bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Common community acquired infections and subsequent risk of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia
Authors: Anderson Lesley A. , Landgren Ola , Engels Eric A.
Published: September 2009

Emerging evidence supports a role for immune‐related factors in the causation of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). Using the population‐based U.S. Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results‐Medicare database, 10 171 elderly CLL patients and 122 531 frequency‐matched controls were identified in order to evaluate several community acquired infections associated with subsequent CLL risk. Odds ratios (ORs) were adjusted for gender, age, race, calendar year and number of physician claims. CLL risk was increased following Medicare claims for sinusitis (OR = 1·11; 95% CI = 1·05–1·17), pharyngitis (OR = 1·15; 1·08–1·22), bronchitis (OR = 1·14; 1·08–1·19), pneumonia (OR = 1·17; 1·11–1·24), influenza (OR = 1·10; 1·01–1·19), cellulitis (OR = 1·08; 1·02–1·14) and herpes zoster (OR = 1·26; 1·15–1·37). Associations with pneumonia and cellulitis remained significant when the 5‐year period before diagnosis/control selection was excluded. CLL risk increased with increasing severity/frequency of pneumonia (P = 0·005), cellulitis (P < 0·001) and herpes zoster (P < 0·001). Our findings suggest that common infections may play a role in CLL aetiology. Alternatively, the associations might reflect an underlying immune disturbance present several years prior to CLL diagnosis.
Multiple isoforms of PAX5 are expressed in both lymphomas and normal B‐cells
Authors: Arseneau Jean‐René , Laflamme Mark , Lewis Stephen M. , Maïcas Emmanuel , Ouellette Rodney J.
Published: September 2009

The transcription factor Pax5 plays a critical role in B cell development. It has been shown that alternative splicing of its gene (PAX5) produces several distinct transcripts that modify the amino acid sequence of the putative Pax5 proteins. Subsequent studies have attempted to correlate the expression of PAX5 isoforms with certain B‐cell lymphomas, the conclusions of which suggest that altered isoform expression is involved in lymphomagenesis. However, in the absence of definitive data for PAX5 isoform expression patterns in normal B cells it is difficult to confirm whether aberrant isoform expression can indeed be correlated with disease. Using a high‐resolution method of analysis of reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction products, we sought to analyse the expression of the different PAX5 isoforms in normal B‐cells as well as a number of B‐cell lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia cases. It was found that multiple PAX5 isoforms were expressed in both normal and malignant B cells. Immunodetection and polysomal RNA analyses also confirmed that the different PAX5 mRNAs were translated into their corresponding proteins. No consistent deregulation of PAX5 isoform expression was observed in B‐cell lymphomas, but rather, complex isoform expression patterns were found in normal B cell as well as B‐cell lymphoma and CLL cases.
Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids ameliorate the severity of ileitis in the senescence accelerated mice (SAM)P1/Yit mice model
Authors: Matsunaga H , Hokari R , Kurihara C , Okada Y , Takebayashi K , Okudaira K , Watanabe C , Komoto S , Nakamura M , Tsuzuki Y , Kawaguchi A , Nagao S , Miura S
Published: September 2009

Clinical studies using omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω3-PUFA) to Crohn's disease (CD) are conflicting. Beneficial effects of dietary ω3-PUFA intake in various experimental inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) models have been reported. However, animal models of large intestinal inflammation have been used in all previous studies, and the effect of ω3 fat in an animal model of small intestinal inflammation has not been reported. We hypothesized that the effects of ω3 fat are different between large and small intestine. The aim of this study was to determine whether the direct effect of ω3 fat is beneficial for small intestinal inflammation. Senescence accelerated mice (SAM)P1/Yit mice showed remarkable inflammation of the terminal ileum spontaneously. The numbers of F4/80-positive monocyte–macrophage cells as well as β7-integrin-positive lymphocytes in the intestinal mucosa were increased significantly compared with those in the control mice (AKR-J mice). The area of mucosal addressin cell adhesion molecule-1 (MAdCAM-1)-positive vessels was also increased. The degree of expression levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), interleukin (IL)-6 and interferon (IFN)-γ mRNA were increased significantly compared with those in the control mice. The feeding of two different kinds of ω3 fat (fish-oil-rich and perilla-oil-rich diets) for 16 weeks to SAMP1/Yit mice ameliorated inflammation of the terminal ileum significantly. In both the ω3-fat-rich diet groups, enhanced infiltration of F4/80-positive monocytes/macrophages in intestinal mucosa of SAMP1/Yit mice cells and the increased levels of MCP-1, IL-6 and IFN-γ mRNA expression were ameliorated significantly compared with those in the control diet group. The results suggest that ω3 fat is beneficial for small intestinal inflammation by inhibition of monocyte recruitment to inflamed intestinal mucosa.
Spatial scale and the diversity of macroinvertebrates in a Neotropical catchment
Authors: LIGEIRO RAPHAEL , MELO ADRIANO S. , CALLISTO MARCOS
Published: September 2009

1. Lotic ecosystems can be studied on several spatial scales, and usually show high heterogeneity at all of them in terms of biological and environmental characteristics. Understanding and predicting the taxonomic composition of biological communities is challenging and compounded by the problem of scale. Additive diversity partitioning is a tool that can show the diversity that occurs at different scales.

2. We evaluated the spatial distribution of benthic macroinvertebrates in a tropical headwater catchment (S.E. Brazil) during the dry season and compared alpha and beta diversities at the scales of stream segments, reaches, riffles and microhabitats (substratum types: gravels, stones and leaf litter). We used family richness as our estimate of diversity. Sampling was hierarchical, and included three stream segments, two stream reaches per segment, three riffles per reach, three microhabitats per riffle and three Surber sample units per microhabitat.

3. Classification analysis of the 53 families found revealed groups formed in terms of stream segment and microhabitat, but not in terms of stream reaches and riffles. Separate partition analyses for each microhabitat showed that litter supported lower alpha diversity (28%) than did stones (36%) or gravel (42%). In all cases, alpha diversity at the microhabitat scale was lower than expected under a null model that assumed no aggregation of the fauna.

4. Beta diversity among patches of the microhabitats in riffles depended on substratum type. It was lower than expected in litter, similar in stone and higher in gravel. Beta diversities among riffles and among reaches were as expected under the null model. On the other hand, beta diversity observed was higher than expected at the scale of stream segments for all microhabitat types.

5.  We conclude that efficient diversity inventories should concentrate sampling in different microhabitats and stream sites. In the present study, sampling restricted to stream segments and substratum types (i.e. excluding riffles and stream reaches) would produce around 75% of all observed families using 17% of the sampling effort employed. This finding indicates that intensive sampling (many riffles and reaches) in few stream segments does not result in efficient assessment of diversity in a region.
Regionalisation of chemical variability in European mountain lakes
Authors: CAMARERO LLUÍS , ROGORA MICHELA , MOSELLO ROSARIO , ANDERSON NICHOLAS J. , BARBIERI ALBERTO , BOTEV IVAN , KERNAN MARTIN , KOPÁČEK JIŘÍ , KORHOLA ATTE , LOTTER ANDRÉ F. , MURI GREGOR , POSTOLACHE CARMEN , STUCHLÍK EVŽEN , THIES HANSJÖRG , WRIGHT RICHARD F.
Published: September 2009

1. We carried out a coordinated survey of mountain lakes covering the main ranges across Europe (including Greenland), sampling 379 lakes above the local tree line in 2000. The objectives were to identify the main sources of chemical variability in mountain lakes, define a chemical classification of lakes, and develop tools to extrapolate our results to regional lake populations through an empirical regionalisation or upscaling of chemical properties.

2. We investigated the main causes of chemical variability using factor analysis (FA) and empirical relationships between chemistry and several environmental variables. Weathering, sea salt inputs, atmospheric deposition of N and S, and biological activity in soils of the catchment were identified as the major drivers of lake chemistry.

3. We tested discriminant analysis (DA) to predict the lake chemistry. It was possible to use the lithology of the catchments to predict the range of Ca2+ and SO42− into which a lake of unknown chemistry will decrease. Lakes with lower SO42− concentrations have little geologically derived S, and better reflect the variations in atmospheric S loading. The influence of marine aerosols on lakewater chemistry could also be predicted from the minimum distance to the sea and altitude of the lakes.

4. The most remarkable result of FA was to reveal a factor correlated to DOC (positively) and NO3− (negatively). This inverse relationship might be the result either of independent processes active in the catchment soils and acting in an opposite sense, or a direct interaction, e.g. limitation of denitrification by DOC availability. Such a relationship has been reported in the recent literature in many sites and at all scales, appearing to be a global pattern that could reflect the link between the C and N cycles.

5. The concentration of NO3− is determined by both atmospheric N deposition and the processing capacity of the catchments (i.e. N uptake by plants and soil microbes). The fraction of the variability in NO3− because of atmospheric deposition is captured by an independent factor in the FA. This is the only factor showing a clear pattern when mapped over Europe, indicating lower N deposition in the northernmost areas.

6. A classification has been derived which takes into account all the major chemical features of the mountain lakes in Europe. FA provided the criteria to establish the most important factors influencing lake water chemistry, define classes within them, and classify the surveyed lakes into each class. DA can be used as a tool to scale up the classification to unsurveyed lakes, regarding sensitivity to acidification, marine influence and sources of S.
Oral Streptococcus species in pre‐term and full‐term children – a longitudinal study
Authors: KIM SEOW W. , LAM JANICE H. C. , TSANG ANNETTA K. L. , HOLCOMBE TREVOR , BIRD PHILIP S.
Published: September 2009

Background.  Despite high clinical significance, the microbiology of the dental biofilm in young children remains poorly understood.

Aim.  The aim of this longitudinal study was to investigate five Streptoccocus species commonly found in the oral biofilm of children, namely Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sobrinus, Streptococcus mitis, Streptococcus sanguinis, and Streptococcus salivarius to determine their relative numbers in caries‐free pre‐term children, and age‐matched full‐term controls.

Design.  Plaque and saliva samples were obtained from 15 pre‐term children and 15 age‐matched controls at ages 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. A quantitative real‐time PCR technique was used to determine the numbers of five species of Streptococcus using probes and primers specific for each bacterial species.

Results.  All species of Streptococcus generally increased from ages 3 to 24 months. The relative ratios of the bacteria remained fairly constant at all ages studied (P > 0.1). There were no significant differences in numbers of all Streptococcus species between pre‐term children and full‐term controls at all the ages investigated between.

Conclusion.  The results show that the relative numbers of S. mutans, S. sobrinus, S. mitis, S. sanguinis, and S. salivarius remain relatively constant from 3 to 24 months of age in caries‐free pre‐ and full‐term children.
Oral health status in a group of children and adolescents with myotonic dystrophy type 1 over a 4‐year period
Authors: ENGVALL MONICA , SJÖGREEN LOTTA , KJELLBERG HEIDRUN , ROBERTSON AGNETA , SUNDELL STEN , KILIARIDIS STAVROS
Published: September 2009

Aim. The aim of this longitudinal study was to evaluate changes in oral health, orofacial function, and dental care in children with myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) in comparison with a control group.

Methods. Thirty‐six DM1 patients and 33 control patients out of originally 37 in each group were examined on two occasions about 4 years apart. Caries, plaque, and gingivitis were registered, mouth opening capacity assessed and the ability to cooperate in dental treatment estimated. Questionnaires concerning different aspects of oral health and care, symptoms of temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD), and dental trauma were also used.

Results. The DM1‐patients, in particular the boys, had significantly more caries, plaque, and gingivitis than the control patients on both occasions and the increase in decayed missing or filled permanent teeth (DMFT) and surfaces (DMFS) was significantly larger. They received more dental care and had lower cooperation ability. Mouth opening capacity and increase of it was significantly lower and symptoms of TMD were significantly more frequent.

Conclusions. DM1 patients, as they grow older, have increasing amounts of plaque and risk of caries and gingivitis. They have more TMD problems. Behaviour management problems do not seem to decrease with age. Increased prophylactic care is essential for DM1 patients.
Everyday‐ and dental‐pain experiences in healthy Swedish 8–19 year olds: an epidemiological study
Authors: KREKMANOVA LARISA , BERGIUS MARIANNE , ROBERTSON AGNETA , SABEL NINA , HAFSTRÖM CAROLINE , KLINGBERG GUNILLA , BERGGREN ULF
Published: September 2009

Background. Very little is known about children’s everyday pains and dental treatment pains. A child’s gender, age, and level of dental anxiety are factors that could interplay with the perception of pain and are thus worth studying.

Aim. The objectives of this study were to investigate the frequency and reported intensity levels of children’s everyday‐ and dental‐pain experiences, and to study the reported pains in relation to gender, age, and dental anxiety.

Design. Three hundred and sixty‐eight consecutive patients (8–19 years, mean age 13.5 years) from three different Public Dental Service were recruited. Pain ratings were obtained using McGrath’s Children’s Pain Inventory list and some additional items. Dental anxiety was estimated by the Dental Anxiety Scale.

Results. Most frequently experienced everyday pains were headache and tummy/stomach ache. Among dental treatment events, dental injection was reported to be most often ranked as painful, and more frequently by girls. Both dental and everyday pains were rated higher grouping children with high dental anxiety.

Conclusions. The frequency of pain experiences are the same in Swedish children as in other populations. There is a relation between dental anxiety and the perception of pain.
Do maternal factors influence the dental health status of Nigerian pre‐school children?
Authors: ABIOLA ADENIYI A. , EYITOPE OGUNBODEDE O. , SONNY JEBODA O. , MORENIKE FOLAYAN O.
Published: September 2009

Objective.  This study was designed to investigate the relationship between maternal related factors and the dental health status of pre‐school children in Lagos State, Nigeria.

Methods.  A cross‐sectional study of 404 pairs of mothers and their pre‐school children was conducted at two selected primary health centres in Lagos State Nigeria. An interviewer administered questionnaire recorded the mother’s socio‐demographic characteristics and assessed her perception of her child’s dental needs, attitude to oral disease prevention, level of dental health knowledge and attitude to oral health. The child’s dental status was assessed using the dft index (caries status) and the simplified oral hygiene index. Data analysis tools included Spearman’s correlation coefficient and multivariate logistic regression.

Results.  Maternal age, maternal education, location of residence, maternal knowledge, and attitudes were all positively correlated with the child’s caries and oral hygiene status. There were statistically significant correlations between maternal attitude and the oral hygiene index (P = 0.01) and dft score (P = 0.001). Maternal age also had a significant relationship with the child’s caries status (P = 0.003).

Conclusion.  This study concluded that maternal age and attitude were important determinants of caries experience whereas the mother’s attitude was an important determinant of oral cleanliness in pre‐school children in Lagos State Nigeria.
Animal disturbances promote shrub maintenance in a desertified grassland
Authors: Eldridge David J. , Whitford Walter G. , Duval Benjamin D.
Published: September 2009

1. Soil disturbance by animals affects the availability of water, nutrients, sediment and seeds, which are critical for the maintenance of functional ecosystems. We examined long‐lived faunal structures across six vegetation communities in the northern Chihuahuan desert of New Mexico, USA, testing the proposition that disturbances in undesertified grassland differ in magnitude and effect from those in desertified grassland.

2. Vertebrate and invertebrate disturbances totalled 18.9 structures ha−1across 18 sites. The most common were pits and mounds of American badgers (Taxidea taxus,32%), nests of the antAphaenogaster cockerelli(18.8%) and mounds of kangaroo rats (Dipodomys spectabilis, 31%).

3. Desertification was associated with a doubling of the density of structures, but no effects on cover or volume. The greatest density was in desertified mesquite and creosote bush shrublands, and the lowest density in undesertified grass swales. Badger and wood rat (Neotomasp.) mounds were significant indicators of desertified communities.

4. Desertification did not affect the density of kangaroo rat mounds (6.7 ha−1in black grama grasslands and creosote bush shrublands). However, mounds in creosote bush shrubland were smaller and had more and larger shrubs than adjacent inter‐mound hummocks. Desertification was associated with increases in the density ofAphaenogaster cockerelliandTrachymyrmex smithiinests, and declines inPogonomyrmex rugosusnests. Substantial increases in soil nitrate and electrical conductivity onMyrmecocystusnests were associated with desertification.

5. Synthesis. Desertification shaped this desert environment in two main ways. First, while kangaroo rat mound density changed little with desertification, mounds in shrubland continued to enhance shrub persistence long after abandonment, reinforcing desertification processes. Second, marked changes in the density of nests of the key ant species altered the spatial distribution of soil nitrate and electrical conductivity, likely affecting soil fertility and the distribution of desert plants. Our results highlight the importance of animal activity in shaping desert plant communities, and in maintaining or reinforcing desertification processes.
Parasite–grass–forb interactions and rock–paper– scissor dynamics: predicting the effects of the parasitic plant Rhinanthus minor on host plant communities
Authors: Cameron Duncan D. , White Andy , Antonovics Janis
Published: September 2009

1. Parasitic plants affect the growth, reproduction and metabolism of their hosts and may also influence the outcome of competitive interactions between host species and, consequently, the structure of entire host communities.

2. We investigate the effect of the root hemiparasitic plant Rhinanthus minor on plant community dynamics using a spatial theoretical model. The model is parameterized with data from pairwise interaction experiments under two nutrient levels between the hemiparasite and three grass species (Cynosurus cristatus, Festuca rubra and Phleum bertolonii) and three forb species (Leucanthemum vulgare, Plantago lanceolata and Ranunculus acris).

3. Relative interaction coefficients were intransitive, with the dynamics of the system conforming to a rock–paper–scissors game. Stable deterministic dynamics emerge from parameters obtained under low‐nutrient conditions. Under high‐nutrient conditions, the dynamics are unstable, but are stabilized in spatially explicit models. The outcomes are sensitive to initial spatial pattern and frequency.

4. Synthesis. This study supports the idea that hemiparasite populations may form ‘shifting clouds’ in natural populations and explains seemingly unpredictable shifts in host community structure following introduction of hemiparasites. Management of plant communities using hemiparasites needs to take these complex dynamics into account.
Ethnic variation in service utilisation among children with intellectual disability
Authors: Durà‐Vilà G. , Hodes M.
Published: September 2009

Background  This study examined whether service utilisation among children with intellectual disability (ID) varied by ethnic cultural group.

Method  Survey carried out in four special schools in London. Information was provided by school teachers using case files, and 242 children aged 7 to 17 years with mild and moderate ID were identified. Ethnic categories were derived from self‐reported main categories. Service utilisation categorised as use of: child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS), social services, physical health and education services.

Results  Child and adolescent mental health services uptake was lower for South Asians than for White British (P = 0.0487). There were statistically significant differences among ethnic groups for community‐based social services uptake (being the highest for the Black groups and the lowest for South Asians, P = 0.015) and respite care uptake (being the highest for the Black and White European groups and the lowest for South Asians, P = 0.009). In regression analysis family structure predicted CAMHS service utilisation and social service community support. Ethnicity predicted use of respite care.

Conclusions  Significant ethnic differences in service utilisation among children with ID were found for both CAMHS and social service contact. There was particularly low service use for the South Asian group. These differences might arise because of differences in family organisation, as more South Asian children lived in two‐parent families, which may have been better able to provide care than single‐parent families. Other factors such as variation in parental belief systems and variation in psychopathology may be relevant. Implications are discussed.
Crystallographic preferred orientation (CPO) of gypsum measured by electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD)
Authors: HILDYARD R.C. , PRIOR D.J. , MARIANI E. , FAULKNER D.R.
Published: September 2009

An investigation by electron backscatter diffraction on gypsum shows that this technique can be used to study the microstructures and crystallographic preferred orientation of gypsum. Presented here are the methods, verification tests and data obtained from a naturally deformed sample of gypsum‐rich rock. The electron backscatter diffraction data show the sample has a strong crystallographic preferred orientation.
Expression of Circadian Neuropeptides in the Hypothalamus of Adult Mice is Affected by Postnatal Light Experience
Authors: Smith L. , Canal M. M.
Published: September 2009

The suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) of the hypothalamus are the principal pacemaker in mammals, controlling daily, circadian rhythms in physiology and behaviour. Environmental light during development has long‐term effects on circadian behaviour, but it is still unclear what the relevant adaptations within the brain are. In the present study, we examined the manifestation of the circadian rhythm of locomotor activity, and the expression of arginine‐vasopressin (AVP) and vasointestinal polypeptide (VIP) in the SCN of adult mice reared under different light environments during the suckling period, and synchronised to light/dark cycles after weaning. We found that animals reared under constant light had higher amplitude and more stable activity rhythms, together with lower levels of VIP‐ and AVP‐immunostaining in the SCN, compared to mice reared under light/dark cycles or constant darkness. Differences in AVP expression were also found in the paraventricular nucleus and the supraoptic nucleus, two brain areas which receive SCN projections. These results indicate that the postnatal light experience may affect clock function and clock output, and suggest implications for the control of hormonal homeostasis and circadian behaviour.
Interconvertibility of lipid‐ and translocon‐bound forms of the bacterial Tat precursor pre‐SufI
Authors: Bageshwar Umesh K. , Whitaker Neal , Liang Fu‐Cheng , Musser Siegfried M.
Published: September 2009

Signal peptides target protein cargos for secretion from the bacterial cytoplasm. These signal peptides contain a tri‐partite structure consisting of a central hydrophobic domain (h‐domain), and two flanking polar domains. Using a recently developed in vitro transport assay, we report here that a central h‐domain position (C17) of the twin arginine translocation (Tat) substrate pre‐SufI is especially sensitive to amino acid hydrophobicity. The C17I mutant is transported more efficiently than wild type, whereas charged substitutions completely block transport. Transport efficiency is well‐correlated with Tat translocon binding efficiency. The precursor protein also binds to non‐Tat components of the membrane, presumably to the lipids. This lipid‐bound precursor can be chased through the Tat translocons under conditions of high proton motive force. Thus, the non‐Tat bound form of the precursor is a functional intermediate in the transport cycle. This intermediate appears to directly equilibrate with the translocon‐bound form of the precursor.
Anxiety Level Predicts Post‐Conflict Behaviour in Wild Japanese Macaques (Macaca fuscata yakui)
Authors: Majolo Bonaventura , Ventura Raffaella , Koyama Nicola F.
Published: September 2009

Reconciliation (i.e. the post‐conflict exchange of friendly behaviour between former opponents) functions to control for the detrimental effects that aggression may have on social relationships. Studies conducted so far have investigated intra‐individual sources of variation in post‐conflict behaviour, showing that animals have a stronger increase in anxiety and are more likely to reconcile after conflicts with valuable partners, such as kin. Much less attention has been given to how differences between individuals in emotional profiles affect post‐conflict behaviour. Our aim was to analyse whether inter‐individual differences in baseline anxiety levels predicted the magnitude of the increase in anxiety following a conflict and the occurrence of reconciliation. We collected data on two groups of wild Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata yakui). Animals having a higher baseline level of anxiety had a more dramatic anxious response following a conflict while controlling for a series of factors (e.g. relationship quality between opponents). These more anxious animals were also less likely to reconcile than more relaxed individuals. Therefore, more anxious animals face some social costs by being less able to cope with the post‐conflict condition. We propose that differences in anxiety levels may be interpreted as tradeoffs between benefits and costs across conditions. For example, more anxious animals, who are less able to reconcile conflicts, might also be less exploratory and thus face a lower risk to eat unknown, poisonous food.
Decision‐making Processes in Group Departures of Cattle
Authors: Ramseyer Amandine , Thierry Bernard , Boissy Alain , Dumont Bertrand
Published: September 2009

To keep social cohesiveness, group‐living animals have to reach consensus decisions through recruitment processes. This implies that decision‐making depends on the behaviours and social relationships of several group members at different stages of movements. We tested these assumptions in a group of fifteen 18‐mo‐old Charolais heifers (Bos taurus) at pasture, in which two observers continuously videotaped social interactions and group departures after resting periods. These departures were preceded by a phase of preparation characterized by an increase in activity. The number of heifers participating to a movement increased with the number of group members oriented in the direction of the movement before departure. The first moving animal also recruited a higher number of mates when it had a greater number of close neighbours, the first individuals to follow being mainly its preferential partners. Coercive interactions such as pressing behaviours were observed within the 5 min preceding or following departure. After departure, the numbers of walks and restarts of the first two movers were still operative in recruiting others. The frequency of pauses of the first mover was significantly higher when it was not followed, meaning that it adjusted its behaviour to that of other group members. Decision‐making was distributed among group members, with any individual being liable to move first. The behaviour of cows and their spatial distribution before departure, at departure and after departure significantly affected the number of participants in the movement, demonstrating that decision‐making was time‐distributed in the studied cattle group.
Seizing the Opportunity: Subordinate Male Fowl Respond Rapidly to Variation in Social Context
Authors: Wilson David R. , Nelson Ximena J. , Evans Christopher S.
Published: September 2009

Dominance affects mating and reproductive success in many group‐living species. Potential mechanisms include subordinates being inherently less attractive and social constraints imposed by dominant individuals. To test the former possibility, we measured morphology in 45 male fowl, Gallus gallus, prior to group formation. Males were then assigned to social groups (three males and three females in each). None of the measured traits predicted subsequent social status, suggesting that subordinates were not inherently unattractive. We then manipulated social constraints in each group to test if subordinates were socially constrained. We removed either the alpha (experimental) or the gamma male (control) for 40 min and observed the effect on the beta male’s reproductive behavior. Controls accounted for putative group size and disturbance effects, and ensured that the only difference between treatments was the relative dominance of the remaining male. In each trial, we measured the beta male’s courtship effort and his mating success, as well as his proximity to females and to the remaining male. Results show that social context did not affect mating success, but had a significant impact on courtship behavior. Beta males courted significantly more often when they had exclusive access to a female, as opposed to when another male was nearby. Furthermore, their courtship effort was higher if the nearby male was a fellow subordinate, as opposed to the dominant male. We conclude that both the proximity and social status of nearby males affects, either directly or indirectly, the courtship efforts of subordinate male fowl.
High‐riding superior pericardial recess: A pitfall in the upper mediastinum
Authors: STEINKE Karin , POTGIETER Gerhardus J.
Published: September 2009

The high‐riding superior pericardial recess is an anatomical entity both radiologists and respiratory physicians should be aware of. Recognition that this high‐riding portion of the recess is of water attenuation, that it connects to the inferior portion of the superior pericardial recess, and that it does not exert mass effect on adjacent structures should help avert misdiagnosis and subsequent inappropriate treatment.
Bronchial anthracostenosis with mediastinal fibrosis associated with long‐term wood‐smoke exposure
Authors: BOONSARNGSUK Viboon , SUWATANAPONGCHED Thitiporn , ROCHANAWUTANON Mana
Published: September 2009

Bronchial anthracostenosis describes a disease entity consisting of bronchial destruction, deformity and stenosis related to dark pigmentation on bronchoscopy in patients with a history of coal workers' pneumoconiosis or chronic exposure to biomass smoke. The combined occurrence of bronchial anthracostenosis and mediastinal fibrosis in association with wood‐smoke exposure has not been previously reported. This case report describes a non‐cigarette smoking elderly woman who developed bronchial anthracostenosis and mediastinal fibrosis after long‐term exposure to wood smoke. Clinical and radiological improvements were achieved after treatment with corticosteroid and tamoxifen. Awareness of this unusual entity will help to avoid misdiagnosis of malignancy or unnecessary thoracotomy.
Clinical significance of non‐diagnostic pathology results from percutaneous transthoracic needle lung biopsy: experience of a tertiary hospital without an on‐site cytopathologist
Authors: MIN Joo‐Won , LEE Sang‐Min , CHUNG Doo Hyun , YIM Jae‐Joon , YANG Seok‐Chul , YOO Chul‐Gyu , KIM Young Whan , HAN Sung Koo , SHIM Young‐Soo , CHUNG Hee Soon
Published: September 2009

Background and objective:  More non‐diagnostic pathology results may be reported following transthoracic needle lung biopsy (TTNB) when no on‐site cytopathologist is available. This study was conducted to analyse the final outcomes in patients with non‐diagnostic pathology results, and the factors related to the adequacy of specimens.

Methods:  The medical records of consecutive patients who had undergone TTNB from January 2004 to January 2005 were retrospectively analysed. Non‐diagnostic pathology results were classified into three groups: (i) atypical cells, (ii) non‐specific inflammation and (iii) inadequate specimen. The final diagnosis and clinical outcome for each patient were analysed after additional diagnostic studies and clinical follow up.

Results:  TTNB was performed on 291 patients. Specimens were adequate in 256 cases. The results were non‐diagnostic for 103 patients, and the percentages of atypical cells, non‐specific inflammation and inadequate specimen were 15.5% (16/103), 50.5% (52/103) and 40% (35/103), respectively. In 14 patients (87.5%) the diagnosis of atypical cells was confirmed, and in 10 (62.5%) these were due to malignancies. In two patients (3.8%) the lesions reported as non‐specific inflammation were eventually confirmed as malignancies. After repeated attempts to confirm their diagnoses, 22 patients (62.9%) with initial reports of inadequate specimen were diagnosed with specific diseases. Specimen adequacy correlated with technical skill, size of the lesion, guidance method and biopsy method.

Conclusions:  Non‐diagnostic pathology results from TTNB, in the absence of an on‐site cytopathologist, are of value in assessing the clinical probability of malignancy and can be useful in the management of lung lesions. However, many other factors should be considered in patients with inadequate specimens.
Differential mRNA expression of Toll‐like receptors and their adaptors in pleural effusions
Authors: CHANG Liang‐Che , HUA Chung‐Ching , CHU Chien‐Ming , CHIANG Bor‐Yiing , CHEN Hung‐Jie , YU Chung‐Chieh
Published: September 2009

Background and objective:  Binding of Toll‐like receptors (TLRs) to microbial or endogenous ligands activates and triggers the associated signalling pathway, which leads to the production of inflammatory cytokines and type I interferons. The extent of TLR pathway activation may vary with the ligands present in different pleural diseases.

Methods:  The relative mRNA expression levels of TLRs and their adaptors in pleural fluid were determined by PCR and gel electrophoresis in 36 transudative, 25 infectious and 39 malignant pleural effusions.

Results:  The relative mRNA expression levels of TLR8 and myeloid differentiation factor 88 were low in infectious effusions and that of ras‐related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 was low in malignant pleural effusions. Different cellular components correlated significantly with the relative mRNA expression of TLRs or their adaptors in pleural effusions with different aetiologies.

Conclusions:  The relative mRNA expression profiles of TLRs and their adaptors in pleural fluid differ among transudative, infectious and malignant pleural effusions.
Adult community‐acquired pneumonia caused by macrolide resistant Mycoplasma pneumoniae
Authors: ISOZUMI Rie , YOSHIMINE Hiroyuki , MOROZUMI Miyuki , UBUKATA Kimiko , ARIYOSHI Koya
Published: September 2009

A 28‐year‐old woman with community‐acquired pneumonia was treated with sulbactam/ampicillin and clarithromycin, but failed to show any improvement after 4 days. The antibiotic regimen was changed to pazufloxacin and rapid clinical improvement was seen. Mycoplasma pneumoniae was identified as the causative agent, and adenine (A) to guanine (G) mutation at position 2063 in domain V of the 23S rRNA was noted in the isolate. The minimum inhibitory concentration of macrolide antibiotics, including clarithromycin, of this isolate was greatly elevated.
IGF‐I maintains calpastatin expression and attenuates apoptosis in several models of photoreceptor cell death
Authors: Arroba Ana I. , Wallace Deborah , Mackey Ashley , De La Rosa Enrique J. , Cotter Thomas G.
Published: September 2009

Retinitis pigmentosa is a heterogeneous group of inherited retinal dystrophies in which the loss of photoreceptor cells via apoptosis leads to blindness. In this study we have experimentally mimicked this condition by treating 661W cells and wild‐type mouse retinal explants with a Ca2+ ionophore. Ca2+ overload induced apoptosis, which was correlated with calpain‐2 activation, loss of calpastatin, its endogenous inhibitor, as well as the loss of its transcriptional activator, phospho‐cAMP response element binding (CREB). All are similar changes to those observed in the rd1 mouse model of retinitis pigmentosa. Insulin like‐growth factor‐I (IGF‐I) attenuated this Ca2+‐induced apoptosis, as well as decreased the activation of calpain‐2 and maintained calpastatin levels through the activation of the Akt‐CREB pathway. Similarly, IGF‐I decreased photoreceptor apoptosis in rd1 mouse retinal explants in parallel with reduced activation of calpain‐2 and increased levels of calpastatin and activation of phospho‐CREB. In conclusion, IGF‐I seems to protect neural cells following a physiopathological or an experimental increase in intracellular Ca2+, an observation that may have therapeutic consequences in neurodegenerative diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa.
Splice‐specific roles of glycine receptor α3 in the hippocampus
Authors: Eichler Sabrina A. , Förstera Benjamin , Smolinsky Birthe , Jüttner René , Lehmann Thomas‐Nicolas , Fähling Michael , Schwarz Günter , Legendre Pascal , Meier Jochen C.
Published: September 2009

Glycine receptor (GlyR) α3 is involved in vision, and processing of acoustic and nociceptive signals, and RNA editing of GLRA3 transcripts was associated with hippocampal pathophysiology of mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). However, neither the role of GlyR α3 splicing in hippocampal neurons nor the expression of splice variants have yet been elucidated. We report here that the long (L) splice variant of GlyR α3 predominates in the brain of rodents. Cellular analysis using primary hippocampal neurons and hippocampus cryosections revealed preferential association of synaptic α3L clusters with glutamatergic nerve endings in strata granulare and pyramidale. In primary hippocampal neurons GlyR α3L clusters also preferred glutamatergic nerve endings while α3K was mainly in a diffuse state. Co‐expression of GlyR β subunit with α3L or α3K produced heteromeric receptor clusters and favoured their association with GABAergic terminals. However, heteromeric α3L was still more efficient than heteromeric α3K in associating with glutamatergic nerve endings. To give physiological relevance to these results we have finally analysed GlyR α3 splicing in human hippocampus obtained from patients with intractable TLE. As up‐regulation of α3K occurred at the expense of α3L in TLE patients with a severe course of disease and a high degree of hippocampal damage, our results again involve post‐transcriptional processing of GLRA3 transcripts in the pathophysiology of TLE.
Pathological characteristics and clinical course of bladder tumour developing after nephroureterectomy
Authors: Abe Takashige , Shinohara Nobuo , Harabayashi Toru , Sazawa Ataru , Akino Tomoshige , Ishikawa Shuhei , Kubota Kanako , Matsuno Yoshihiro , Osawa Takahiro , Shibata Takeshi , Toyoda Yutaka , Shinno Yuichiro , Kamota Shinji , Minami Keita , Sakashita Shigeo , Kumagai Akira , Takada Norikata , Togashi Masaki , Sano Hiroshi , Mori Tatsuya , Nonomura Katsuya
Published: September 2009

Study Type – Therapy (case series) Level of Evidence 4

OBJECTIVES

To determine the pathological features and clinical course of intravesical recurrence after nephroureterectomy (NU) for upper urinary tract (UUT) cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Among 325 patients undergoing NU with bladder cuff excision for UUT cancer, in this retrospective multi‐institutional study we evaluated 113 who developed bladder tumour after NU. Excluding patients with (i) perioperative systemic chemotherapy or radiotherapy for UUT cancer; (ii) a history of previous or synchronous bladder cancer at the time of NU; (iii) distant metastasis at the time of NU; (iv) a follow‐up of <1 year after the initial bladder cancer recurrence; or (v) missing data, 74 patients were included in this study. We compared the pathology between UUT cancer and the first bladder cancer recurrence, using Fisher’s exact test. Further intravesical recurrence and bladder cancer progression was analysed using the Kaplan‐Meier method, with the log‐rank test used to assess significance. A Cox proportional hazard model was used for multivariate analysis.

RESULTS

The grade of the first bladder cancer recurrence strongly correlated with that of the UUT tumour (P < 0.001) and the carcinoma in situ (CIS) lesion with the first bladder cancer recurrence correlated with high grade (grade 3) UUT tumour (P < 0.001). In all, 56 of the assessable 70 patients further developed intravesical recurrence at a median interval of 7 months after the first bladder cancer recurrence. There were no clinicopathological factors that predicted the second recurrence. Progression occurred in 14 patients, at a median interval of 25 months. A CIS lesion with the first bladder cancer recurrence was a risk factor for progression on multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

A large proportion of the patients who developed bladder tumour after NU had further intravesical recurrence, which indicated its refractory nature. Especially when a CIS lesion is detected in the initial intravesical recurrence, a careful follow‐up is mandatory to detect bladder cancer progression.
Acknowledging the Racial State: An Agenda for Environmental Justice Research
Authors: Kurtz Hilda E.
Published: September 2009

Abstract: This paper argues that environmental justice scholars have tended to overlook the significance of the state's role in shaping understandings of race and racism, and argues for the use of critical race theory to deepen insight into the role of the state in both fostering and responding to conditions of racialized environmental injustice. Critical race theory offers insights into both why and how the state manages racial categories in such a way as to produce environmental injustice, and how the state responds to the claims of the environmental justice movement. Closer attention to the interplay between the racial state and the environmental justice movement as a racial social movement will yield important insights into the conditions, processes, institutions and state apparatuses that foster environmental injustice and that delimit the possibilities for achieving environmental justice in some form or another.
Benevolent and Benign? Using Environmental Justice to Investigate Waste‐related Impacts of Ecotourism in Destination Communities
Authors: Meletis Zoë A. , Campbell Lisa M.
Published: September 2009

Abstract: We contribute to the diversification of environmental justice (EJ) by using it to frame ecotourism‐related solid waste management problems. Ecotourism is a service industry portrayed as benevolent (providing benefits), and benign (reducing negative impacts). We propose four characteristics shared by ecotourism‐based communities in the Global South and communities struggling with more conventional EJ conflicts. We apply these characteristics to the solid waste crisis in Tortuguero, Costa Rica, a renowned ecotourism destination. First, we show that, despite their general absences from the EJ literature, service industries such as tourism and hospitality can create environmental injustices that disproportionately impact certain types of communities. Second, we highlight the roles of location and socio‐economic marginality in siting ecotourism development, in complicating related environmental impact management, and in limiting local abilities to respond to environmental management shortcomings. Third, we provide an example of opportunities to introduce EJ concepts and theory into the study of tourism.
Beyond Transparency: Information Overload and a Model for Intelligibility
Authors: LAUD ROBERT L. , SCHEPERS DONALD H.
Published: September 2009

The role and evaluation of the modern corporation is being challenged by multiple stakeholders, changing markets and public expectations. Unfortunately, corporate governance, regulation and accounting have played a prominent role in business failure for the past decade resulting in a growing lack of public confidence in our markets. We present a new model that contributes to improving the quality of corporate information by providing not more, but better information through increased intelligibility of overall information, benefiting both the firm and its broad array of stakeholders. It has become apparent that boards, management and regulators have been unable to cope with the rise of business failures by adding increasing layers of regulation that have often served only to exacerbate the complexity and further cloud the transparency of needed information. We have identified a growing number of forward‐thinking firms that have found alternative means to provide betterinformation and strengthen their companies. We offer a stakeholder‐centric model for improving information intelligibility based upon the extensive scope and variety of external input derived from the growing social movement organizations. With the added focus on intelligibility, these groups can help foster greater corporate responsibility, meaningful transparency, increased stakeholder benefits, and improved overall performance of the firm.
Adolescent Depression
Authors: Hammen Constance
Published: September 2009

High rates of diagnosable depression in adolescence, especially among young women, present challenging clinical and research issues. Depression not only portends current maladjustment but may also signal risk for recurrent or chronic depression and its associated impairment. Because depression is most often a response to stressful events and circumstances, it is important to understand the stress context itself. Individuals with depression histories are known to contribute to the occurrence of interpersonal and other stressors at a high rate, and for young women particularly, the occurrence of interpersonal stressors and conditions in turn predicts recurrences of depression, in a vicious cycle. Interpersonal dysfunction in early adolescence predicts the likelihood of continuing maladaptive functioning in peer, family, romantic, and parenting roles. The transmission of depression from one generation to the next involves not only heritable factors but also the likelihood that depressed youth become caught in life contexts of marital and parenting discord that portend dysfunction for their offspring and continuing depression for themselves.