bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Activation of the mesostriatal reward pathway with exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) vs. sham UVR in frequent tanners: a pilot study
Authors: Harrington Cynthia R. , Beswick Tracy C. , Graves Michael , Jacobe Heidi T. , Harris Thomas S. , Kourosh Shadi , Devous Sr Michael D. , Adinoff Bryon
Published: April 2011

Frequent and excessive tanning persists despite a growing understanding of its associated morbidity and mortality, suggesting that ultraviolet radiation may impart rewarding effects beyond the assumed cosmetic benefits. To empirically measure putative centrally rewarding properties of ultraviolet radiation (UVR), we assessed the effects of a commercially available tanning bed upon regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF), a measure of brain activity, using single‐photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). Seven frequent salon bed tanners were placed under a UVA/UVB tanning light during two sessions; one session with UVR and the other with filtered UVR (sham UVR). Session order was randomized and subjects were blinded to study order. During the UVR session, relative to sham UVR session, subjects demonstrated a relative increase in rCBF of the dorsal striatum, anterior insula and medial orbitofrontal cortex, brain regions associated with the experience of reward. These changes were accompanied by a decrease in the subjective desire to tan. These findings suggest that UVR may have centrally rewarding properties that encourage excessive tanning.
Emergence patterns of univoltine and bivoltine Ips typographus (L.) populations and associated natural enemies
Authors: Wermelinger B. , Epper C. , Kenis M. , Ghosh S. , Holdenrieder O.
Published: April 2011

Control measures aiming at reducing bark beetle populations and preserving their natural enemies require a sound knowledge on their overwintering and emergence behaviour. These behavioural traits were investigated in univoltine and bivoltine populations of the European spruce bark beetle (Ips typographus [L.], Coleoptera: Scolytinae) and its predators and parasitoids over several consecutive years. In univoltine populations, roughly 50% of the bark beetles left their brood trees in fall together with most parasitoids and some significant predatory flies and beetles. In bivoltine populations, <10% of the second bark beetle generation emerged in fall and the remainder overwintered under the bark of their brood trees. Likewise, most predatory beetles and flies spent wintertime with their prey under the bark, while most parasitic wasps emerged in fall.

The spring emergence of bivoltine predatory beetles was found to occur up to 3 weeks earlier than that of I. typographus, while that of the predatory flies and the parasitoids was delayed by up to 1 month. In univoltine populations, the bark beetles emerged several weeks prior to most antagonistic taxa. In the heat year 2003, three I. typographus generations were produced at the lower location, 36% of the third generation emerged in fall, while the proportions of overwintering predators remained largely the same as in previous years. Similar to their host, more parasitoids left their brood trees in fall after warm years.

The results show that sanitation felling during winter probably kills most bark beetles in bivoltine populations, but also eliminates many natural enemies. In univoltine populations, sanitation felling might be less detrimental to both I. typographus and natural enemies because a fair fraction of their populations will already have left the trees before cutting. Warmer climates may affect the interactions of bark beetles and natural enemies and thus the impact of control measures.
Ginger root oil increases mating competitiveness of sterile Mediterranean fruit fly (Diptera:Tephritidae) in Western Australia
Authors: Steiner E. , Woods W. , McInnis D. O. , Lindsey J. , Fogliani R. , Soopaya R.
Published: April 2011

The exposure of sterile male Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) to the aroma of essential oil derived from ginger root Zingiber officinale Roscoe (GRO) has been shown in field cage trials to increase their mating success. This field cage study compared the mating performance of mass reared sterile Mediterranean fruit fly males prepared for ground release programmes under four different post‐irradiation systems, two of which involved exposure of the flies to GRO aroma. In the first system, irradiated pupae were placed into non‐vented 5‐L paper tubs, individually aromatized by 20 μl of GRO (4 ml/m3) for 96–120 h until the adults were 2–3 days old. In the second system, irradiated pupae were placed in vented 5‐L paper tubs, exposed for 24 h in a GRO aromatized room (0.5 ml/m3) when the adults were 3 days old and contained until required for mating tests at 5 days old. The third and fourth systems were the same as the first two systems respectively, except that the flies were not exposed to GRO aroma. Significant differences in mating success were found among treatments. The exposure of 2 to 3‐day old flies to GRO aroma improved mating performance slightly compared with equivalent non‐exposed flies, but it was still below the minimum value accepted under international standards, while 27% of unexposed 5‐day‐old sterile males mated and had competitiveness (Fried value 0.38) slightly above this minimum level. GRO exposed 5‐day‐old flies had the highest mating percentage (67%) and a level of competitiveness (Fried value 1.81) based on induced sterility above that of wild flies (Fried value 1). The results indicate that the effectiveness of sterile male ground release programmes can be increased significantly by releasing 5‐day‐old sterile males that have been exposed to GRO in an entirely aromatized adult fly holding room.
Production of novel alloplasmic male sterile lines in Allium cepa harbouring the cytoplasm from Allium roylei
Authors: Vu Hao Q. , Iwata Machiko , Yamauchi Naoki , Shigyo Masayoshi
Published: April 2011

With 3 figures and 5 tables

To develop alloplasmic lines of Allium cepa, cytoplasmic substitution by continuous backcrossing was performed using Allium roylei as a cytoplasm donor. The chromosomes of a single F1 plant between A. roylei (♀) and shallot were doubled, and then backcrossing with shallot was performed to produce BC1 as allotriploids. One allotriploid plant was used for backcrossing with bulb onion to produce BC2 with 2n = 16, 17, 23 and 24. The BC2 plants possessing 16 chromosomes were checked for pollen fertility in Yamaguchi, Japan (N34°11′), and then backcrossed with bulb onion again to evaluate their seed‐setting characteristics. The pollen fertility of BC2 ranged from 0% to more than 10%. A large number of plants showed no pollen fertility (0%). In Kagawa and Hokkaido, most of the plants were completely pollen sterile, while the percentages of seed sets in BC2 were high enough to reproduce BC3 seeds. The results of this study revealed that an exploitation of A. roylei cytoplasm would be useful for the development of a novel cytoplasmic male sterility line in Allium.
Acute renal failure SNAPPE and mortality
Authors: Türker Gülcan , Özsoy Gamze , Günlemez Ayla , Gökalp Ayşe S. , Arisoy Ayşe E. , Bircan Zelal
Published: April 2011

Background:  The aim of the present study was to determine, using the score for neonatal acute physiology and perinatal extension II (SNAPPE‐II), whether there is an association with acute renal failure (ARF) and whether it is possible to identify newborns at risk for ARF prior to a rise in creatinine in newborns.

Methods:  Information on postnatal risk factors and SNAPPE‐II on the first day of life (non‐ARF group, n= 475; ARF group, n= 78) were collected. Renal failure was defined as serum creatinine level >1 mg/dL and >1.3 mg/dL (for ≥33 weeks and <33 weeks, respectively) after 48 h of life.

Results:  In newborns with ARF (n= 78), the median (range) of SNAPPE‐II and mortality rate were significantly higher than those of the control group. Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), SNAPPE‐II, and resuscitation were identified as independent predictors of ARF in infants on forward stepwise logistic regression. Sepsis, respiratory distress syndrome, ARF, DIC, and SNAPPE‐II were identified as independent predictors of mortality in infants on the same analysis.

Conclusions:  SNAPPE‐II on the first day of life was significantly higher among babies with ARF, suggesting a positive association between higher scores and the development of ARF and mortality, but based on receiver operating characteristic curve results, SNAPPE‐II at admission did not enhance the assessment of risk for ARF prior to a rise in creatinine.
Simplified radius, ulna, and short bone‐age assessment procedure using grouped‐Tanner‐Whitehouse method
Authors: Hsieh Chi‐Wen , Liu Tzu‐Chiang , Wang Jui‐Kai , Jong Tai‐Lang , Tiu Chui‐Mei
Published: April 2011

Background:  The Tanner–Whitehouse III (TW3) method is popular for assessing children's bone age, but it is time‐consuming in clinical settings; to simplify this, a grouped‐TW algorithm (GTA) was developed.

Methods:  A total of 534 left‐hand roentgenograms of subjects aged 2–15 years, including 270 training and 264 testing datasets, were evaluated by a senior pediatrician. Next, GTA was used to choose the appropriate candidate of radius, ulna, and short bones and to classify the bones into three groups by data mining. Group 1 was composed of the maturity pattern of the radius and the middle phalange of the third and fifth digits and three weights were obtained by data mining, yielding a result similar to that of TW3. Subsequently, new bone‐age assessment tables were constructed for boys and girls by linear regression and fuzzy logic. In addition, the Bland–Altman plot was utilized to compare accuracy between the GTA, the Greulich–Pyle (GP), and the TW3 method.

Results:  The relative accuracy between the GTA and the TW3 was 96.2% in boys and 95% in girls, with an error of 1 year, while that between the assessment results of the GP and TW3 was about 87%, with an error of 1 year. However, even if the three weights were not optimally processed, GTA yielded a marginal result with an accuracy of 78.2% in boys and 79.6% in girls.

Conclusions:  GTA can efficiently simplify the complexity of the TW3 method, while maintaining almost the same accuracy. The relative accuracy between the assessment results of GTA and GP can also be marginal.
Effect of prematurity on protein glycosylation in the newborn
Authors: Whitton Gerald B. , Dhanireddy Ramasubbareddy , Jain Sushil K.
Published: April 2011

Background:  Glycohemoglobins (GHb) are the products of irreversible non‐enzymatic reactions between glucose and the hemoglobin molecule. Glycosylation of proteins in general can modify protein structure and alter catalytic properties, thereby causing cellular dysfunction. The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that protein glycosylation levels in premature infants are elevated compared with full‐term infants (neonates). Blood GHb levels in pre‐term and full‐term infants were studied, and the in vitro glycosylation of erythrocytes obtained from both pre‐term and full‐term infants was assessed.

Methods:  Cord‐blood from 31 pre‐term and 11 full‐term infants was collected and GHb levels were determined using affinity columns. Erythrocytes from the cord blood of 17 additional infants (eight pre‐term, ≤36 weeks gestation, and nine full‐term, ≥37 weeks gestation) were obtained and incubated for 24 h in a high‐glucose medium. Baseline and post‐incubation GHb levels were calculated to determine the in vitro susceptibility of pre‐term versus full‐term infants to glycosylation.

Results:  Blood GHb levels were significantly higher (P < 0.01) in full‐term compared with pre‐term infants. The percent increase in GHb formation in vitro was similar between the erythrocytes of full‐term and those of pre‐term infants.

Conclusion:  Contrary to the original hypothesis, the erythrocytes of pre‐term infants do not show increased glycosylation of proteins when compared with those of full‐term infants.
Laparoscopic technique for identifying the main trunk of the uterine artery by tracing its superior branch
Authors: Lin Yonghong , Yu Tinghe , Hu Lina
Published: April 2011

Aim:  To determine the feasibility of identifying the main trunk of the uterine artery by tracing its superior branch with a laparoscopic technique.

Material and Methods:  Ten patients with symptomatic myomas who had indication for surgical intervention were enrolled in this prospective nonrandomized study between November 2009 and February 2010.The uterine artery was identified by tracing its superior branch with a laparoscopic technique, and then performing occlusion of the uterine artery. Estimated uterus weight, operating time, blood loss, and intraoperative complications were recorded.

Results:  Bilateral uterine arteries were successfully isolated in all cases (n = 10) without intraoperative complications. The estimated uterine weight was 290 g (220–370 g). The operation time from the opening of anterior peritoneum of the broad ligament to the occlusion of unilateral uterine artery was 3 min (2.3–6 min). The volume of estimated blood loss was less than 10 mL.

Conclusion:  This pilot trial demonstrated that it was feasible to locate the main trunk of the uterine artery by tracing its superior branch. This technique provided a fast modality for laparoscopic surgery.
Anthropometric, clinical and laboratory comparison of four phenotypes of polycystic ovary syndrome based on Rotterdam criteria
Authors: Yilmaz Mehmet , Isaoglu Unal , Delibas Ilhan Bahri , Kadanali Sedat
Published: April 2011

Aim:  To compare all phenotypes of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) for anthropometrical, hormonal, and metabolic differences according to Rotterdam criteria.

Material & Methods:  Women with PCOS (Rotterdam definition; n = 127) and women without PCOS used as controls (n = 44). There were four phenotypes of PCOS: 56/127 (44.09%) of the patients were polycystic ovaries on ultrasound (PCO) + oligo or anovulation (O) + biochemical and/or clinical hyperandrogenism (HA), 29/127 (22.84%) were HA+O, 24/127 (18.90%) were PCO+O and 18/127 (14.17%) were HA+PCO. And 42/127 (33.07%) patients represented the new phenotypes (PCO+O and HA+PCO). Phenotypical, hormonal and metabolic parameters were compared between the groups.

Results:  Waist‐to‐hip ratio, luteinizing hormone‐to‐follicle stimulating hormone ratio, testosterone, androstenedione, dehydroepiandrostenedione were lower in women with PCO+O and controls than the other three phenotypes. The highest score regarding hirsutismus was found in the HA+O phenotype and the lowest score in the PCO+O phenotype. Prevalence of metabolic syndrome and degree of insulin resistance in PCO+O phenotype was closer to control subjects than the other three phenotypes.

Conclusions:  Anthropometrical, hormonal, and metabolic differences suggest that PCO+O phenotype is closer to control group than the other PCOS phenotypes.
The levels of nitric oxide and asymmetric dimethylarginine in the rat endometriosis model
Authors: Cayci Tuncer , Akgul Emin Ozgur , Gulcan Kurt Yasemin , Ceyhan Temel S. , Aydin Ibrahim , Onguru Onder , Yaman Halil , Cakir Erdinc , Yasar Mehmet , Bilgi Cumhur , Erbil Kemal M.
Published: April 2011

Aim:  To investigate the levels of nitric oxide (NO) and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) in all the rat endometriosis models.

Material & Methods:  Forty‐one rats with endometriotic implants were divided into four groups (1 to 4) and administered infliximab, etanercept, letrozole and control, respectively. There were 11 rats in group 5 (normal). The size of implants, plasma ADMA and nitrate/nitrite (NOx) levels and histological score were assessed.

Results:  In groups 1, 2 and 3, plasma ADMA levels were higher than groups 4 and 5, 296.8 ± 66.2, 285.9 ± 35.7, 200.3 ± 41.0, 125.3 ± 16.7, 111.3 ± 6.5 µmol/L, respectively, while NOx levels were lower than groups of control and normal 19.6 ± 3.8, 19.8 ± 4.4, 39.3 ± 6.1, 80.5 ± 5.3, and 91.1 ± 5.0 µmol/L, respectively.

Conclusions:  Infliximab, etanercept and letrozole have regressed endometriotic implants, decreased plasma NOx levels, and increased plasma ADMA levels.
Emergency peripartum hysterectomy in a tertiary obstetric center: nine years evaluation
Authors: Demirci Oya , Tuğrul Ahmet S. , Yılmaz Ertuğrul , Tosun Özgür , Demirci Elif , Eren Yadigar S.
Published: April 2011

Aims:  The aim of this study was to estimate the incidence, indications, risk factors, complications, and maternal morbidity and mortality associated with obstetric hysterectomy performed at the Zeynep Kamil Gynecologic and Pediatric Training and Research Hospital between January 2000 and January 2008.

Material & Methods:  A retrospective study of patients requiring an emergency peripartum hysterectomy (EPH) over a 9‐year period was conducted. Emergent peripartum hysterectomy was defined as an operation performed in cases whose bleeding was not prevented by other approaches for 24 h after delivery. Thirty‐nine cases of emergency peripartum hysterectomy were performed.

Results:  The incidence of emergency peripartum hysterectomy was 0.37 per 1000 deliveries. Thirty‐four cases of hysterectomy were performed after cesarean section (CS). The main indication for EPH was placenta accreta (53.8%), followed by uterine atony (25.6%). There were six maternal deaths (15.4%). Severe maternal morbidity included: bladder injury (15.4%), relaparotomy (35.4%), and transfusion >10 unit's red blood cells (15.6%). Both previous CS and CS in the index pregnancy were associated with a significant increased risk of EPH. The number of previous CS was related to an increased risk of placenta accreta; the relative ratio increased from 3.6 for one previous CS to 37 for three or more previous CS.

Conclusion:  Emergency peripartum hysterectomy is significantly related to CS in index or previous pregnancy. Placenta accreta is the most common indication to perform peripartum hysterectomy. EPH is associated with a high incidence of maternal morbidity and mortality.
Role of transesophageal echocardiography in the management of pediatric patients with congenital heart disease
Authors: Kamra Komal , Russell Isobel , Miller‐Hance Wanda C.
Published: April 2011

Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) has become a critical diagnostic and perioperative management tool for patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) undergoing cardiac and noncardiac surgical procedures. This review highlights the role of TEE in routine management of pediatric cardiac patient population with focus on indications, views, applications and technological advances.
The Prospect of Migration, Sticky Wages, and “Educated Unemployment”
Authors: Stark Oded , Fan C. Simon
Published: April 2011

An increase in the probability of work abroad, where the returns to schooling are higher than at home, induces more individuals in a developing country to acquire education, which leads to an increase in the supply of educated workers in the domestic labor market. Where there is a sticky wage rate, the demand for labor at home will be constant. With a rising supply and constant demand, the rate of unemployment of educated workers in the domestic labor market will increase. Thus, the prospect of employment abroad causes involuntary “educated unemployment” at home. A government that is concerned about “educated unemployment” and might therefore be expected to encourage unemployed educated people to migrate will nevertheless, under certain conditions, elect to restrict the extent of the migration of educated individuals.
International R&D Networks
Authors: Zu Lei , Dong Baomin , Zhao Xin , Zhang Jin
Published: April 2011

This paper considers the Goyal and Moraga‐Gonzalez (2001) model of strategic R&D collaboration networks in the open economy framework. The R&D is the d'Aspremont and Jacquemin (1988) process innovation and collaboration takes the form of research joint ventures (RJV) in which firms cooperate in R&D but compete in product markets. Countries decide whether to establish free‐trade links while firms decide whether and with whom to form RJVs. A double‐layer pairwise stability concept is introduced to characterize equilibrium network structures. In contrast with conventional wisdom, it is shown that global free trade generally reduces collaborative R&D levels. We give conditions for which pairwise stable R&D networks are welfare maximizing. Stability and efficiency are congruent when R&D cost is either too high or too low. A large public spillover effect is detrimental to an R&D network when trade networks are regional.
Integrating immigrant minorities: Developing a scale to measure majority members’ attitudes toward their own proactive efforts
Authors: PHELPS JOSHUA MARVLE , EILERTSEN DAG ERIK , TÜRKEN SALMAN , OMMUNDSEN REIDAR
Published: April 2011

Phelps, J. M., Eilertsen, D. E., Türken, S. & Ommundsen, R. (2011). Integrating immigrant minorities: Developing a scale to measure majority members’ attitudes toward their own proactive efforts. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology 52, 404–410.

The present study is based on the premise that the integration of ethnic minorities may involve more than the majority’s expression of tolerance. In order to promote inclusion, the majority may have to play a more active role in the integration process. We describe the development and validation of a new psychometric scale which assesses majority members’ attitudes toward their own proactive contribution to the integration of immigrants within three domains: cultural and structural efforts, and openness to diversity. The scale is investigated by analyses of internal structure and exploration of construct validity in relation to relevant social psychological and personality constructs in a sample of 486 Norwegian university students (28% male, mean age = 26.5, SD = 6.08). Factor analyses supported a unidimensional structure and the estimated reliability of an additive scale was satisfactory (Cronbach’s α = 0.91). The scale correlated negatively with measures of right‐wing authoritarianism and social dominance orientation, and positively with global identity. It was weakly related to the personality traits agreeableness, intellect, extraversion, and conscientiousness. The potential utility of the scale in both applied and experimental social psychological studies are discussed.
Means without ends: justifying supportive home care for frail older people in Canada, 1990–2010
Authors: Ceci Christine , Purkis Mary Ellen
Published: April 2011

The challenges associated with ageing populations are very much on the policy and research agenda of many nations, with significant discussions focused on establishing appropriate, acceptable parameters of home care for those who are older and frail. This paper develops an analysis of changing justifications of home care in Canada (1990–2010) through examination of governmental and non‐governmental home care policy documents and position papers, as well as observations from recent fieldwork in home care. Boltanski and Thévenot’s sociology of justification provides a framework for analysis of these situations where competing and irreducible pluralities of goods complicate discussions of the ‘right’ way to proceed.
WHERE IS THE ECONOMICS IN SPATIAL ECONOMETRICS?*
Authors: Corrado Luisa , Fingleton Bernard
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACT Spatial econometrics has been criticized by some economists because some model specifications have been driven by data‐analytic considerations rather than having a firm foundation in economic theory. In particular, this applies to the so‐called W matrix, which is integral to the structure of endogenous and exogenous spatial lags, and to spatial error processes, and which are almost the sine qua non of spatial econometrics. Moreover, it has been suggested that the significance of a spatially lagged dependent variable involving W may be misleading, since it may be simply picking up the effects of omitted spatially dependent variables, incorrectly suggesting the existence of a spillover mechanism. In this paper, we review the theoretical and empirical rationale for network dependence and spatial externalities as embodied in spatially lagged variables, arguing that failing to acknowledge their presence at least leads to biased inference, can be a cause of inconsistent estimation, and leads to an incorrect understanding of true causal processes.
Improvements in survival of gynaecological cancer in the Anglia region of England: are these an effect of centralisation of care and use of multidisciplinary management?
Authors: Crawford R , Greenberg D
Published: April 2011

Please cite this paper as: Crawford R, Greenberg D. Improvements in survival of gynaecological cancer in the Anglia region of England: are these an effect of centralisation of care and use of multidisciplinary management? BJOG 2012;119:160–165.

Objective  Our hypothesis is that the adoption of Department of Health (DH) guidance has led to an improvement in outcome in gynaecological cancer survival.

Setting  In 1999 the DH in England introduced the Improving Outcomes in Gynaecological Cancer guidance, advising case management by multidisciplinary teams with surgical concentration in specialist hospitals. This guidance was rapidly adopted in the East of England, with a population of 2.5 million.

Population  The population of the Anglia Cancer Network was approximately 2.3 million.

Methods  From 1996 to 2003, details of 3406 cases of gynaecological cancer were identified in the Anglia region of England. Survival analysis was performed by Cox proportional hazards regression, relative to cases diagnosed in 1996.

Main outcome measure  Primary endpoint was survival.

Results  The survival rates for cases diagnosed between 1996 and 1999 were broadly the same across the time period, with a marked improvement taking place in 2000, and continuing to 2003 (HR 0.71, 95% CI 0.64–0.79, comparing 2000–03 with 1996–99 diagnoses), for all gynaecological sites combined. Adjustment for treatments or method of case follow‐up did not attenuate these improvements. There was a concurrent change towards major surgery being performed in specialist centres from 2000.

Conclusions  The adoption of the 1999 guidance on gynaecological cancer, which included multidisciplinary case management and centralisation of surgery, resulted in a marked step‐change improvement in survival of gynaecological cancer in an area of eastern England in 2000.
The city as a machine for learning
Authors: McFarlane Colin
Published: April 2011

Despite its centrality to urban politics, economies and life, learning remains a neglected and undertheorised domain in urban geography. In this paper, I address this by exploring a politics of learning through two key sites: tactical learning and urban learning forums. I offer a conception of learning based on three processes: translation, or the relational distributions through which learning is produced as a sociomaterial epistemology of displacement and change; coordination, or the construction of functional systems that enable learning as a means of linking different forms of knowledge, coping with complexity and facilitating adaptation; and dwelling, or the education of attention through which learning operates as a way of seeing and inhabiting the world. I then consider this conception of learning in relation to tactical learning, i.e. the resources marginal groups use to cope with, negotiate and resist in the city, and urban learning forums, i.e. the possibilities for progressive forms of learning between different constituencies in the city. I conclude with an outline of a critical urbanism of learning.
Affect and biopower: towards a politics of life
Authors: Anderson Ben
Published: April 2011

In this paper I stage an encounter between two concepts that have become popular placeholders for a broad concern with a politics of life: affect and biopower. Through engagement with Antonio Negri’s writings on the ‘real subsumption of life’ in contemporary capitalism and Michel Foucault’s lectures on neoliberalism, I show that understanding how forms of biopower work through affect requires attending to three relations: affective relations and capacities are object‐targets for discipline, biopolitics, security and environmentality; affective life is the outside through which new ways of living may emerge; and specific collective affects (including ‘state‐phobia’) are part of the conditions for the birth of forms of biopower. In what is simultaneously a departure from, and an affirmation of, recent work on affect, I argue that attending to the dynamics of affective life may become political as a counter to forms of biopower that work through processes of normalisation. The consequence is that understanding how biopower works on and through affect becomes a precondition for developing affirmative relations with affective life.
Continuing bonds in adjustment to bereavement: Impact of abrupt versus gradual separation
Authors: STROEBE MARGARET S. , ABAKOUMKIN GEORGIOS , STROEBE WOLFGANG , SCHUT HENK
Published: April 2011

There is debate whether continuing bonds with a deceased person help or hinder adaptation to bereavement. This longitudinal study examined causal relationships between continuing bonds and symptoms over time. Following attachment theory predictions, suddenness of separation was examined as a moderator. Data were obtained from 60 bereaved spouses at 3 points across the first 2 years of bereavement. Measures included expectedness of death, grief and depression measures, and a continuing bonds index. Persons with unexpected loss who retained strong bonds were the least well adapted and remained so over time. Those with expected loss and strong ties suffered initially but improved. Those with weaker ties had lower scores on maladaptation, regardless of (un)expectedness of death. Theoretical and applied implications are discussed.
Antagonists show GTP‐sensitive high‐affinity binding to the sigma‐1 receptor
Authors: Brimson JM , Brown CA , Safrany ST
Published: April 2011

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Sigma‐1 receptors are atypical receptors with potentially two transmembrane domains. Antagonists require doses significantly higher than their published affinities to have biological effects. We have reassessed the binding characteristics of these ligands and found antagonists bind to high‐ and low‐affinity states not distinguished by agonists.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH The affinities of sigma‐1 receptor ligands was assessed using radioligand saturation and competition binding of [3H]‐(+)‐pentazocine to permeabilized MDA‐MB‐468 cells. This was compared with the effect of ligands on metabolic activity using an MTS‐based assay and calcium signalling using cells loaded with the calcium dye, Fura‐2.

KEY RESULTS Sigma‐1 receptor antagonists, but not agonists, show GTP‐ and suramin‐sensitive high‐affinity binding. Functional responses (calcium signalling and metabolic activity), while associated with sigma‐1 receptor binding, required binding to an unidentified, low‐affinity target.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Sigma‐1 receptors are coupled to G proteins. This interaction is only observed when analysing antagonist binding. The identity of the G protein remains to be resolved. The concept of agonist and antagonist at the sigma‐1 receptor needs to be revisited.
Defining protein kinase/phosphatase isoenzymic regulation of mGlu5 receptor‐stimulated phospholipase C and Ca2+ responses in astrocytes
Authors: Bradley SJ , Challiss RAJ
Published: April 2011

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Cyclical phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of a key residue within the C‐terminal domain of the activated type 5 metabotropic glutamate (mGlu5) receptor is believed to cause the synchronous, oscillatory changes in inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate and Ca2+ levels observed in a variety of cell types. Here, we have attempted to better define the kinase and phosphatase enzymes involved in this modulation.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Ca2+ and [3H]inositol phosphate ([3H]IPx) measurements in astrocyte preparations have been used to evaluate the effects of pharmacological inhibition of protein kinase C (PKC) and protein phosphatase activities and small interfering RNA‐mediated specific PKC isoenzymic knock‐down on mGlu5 receptor signalling.

KEY RESULTS Ca2+ oscillation frequency or [3H]IPx accumulation in astrocytes stimulated by mGlu5 receptors, was concentration‐dependently decreased by protein phosphatase‐1/2A inhibition or by PKC activation. PKC inhibition also increased [3H]IPx accumulation two‐ to threefold and changed the Ca2+ response into a peak‐plateau response. However, selective inhibition of conventional PKC isoenzymes or preventing changes in [Ca2+]i concentration by BAPTA‐AM loading was without effect on mGlu5 receptor‐stimulated [3H]IPx accumulation. Selective knock‐down of PKCδ was without effect on glutamate‐stimulated Ca2+ responses; however, selective PKCε knock‐down in astrocytes changed Ca2+ responses from oscillatory into peak‐plateau type.

CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS These data confirm the acute regulation of mGlu5 receptor signalling by protein kinases and protein phosphatases and provide novel data pinpointing the isoenzymic dependence of this regulation in the native mGlu5 receptor‐expressing rat cortical astrocyte. These data also highlight a potential alternative mechanism by which mGlu5 receptor signalling might be therapeutically manipulated.
Empowerment and Commitment Perceptions of Community/Public Health Nurses and Their Tenure Intention
Authors: Royer Linda
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACT Objective: A descriptive, nonexperimental study of community/public health nurses' (C/PHN) perceptions of their work and their workplace was conducted for the purpose of identifying factors that may affect tenure intention and, by extension, health care delivery, at a time when nursing workforce capacity is in crisis, a subject not studied well among the C/PHN workforce. It was thought that findings would potentially contribute to decisions about curriculum development, hiring practices, and work design by nurse educators, leaders, and administrators. Spreitzer's Theory of Structural and Psychological Empowerment and Meyer and Allen's Commitment theory were utilized together as a framework.

Design and Sample: A paper‐pen survey was mailed to 688 C/PHNs in 10 states seeking national accreditation serving in community‐oriented and population‐focused roles and selected randomly in local health departments with a census of 10 or more eligible nurses. The return of 478 completed surveys yielded a response rate of 76%.

Measures: Data were examined with descriptive statistics, correlation, and multiple logistic regression methods.

Results: Results revealed 1/3 of C/PHNs were in some way considering leaving the job in spite of significant relationships among empowerment factors and between empowerment and commitment factors.

Conclusions: These data beg for a clearer understanding of C/PHNs' perceptions of empowerment and the reasons for intent to leave.
Cluster Analysis Identifies Subpopulations for Health Promotion Campaign Design
Authors: Mackert Michael , Walker Lorraine O.
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACT While health communication campaigns have been effective in addressing a variety of health concerns, even broadly successful campaigns can miss particular subpopulations. The statistical technique of cluster analysis, which makes it possible to group individuals based on sets of identifying variables, is a statistical method that could prove useful in the design of more effective communication campaigns. This paper illustrates the use of cluster analysis to group women based on their (1) prepregnancy weight, (2) weight gain during pregnancy, and (3) weight retention after giving birth as it relates to the process of targeting subpopulations and developing more effective health communication campaigns and interventions. The implications of cluster analysis, from guiding additional formative research to development of health communication strategies, are discussed.
The Value of Enterprise Risk Management
Authors: Hoyt Robert E. , Liebenberg Andre P.
Published: April 2011

Abstract

Enterprise risk management (ERM) has been the topic of increased media attention in recent years. The objective of this study is to measure the extent to which specific firms have implemented ERM programs and, then, to assess the value implications of these programs. We focus our attention in this study on U.S. insurers in order to control for differences that might arise from regulatory and market differences across industries. We simultaneously model the determinants of ERM and the effect of ERM on firm value. We estimate the effect of ERM on Tobin's Q, a standard proxy for firm value. We find a positive relation between firm value and the use of ERM. The ERM premium of roughly 20 percent is statistically and economically significant.
The folliculostatins of two dipteran insect species, their relation to matrix proteins and prospects for practical applications
Authors: de Loof Arnold , Bylemans Dany , Schoofs Liliane , Janssen Ine , Huybrechts Roger
Published: April 2011

The first insect folliculostatic peptide was isolated from vitellogenic ovaries of the mosquito Aedes aegypti. This decapeptide directly inhibits trypsin biosynthesis in the gut, and indirectly ovarian development. The factor was named Trypsin Modulating Oostatic Factor or TMOF by its discoverers. From the fleshfly Neobellieria bullata 2 folliculostatins have been isolated, the hexapeptide Neb‐TMOF and the 19‐mer Neb‐colloostatin. The available data suggest that at least 2 of the 3 folliculostatins originate from matrix (like) proteins present in the ovary, a hitherto unknown source of hormones. Furthermore, one of the folliculostatins (Neb‐TMOF) is a potent inhibitor of ecdysone biosynthesis by larval ring glands of fleshflies. The discovery of the dipteran folliculostatins, which do not show any resemblance to inhibins of vertebrates, may significantly contribute to a better understanding of the hormonal control of growth in insects and, perhaps, in other animals as well. None of the 3 folliculostatins is blocked at its N‐ or C‐terminus. This, in combination with the pleiotropy of their effects and the narrow species specificity make such peptides prime candidates for testing their potential in insect pest control by means of molecular biological methods.
Inter‐ and intraspecific variation in infectivity of Steinernema spp. to larvae of the mushroom fly Lycoriella solani
Authors: Hay D. B. , Richardson P. N.
Published: April 2011

Laboratory bioassays were done to assess the susceptibility of larvae of the mushroom sciarid fly Lycoriella solani Winnertz (Diptera; Sciaridae) to 16 isolates comprising five species of the entomopathogenic nematode, Steinernema (Nematoda; Steinernematidae). Each isolate was tested by challenging sciarid larvae with single nematodes. Six isolates were also tested in dose‐response experiments. Variations in nematode infectivity occurred (p < 0.001) at both inter‐ and intraspecific levels. Steinernema feltiae (Filipjev) was the most virulent species: two isolates, Nemasys (LD50 = 1.5–3.9) and Sus 94 (1.8–3.9) were superior to the rest. Steinernema kraussei (Steiner) was the least infectious nematode tested as its infection probability never exceeded 0.10. In addition, lethal dose50 values for this species ranged from 9.0–62.6 and two isolates failed consistently to infect any hosts.
Olfactory antennal responses to plant volatiles in apterous virginoparae of the vetch aphid Megoura viciae
Authors: Visser J. H. , Piron P. G. M.
Published: April 2011

Electroantennogram (EAG) responses were recorded from apterous virginoparae of the vetch aphid Megoura viciae Buckton (Homoptera, Aphididae) to more than eighty volatile compounds in order to investigate its sensory ability to perceive plant odours. The response profile of M. viciae reveals a differential sensitivity for the array of plant volatiles tested. The whole group of general green leaf volatiles is very stimulatory. In addition to (E)‐2‐hexenal, the following compounds of this group elicit large EAG responses: (E)‐2‐heptenal, 1‐octenol‐3, hexyl acetate, (Z)‐3‐hexenyl acetate, hexanol‐1, hexanal, 2‐heptanone and 3‐octanone. Relatively large EAGs are also produced by 4‐methoxybenzaldehyde (p‐anisaldehyde), hexanonitrile, heptanonitrile, 1, 6‐hexanedithiol, butyl isothiocyanate, 4‐pentenyl isothiocyanate, (‐)‐(1S)‐β‐pinene, (+)‐(S)‐carvone, (‐)‐(R)‐carvone, α‐terpineol, linalool and citronellal. The nitriles are the most effective of all plant volatiles tested. Structure‐activity relationships occur in various groups of chemicals and members of the green leaf volatiles, benzaldehydes, isothiocyanates and monoterpenes are ranked accordingly. In the group of green leaf volatiles, aliphatic aldehydes are more stimulating than the corresponding alcohols. EAG responses to series of saturated aliphatic alcohols and aldehydes reveal that C6 and C7 compounds are the most stimulatory. Dose‐response curves show that the rank order of EAG response amplitudes hardly changes at lower dosages. It is concluded that M. viciae perceives general plant volatiles as well as more‐specific components, such as nitriles and isothiocyanates, associated with the odour blends of non‐host plant species.
Measuring host finding capacity and arrestment of natural enemies of the cassava mealybug, Phenacoccus manihoti, in the field
Authors: Neuenschwander P. , Ajuonu O.
Published: April 2011

In uninfested fields, 80 cassava tips were artificially infested with 0, 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, or 64 third instars, and 20 or 100 eggs of cassava mealybug, Phenacoccus manihoti Matile‐Ferrero (Hom., Pseudococcidae). Another 80 uninfested tips served as a control. Tips were arranged in a circle of 28 m diameter, in the centre of which the following exotic natural enemies of P. manihoti were released: Apoanagyrus (Epidinocarsis) lopezi De Santis and A. diversicornis (Howard) (Hym., Encyrtidae), Hyperaspis notata (Mulsant) and Diomus hennesseyi Fürsch (Col., Coccinellidae), and others. This experiment was repeated six times. During the 4–14 days following release, all experimental tips were inspected at two‐hour intervals during each day and the presence of exotic as well as indigenous natural enemies, like Exochomus troberti Mulsant (Col., Coccinellidae), ants and spiders was noted. The experiment was repeated six times measured the aggregative response by the natural enemies to different host densities, achieved through host attractance and arrestment.

All exotic natural enemies, except the males of Apoanagyrus spp., were fast attracted to the host colonies. As compared to the control tips, they concentrated on the infested tips about 50‐fold for the two Apoanagyrus spp. and 10 to 20‐fold for the exotic coccinellids. By contrast, non‐coevolved indigenous coccinellids, as well as generalist predators like ants and spiders were attracted to the infested tips only 2 to 5‐fold. A. lopezi responded best to different host densities, followed by A. diversicornis and the coccinellids, followed by ants and spiders. None of the parasitoids or predators was particularly attracted to egg masses. These results correspond closely to the known efficiencies of these natural enemies, A. lopezi standing out among all candidates. The results of such aggregation studies are compared with those of life‐table studies.
Gestational weight gain as a predictor of birth and placenta weight according to pre‐pregnancy body mass index
Authors: Zhou Weijin , Olsen Jørn
Published: April 2011

Objective. To study the association between gestational weight gain and different birth weight indicators considering the pre‐pregnancy body mass index. It was hypothesized that a high body mass index (BMI) would modify the effect of gestational weight gain and support the advice of keeping gestational weight gain at a moderate level in case of obesity.

Study design. A follow‐up study of consecutively recruited women in two well defined geographical areas in Denmark. The recruitment lasted from 1984 to 1987 and 11,850 pregnant women and newborns were included in the study. The remaining analyses were restricted to non‐diabetic women who gave birth between weeks 37 and 42 of gestation for whom weight gain was reported – altogether 7,122 women.

Results. Birth and placenta weight were associated with gestational weight gain but with lower regression coefficients at higher BMI. The proportion of newborns with a birth weight of 4,500 grams or more increased with increasing gestational weight gain, especially in women with a BMI above 26.

Conclusion. The potential benefit of a high gestational weight gain in obese patients should be balanced by the higher risk of giving birth to babies with a birth weight of more than 4,500 grams and the risk of exaggerating a pre‐existing state of obesity.
Neonatal herpes in Denmark 1977–1991
Authors: Fonnest Gert , Fonnest Isabel de la Fuente , Weber Tom
Published: April 2011

Background. To prevent neonatal herpes, women in labor with genital herpes infection are still delivered by Cesarean section. This policy is currently being debated. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of neonatal herpes in Denmark and to evaluate the prevention practice.

Methods. All newborns with perinatal herpes in Denmark 1977–1991 were identified from hospital‐records.

Results. Of 862,298 deliveries 136 possible cases were found but only 30 (22%) fulfilled the criteria for neonatal herpes.

The incidence increased from 2.36 to 4.56 per 100,000 live births during 1977–1984 through 1984–1991. Three mothers (10%) had recurrent herpes at delivery, three (10%) had primary herpes, and five (17%) had oral herpes. Seven infants (23%) were delivered by Cesarean section. Nine (30%) only had cutaneous herpes, four (13%) had CNS herpes, nine (30%) had disseminated disease. Six (20%) did not have any sequelae. Four (13%) died. Six (20%) had serious neurological sequelae. Seven (23%) only had cutaneous recurrences. In seven cases (23%) information was insufficient.

Conclusions. During a 15 year period in Denmark only one neonate had serious sequelae following a recognized maternal herpes recurrence. Four infants had a serious infection in spite of Cesarean section. This study does not support a policy of Cesarean section in case of maternal recurrent herpes simplex infection at delivery.
High‐dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell support for the treatment of advanced ovarian cancer — initial experience in Uppsala and Turku
Authors: Grenman Seija , Tholander Bengt , Remes Kari , Kauppila Marjut , Rajamäki Allan , Pelliniemi Tarja‐terttu , Rantanen Virpi , Salmi Toivo , Carlsson Kristina , Höglund Martin , ÖBerg Gunnar , Simonson Bengt , Salmi Tuula
Published: April 2011

Background. With current standard‐dose chemotherapy ovarian cancer is a chemosensitive but not chemocurable disease in the majority of cases. The widely used first‐line chemotherapy including a platinum analogue combined with cyclophosphamide results in response rates of 60–80%. However, only 10–20% of patients with advanced disease are alive 5 years after the diagnosis. The efficacy of high‐dose chemotherapy supported by autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is currently under intensive investigation.

Methods. We report here our initial experiences of the use of high‐dose chemotherapy supported by ASCT for patients with high‐risk ovarian cancer. Two patients were treated at Uppsala University Hospital in 1992 and four patients at Turku University Central Hospital in 1994.

Results. The first four patients treated either after heavy previous chemotherapy or recurrent disease relapsed within 5–10 months. Two patients received high‐dose therapy as part of firstline treatment. One of them had a relapse 18 months after therapy, the other one has been disease free for 28 months. No toxic deaths occurred, but the patients had neutropenic febrile episodes and moderate to severe gastrointestinal toxicity.

Conclusions. Coordinated efforts in Nordic countries are indicated to evaluate the usefulness of high‐dose therapy supported by ASCT in the treatment of advanced ovarian cancer.