one‐vote‐per‐share structure lead to greater demand for economic bonding with the auditors via the purchase of nonaudit services. This study contributes to the growing body of nonaudit service literature by documenting the empirical link between ownership of control and nonaudit purchases.

Practical Implications:The results indicate that investors believe a larger amount of nonaudit services highlights the underlying agency problems and compromises auditor independence for firms with a separation of cash flow rights and voting rights. The findings suggest that regulators in Canada and in other developed countries, when revising their future regulations on audit committees, may need to emphasize the role of restricted‐class shareholders in bolstering the audit committee function and the auditing process.
Disclosure on Corporate Governance in the European Union
Authors: Bauwhede Heidi Vander , Willekens Marleen
Published: May 2008

Manuscript Type: Empirical

Research Question/Issue: In this paper, we examine the determinants of the level of disclosure on corporate governance practices among European listed companies in the time period preceding the adoption of the European Union recommendations and Action Plan.

Research Findings/Results: Using ratings on corporate governance disclosure issued by an independent rating agency we find that –ceteris paribus– the level of disclosure: (1) is lower for companies with higher ownership concentration; (2) is higher for companies from common‐law countries; and (3) increases with the level of working capital accruals.

Theoretical Implications: The results of the study support theoretical arguments that companies disclose corporate governance information in order to reduce information asymmetry and agency costs stemming from the separation between ownership and control, and to improve investor confidence in the reported accounting information. The study suggests various avenues for future research on corporate governance.

Practical Implications: To policy makers and practitioners, the results suggest that a mandatory corporate governance disclosure requirement is abundant, and perhaps could even be inefficient. The results also indicate which types of companies can be expected to be least willing to comply with recent corporate governance disclosure requirements, and thus will need extra monitoring.
Self‐reported Use of Emotional Display Rules in the Netherlands and Iran: Evidence for Sociocultural Influence
Authors: Novin Sheida , Banerjee Robin , Dadkhah Asghar , Rieffe Carolien
Published: June 2008

Sociocultural differences in children's use and understanding of emotional display rules have been under‐researched. In the present study, 56 Dutch and 56 Iranian children aged 10–11 years took part in a structured interview about their experiences of using emotional display rules. In comparison with the Dutch children, the Iranian sample was more likely to report having actually used emotional display rules themselves, more likely to identify family audiences for display rules, and less likely to identify peer audiences. In addition, they were more likely than the Dutch children to identify both prosocial and self‐protective motives for concealing emotion from family audiences, and less likely to identify self‐protective motives for concealing emotion from peers. Results are interpreted in the light of socialization processes involved in the development of emotion regulation.
Extended Poisson Process Modelling of Dilution Series Data
Authors: Faddy M. J. , Smith D. M.
Published: May 2008

Data comprising colony counts, or a binary variable representing fertile (or sterile) samples, as a dilution series of the containing medium are analysed by using extended Poisson process modelling. These models form a class of flexible probability distributions that are widely applicable to count and grouped binary data. Standard distributions such as Poisson and binomial, and those representing overdispersion and underdispersion relative to these distributions can be expressed within this class. For all the models in the class, likelihoods can be obtained. These models have not been widely used because of the perceived difficulty of performing the calculations and the lack of associated software. Exact calculation of the probabilities that are involved can be time consuming although accurate approximations that use considerably less computational time are available. Although dilution series data are the focus here, the models are applicable to any count or binary data. A benefit of the approach is the ability to draw likelihood-based inferences from the data.
ON “NOT THREE GODS”—AGAIN: CAN A PRIMARY‐SECONDARY SUBSTANCE READING OF OUSIA AND HYPOSTASIS AVOID TRITHEISM?
Authors: JACOBS NATHAN
Published: May 2008

This article is both historical and constructive. The historical side addresses the question of whether a consistent line of analogy for the Trinity can be found among the Cappadocians. I answer in the affirmative, arguing that an analogy of primary‐secondary substance for the one ousia and three hypostases of the Godhead is present in Basil and the two Gregories. The constructive side concerns the question raised by modern critics over whether Primary‐Secondary Substance Trinitarianism (PST) can ultimately avoid tritheism. I will consider objections to this analogy in an effort to show that PST, when taking its cues from the Cappadocians, can successfully sustain its claim to monotheism.
Synthetic morphology: prospects for engineered, self‐constructing anatomies
Authors: Davies Jamie A.
Published: May 2008

This paper outlines prospects for applying the emerging techniques of synthetic biology to the field of anatomy, with the aim of programming cells to organize themselves into specific, novel arrangements, structures and tissues. There are two main reasons why developing this hybrid discipline – synthetic morphology – would be useful. The first is that having a way to engineer self‐constructing assemblies of cells would provide a powerful means of tissue engineering for clinical use in surgery and regenerative medicine. The second is that construction of simple novel systems according to theories of morphogenesis gained from study of real embryos will provide a means of testing those theories rigorously, something that is very difficult to do by manipulation of complex embryos. This paper sets out the engineering requirements for synthetic morphology, which include the development of a library of sensor modules, regulatory modules and effector modules that can be connected functionally within cells. A substantial number of sensor and regulatory modules already exist and this paper argues that some potential effector modules have already been identified. The necessary library may therefore be within reach. The paper ends by suggesting a set of challenges, ranging from simple to complex, the achievement of which would provide valuable proofs of concept.
The anatomical relationships between the avian eye, orbit and sclerotic ring: implications for inferring activity patterns in extinct birds
Authors: Hall Margaret I.
Published: May 2008

Activity pattern, or the time of day when an animal is awake and active, is highly associated with that animal's ecology. There are two principal activity patterns: diurnal, or awake during the day in a photopic, or high light level, environment; and nocturnal, awake at night in scotopic, or low light level, conditions. Nocturnal and diurnal birds exhibit characteristic eye shapes associated with their activity pattern, with nocturnal bird eyes optimized for visual sensitivity with large corneal diameters relative to their eye axial lengths, and diurnal birds optimized for visual acuity, with larger axial lengths of the eye relative to their corneal diameters. The current study had three aims: (1) to quantify the nature of the relationship between the avian eye and its associated bony anatomy, the orbit and the sclerotic ring; (2) to investigate how activity pattern is reflected in that bony anatomy; and (3) to identify how much bony anatomy is required to interpret activity pattern reliably for a bird that does not have the soft tissue available for study, specifically, for a fossil. Knowledge of extinct avian activity patterns would be useful in making palaeoecological interpretations. Here eye, orbit and sclerotic ring morphologies of 140 nocturnal and diurnal bird species are analysed in a phylogenetic context. Although there is a close relationship between the avian eye and orbit, activity pattern can only be reliably interpreted for bony‐only specimens, such as a fossil, that include both measurements of the sclerotic ring and orbit depth. Any missing data render the fossil analysis inaccurate, including fossil specimens that are flat and therefore do not have an orbit depth available. For example, activity pattern cannot be determined with confidence forArchaeopteryx lithographica, which has a complete sclerotic ring but no orbit depth measurement. Many of the bird fossils currently available that retain a good sclerotic ring tend to be flat specimens, while three‐dimensionally preserved bird fossils tend not to have a well‐preserved sclerotic ring or a well‐defined optic foramen, necessary for delimiting the orbit depth.
Rapid loss of motor nerve terminals following hypoxia–reperfusion injury occurs via mechanisms distinct from classic Wallerian degeneration
Authors: Baxter Becki , Gillingwater Thomas H. , Parson Simon H.
Published: May 2008

Motor nerve terminals are known to be vulnerable to a wide range of pathological stimuli. To further characterize this vulnerability, we have developed a novel model system to examine the response of mouse motor nerve terminals in ex vivo nerve/muscle preparations to 2 h hypoxia followed by 2 h reperfusion. This insult induced a rapid loss of neurofilament and synaptic vesicle protein immunoreactivity at pre‐synaptic motor nerve terminals but did not appear to affect post‐synaptic endplates or muscle fibres. The severity of nerve terminal loss was dependent on the age of the mouse and muscle type: in 8–12‐week‐old mice the predominantly fast‐twitch lumbrical muscles showed an 82.5% loss, whereas the predominantly slow‐twitch muscles transversus abdominis and triangularis sterni showed a 57.8% and 27.2% loss, respectively. This was contrasted with a > 97% loss in the predominantly slow‐twitch muscles from 5–6‐week‐old mice. We have also demonstrated that nerve terminal loss occurs by a mechanism distinct from Wallerian degeneration, as the slow Wallerian degeneration (Wlds) gene did not modify the extent of nerve terminal pathology. Together, these data show that our new model of hypoxia–reperfusion injury is robust and repeatable, that it induces rapid, quantitative changes in motor nerve terminals and that it can be used to further examine the mechanisms regulating nerve terminal vulnerability in response to hypoxia–reperfusion injury.
Quantification of diverse subcellular immunohistochemical markers with clinicobiological relevancies: validation of a new computer‐assisted image analysis procedure
Authors: Lejeune Marylène , Jaén Joaquín , Pons Lluis , López Carlos , Salvadó Maria‐Teresa , Bosch Ramón , García Marcial , Escrivà Patricia , Baucells Jordi , Cugat Xavier , Álvaro Tomás
Published: May 2008

Tissue microarray technology and immunohistochemical techniques have become a routine and indispensable tool for current anatomical pathology diagnosis. However, manual quantification by eye is relatively slow and subjective, and the use of digital image analysis software to extract information of immunostained specimens is an area of ongoing research, especially when the immunohistochemical signals have different localization in the cells (nuclear, membrane, cytoplasm). To minimize critical aspects of manual quantitative data acquisition, we generated semi‐automated image‐processing steps for the quantification of individual stained cells with immunohistochemical staining of different subcellular location. The precision of these macros was evaluated in 196 digital colour images of different Hodgkin lymphoma biopsies stained for different nuclear (Ki67, p53), cytoplasmic (TIA‐1, CD68) and membrane markers (CD4, CD8, CD56, HLA‐Dr). Semi‐automated counts were compared to those obtained manually by three separate observers. Paired t‐tests demonstrated significant differences between intra‐ and inter‐observer measurements, with more substantial variability when the cellular density of the digital images was > 100 positive cells/image. Overall, variability was more pronounced for intra‐observer than for inter‐observer comparisons, especially for cytoplasmic and membrane staining patterns (P < 0.0001 and P = 0.050). The comparison between the semi‐automated and manual microscopic measurement methods indicates significantly lower variability in the results yielded by the former method. Our semi‐automated computerized method eliminates the major causes of observer variability and may be considered a valid alternative to manual microscopic quantification for diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic purposes.
Sex‐independent transmission ratio distortion system responsible for reproductive barriers between Asian and African rice species
Authors: Koide Yohei , Onishi Kazumitsu , Nishimoto Daisuke , Baruah Akhil Ranjan , Kanazawa Akira , Sano Yoshio
Published: May 2008

DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-8137.2008.02559.xCommentary p 572