bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Performance characteristics of a monoclonal antibody cocktail‐based ELISA for detection of allergen‐specific IgE in dogs and comparison with a high affinity IgE receptor‐based ELISA
Authors: Lee Kenneth W. , Blankenship Karen D. , McCurry Zachary M. , Esch Robert E. , DeBoer Douglas J. , Marsella Rosanna
Published: April 2009

The purpose of this study was to define the operational and performance characteristics of a commercially available monoclonal antibody based (mac) ELISA for detection of allergen‐specific IgE in dogs. The average intra‐assay variance over 1 year was 9.7% (range 2.5–62.7%), while the interassay variance averaged 10.8% (range 8.1–13.8%). The average positive control responses observed for grass, weed, tree and mite allergens during each month remained relatively constant; the average monthly variance was 11.6% (range 8.3–19.2%) for grass pollens, 13.3% (range 9.1–20.4%) for weed pollens, 13.3% (range 9.8–18.2%) for tree pollens and 13.6% (range 8.9–18.7%) for mite allergens. The interlaboratory concordance of results for the macELISA was approximately 91%. The interlaboratory concordance of results comparing the macELISA and a high affinity IgE receptor‐based ELISA was approximately 92%. The results demonstrate that the macELISA is reproducible and the results are comparable to the high affinity IgE receptor based ELISA within and between laboratories.
The current and future potential distribution of Cytisus scoparius: a weed of pastoral systems, natural ecosystems and plantation forestry
Authors: POTTER K J B , KRITICOS D J , WATT M S , LERICHE A
Published: April 2009

Cytisus scoparius is a serious weed of pastoral systems, natural ecosystems and plantation forestry, which has become invasive in a number of countries. CLIMEX™ was used to infer the climatic requirements of C. scoparius from its native range, as well as its current range as an exotic in the United States and New Zealand. The parameterised model was used to examine the invasive potential of C. scoparius under current and future climatic conditions, assuming a range of climate‐change scenarios. The modelled global potential distribution of C. scoparius compared favourably with the known distributions, in both the fitted and validation dataset, encompassing almost all temperate and Mediterranean regions. The predicted distribution also included most sub‐tropical regions and extended into continental areas in North America and Europe and savanna regions in Africa. Under current climate, the projected potential distribution exceeded the known distribution. Places most at risk from range expansion include China, Australia, Argentina and North America, as C. scoparius is already present, but has not yet colonised all areas with apparently high climatic suitability. Climate change is likely to lead to a poleward shift in the range of C. scoparius and a contraction of areas of suitable climate for the species in southern Europe, central Africa, Australia, China, Brazil and the southern United States. With climate change, currently uncolonised areas within northern Scandinavia, southern Canada and western regions of the Russian Federation are projected to become climatically suitable.
Invariant natural killer T cells: innate‐like T cells with potent immunomodulatory activities
Authors: Wu L. , Gabriel C. L. , Parekh V. V. , Van Kaer L.
Published: April 2009

Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells are a subset of T lymphocytes that react with glycolipid antigens presented by the major histocompatibility complex class I‐related glycoprotein CD1d. Although iNKT cells express an antigen‐specific receptor of the adaptive immune system, they behave more like cells of the innate immune system. A hallmark of iNKT cells is their capacity to produce copious amounts of immunoregulatory cytokines quickly after activation. The cytokines produced by iNKT cells can influence the level of activation of many cell types of the innate and adaptive immune systems as well as the quality of an adaptive immune response. As such, iNKT cells have emerged as important regulators of immune responses, playing a role in microbial immunity, autoimmunity, tumor immunity, and a variety of inflammatory conditions. Although several endogenous and exogenous glycolipid antigens of iNKT cells have been identified, how these glycolipids orchestrate iNKT‐cell functions remains poorly understood. Nevertheless, iNKT cells hold substantial promise as targets for development of vaccine adjuvants and immunotherapies. These properties of iNKT cells have been investigated most extensively in mouse models of human disease using the marine sponge‐derived agent α‐galactosylceramide (α‐GalCer) and related iNKT‐cell antigens. While these preclinical studies have raised enthusiasm for developing iNKT‐cell‐based immunotherapies, they also showed potential health risks associated with iNKT cell activation. Although α‐GalCer treatment in humans was shown to be safe in the short term, further studies are needed to develop safe and effective iNKT‐cell‐based therapies.
A review of chemical control options for invasive social insects in island ecosystems
Authors: Gentz M. C.
Published: April 2009

Social insects present unique challenges to chemically based management strategies, especially because fast‐acting compounds commonly applied for many pest insects may not be the most effective for colony elimination. The reproductive caste of a colony is the most protected from direct damage by insecticides, and compounds that cause rapid mortality among foragers frequently do not impact the reproductive members or even markedly reduce overall colony size. With recent bans on persistent insecticides that previously have been used to control social insects, especially termites, new compounds must be used. Island and coastal ecosystems are particularly sensitive to the effects of widespread pesticide use and concerns about unintentional water pollution and runoff are common, and international attention is being paid to developing sustainable pesticide options for agricultural and urban pest insects in particularly sensitive environments. Given the precarious status of many native insects and arthropods care must be taken to minimize exposure to potentially harmful insecticides and the non‐target impacts of these chemicals. However, recent developments in the synthesis and discovery of highly selective insecticides with low mammalian and non‐target toxicity provide viable alternatives to the broad‐spectrum persistent organochlorine insecticides that have been largely deregistered. Novel technologies, particularly synthetic analogues of biologically active compounds, yield new chemical control options and management strategies for island and other sensitive ecosystems; case studies from Australia, the Galapagos Islands and New Zealand highlight current challenges and successes.
Paediatric pain assessment: Differences between triage nurse, child and parent
Authors: Rajasagaram Umadevan , Taylor David McD , Braitberg George , Pearsell James P , Capp Bronwyn A
Published: April 2009

Aim:  To compare the severity of paediatric pain as assessed by the triage nurse, child and parent.

Methods:  This was an analytical, observational study undertaken in a tertiary referral emergency department between January and June (inclusive) 2006. A convenience sample of children (aged 3–15 years) with painful conditions was enrolled. The triage nurse, child and parent were asked to assess the child's pain using the Wong–Baker FACES pain rating scale (young children) or a linear numerical pain rating scale (nurse, older children, parent). Each participant was blinded to the assessments of the others.

Results:  Eighty‐six patients were enrolled: 52 (60.5%) male, mean age 9.1 (standard deviation 4.0) years. The median (inter‐quartile range) pain scores recorded by the nurses, parents and children were 4.0 (3.0–6.0), 6.0 (5.0–7.5) and 6.5 (5.0–8.0), respectively. There were significant differences between the pain scores of the three groups (P < 0.001, Kruskal–Wallis test). The nurses' score was significantly lower than both the parents' and the children's scores (P < 0.001, Mann–Whitney U test). There was no significant difference between the parents and children's scores (P = 0.11, Mann–Whitney U test). The nurses scored consistently lowest regardless of the cause of the pain or the child's age or gender.

Conclusion:  Relative to the children and parents, triage nurses assign significantly lower paediatric pain scores. The findings may have important implications for the management of paediatric pain which may need to be based upon the children's or parent's assessment rather than that of the nurse.
RNA silencing in the model mycorrhizal fungus Laccaria bicolor: gene knock‐down of nitrate reductase results in inhibition of symbiosis with Populus
Authors: Kemppainen Minna , Duplessis Sébastien , Martin Francis , Pardo Alejandro G.
Published: April 2009

Mycorrhizal symbioses are a rule in nature and may have been crucial in plant and fungal evolution. Ectomycorrhizas are mutualistic interactions between tree roots and soil fungi typical of temperate and boreal forests. The functional analysis of genes involved in developmental and metabolic processes, such as N nutrition, is important to understand the ontogeny of this mutualistic symbiosis. RNA silencing was accomplished in the model mycorrhizal fungus Laccaria bicolor by Agrobacterium‐mediated gene transfer. Promoter‐directed expression of double‐stranded RNA with a partial coding sequence of the Laccaria nitrate reductase gene resulted in fungal transgenic strains strongly affected in growth with nitrate as N source in a medium with high concentration of an utilizable C source. The phenotype correlated with a clear reduction of the target gene mRNA level and this effect was not caused by homologous recombination of the T‐DNA in the nitrate reductase locus. Transformation with the hairpin sequence resulted in specific CpG methylation of both the silenced transgene and the nitrate reductase encoding gene. The methylation in the target gene was restricted to the silencing trigger sequence and did not represent the entire genomic DNA in the dikaryon suggesting that the epigenetic changes accompanying RNA silencing affected only the transformed nucleus. Mycorrhization experiments of Populus with strongly silenced fungal strains revealed a systematic inhibition of symbiosis under mycorrhization conditions (C starvation) and nitrate as N source compared with the wild type. This inhibition of mycorrhization was reversed by an organic N source only utilizable by the fungus. These observations would indicate that the plant may be capable of monitoring and detecting the nutritional status of a potential symbiont avoiding the establishment of an unsatisfactory interaction. A probable control mechanism conducted by the plant would inhibit symbiosis when the metabolic profile of the fungal partner is not proper and mutual benefit from the symbiotic structure cannot be assured. Our results are the first report showing that the alteration of expression of a fungal gene impairs mycorrhization. Moreover, this work is the first demonstration of RNA silencing in mycorrhizal fungi and clearly shows that gene knock‐down is a powerful tool for further functional genomic studies in mycorrhizal research.
Individual and contextual factors associated with follow‐up use of diabetes self‐management education programmes: a multisite prospective analysis
Authors: Gucciardi E. , DeMelo M. , Booth G. , Tomlinson G. , Stewart D. E.
Published: April 2009

Aims Although a considerable body of research supports the efficacy of diabetes self‐management education (DSME), these programmes are often challenged by high attrition rates. Little is known about factors influencing follow‐up use of DSME services, thus the aim of this study was to identify these factors.

Methods In this multisite prospective analysis, adults with Type 2 diabetes (n = 268) who attended one of two diabetes management centres (DMCs) were followed over a 1‐year period from their initial visit. The influence of individual and contextual factors on the number of contacts with DMC providers was examined. Data were analysed within the context of the Health Behavioral Model of Health Services Utilization.

Results In a multivariable negative binomial regression model, the number of contacts over 1 year was greater for those who were female, non‐smokers, unemployed, self‐referred to the DMC, lived closer to the DMC, had a lower body mass index, or had a longer known duration of diabetes. Follow‐up use of services differed significantly between the two sites. Provider contacts were greater at the centre that offered flexible hours of services and a variety of optional educational modules.

Conclusions Healthcare professionals need to encourage ongoing use of DSME, particularly for individuals prone to lower follow‐up use of these services. Providing services that are accessible, convenient, and can easily fit into patients’ schedules may increase follow‐up use. Further exploration into how operations and delivery of these services influence utilization patterns is strongly recommended.
Hierarchical multiobjective routing in Multiprotocol Label Switching networks with two service classes: a heuristic solution
Authors: Girão‐Silva Rita , Craveirinha José , Clímaco João
Published: April 2009

Modern multiservice network routing functionalities have to deal with multiple, heterogeneous and multifaceted Quality of Service (QoS) requirements. A heuristic approach devised to find “good” solutions to a hierarchical multiobjective alternative routing optimization problem in Multiprotocol Label Switching networks with two service classes (and different types of traffic flows in each class), namely QoS and Best Effort services, formulated within a hierarchical network‐wide optimization framework, is presented. This heuristic solution is based on a bi‐objective constrained shortest path model and is applied to a test network used in a benchmarking case study. An experimental study based on analytic and discrete event simulation results is presented, allowing for an assessment of the quality of results obtained with this new heuristic solution for various traffic matrices. A dynamic version of the routing method is formulated and its performance with the same case study network is analysed.
Combining a dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibitor, alogliptin, with pioglitazone improves glycaemic control, lipid profiles and β‐cell function in db/db mice
Authors: Moritoh Y , Takeuchi K , Asakawa T , Kataoka O , Odaka H
Published: April 2009

Background and purpose:  Alogliptin, a highly selective dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 (DPP‐4) inhibitor, enhances incretin action and pioglitazone enhances hepatic and peripheral insulin actions. Here, we have evaluated the effects of combining these agents in diabetic mice.

Experimental approach:  Effects of short‐term treatment with alogliptin alone (0.01%–0.1% in diet), and chronic combination treatment with alogliptin (0.03% in diet) and pioglitazone (0.0075% in diet) were evaluated in db/db mice exhibiting early stages of diabetes.

Key results:  Alogliptin inhibited plasma DPP‐4 activity up to 84% and increased plasma active glucagon‐like peptide‐1 by 4.4‐ to 4.9‐fold. Unexpectedly, alogliptin alone lacked clear efficacy for improving glucose levels. However, alogliptin in combination with pioglitazone clearly enhanced the effects of pioglitazone alone. After 3–4 weeks of treatment, combination treatment increased plasma insulin by 3.8‐fold, decreased plasma glucagon by 41%, both of which were greater than each drug alone, and increased plasma adiponectin by 2.4‐fold. In addition, combination treatment decreased glycosylated haemoglobin by 2.2%, plasma glucose by 52%, plasma triglycerides by 77% and non‐esterified fatty acids by 48%, all of which were greater than each drug alone. Combination treatment also increased expression of insulin and pancreatic and duodenal homeobox 1 (PDX1), maintained normal β‐cell/α‐cell distribution in islets and restored pancreatic insulin content to levels comparable to non‐diabetic mice.

Conclusions and implications:  These results indicate that combination treatment with alogliptin and pioglitazone at an early stage of diabetes improved metabolic profiles and indices that measure β‐cell function, and maintained islet structure in db/db mice, compared with either alogliptin or pioglitazone monotherapy.
Neuropeptide S selectively inhibits the release of 5‐HT and noradrenaline from mouse frontal cortex nerve endings
Authors: Raiteri L , Luccini E , Romei C , Salvadori S , Calò G
Published: April 2009

Background and purpose: Neuropeptide S (NPS) is a recently identified neurotransmitter/neuromodulator able to increase arousal and wakefulness while decreasing anxiety‐like behaviour. As several classical transmitters play a role in arousal and anxiety, we here investigated the possible presynaptic regulation of transmitter release by NPS.

Experimental approach: Synaptosomes purified from mouse frontal cortex were prelabelled with [3H]5‐hydroxytryptamine (5‐HT), noradrenaline, dopamine, choline, D‐aspartate or GABA and depolarized in superfusion with 12–15 mmol·L−1KCl to evoke [3H]neurotransmitter exocytosis. NPS was added at different concentrations (0.001 to 100 nmol·L−1).

Key results: NPS behaved as an extremely potent inhibitor of the evoked overflow of [3H]5‐HT and [3H]noradrenaline exhibiting EC50values in the low picomolar range. The inhibitory action of NPS on [3H]5‐HT release was mimicked by [Ala2]NPS that was, however, about 100‐fold less potent than the natural peptide. NPS (up to 100 nmol·L−1) was unable to affect the depolarization‐evoked overflow of [3H]D‐aspartate and [3H]GABA. The neuropeptide only weakly reduced the overflow of [3H]dopamine and [3H]ACh when added at relatively high concentrations.

Conclusions and implications: NPS, at low picomolar concentrations, can selectively inhibit the evoked release of 5‐HT and noradrenaline in the frontal cortex by acting directly on 5‐hydroxytryptaminergic and noradrenergic nerve terminals. These direct effects may explain only in part the unique behavioural activities of NPS, while an indirect involvement of other transmitters, especially of glutamate, must be considered.
In Vitro Physiological Responses of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum to Exogenously Applied Syringic Acid
Authors: WU HONG‐SHENG , LUO JIA , LIU YAN‐XIA , CHEN AI‐QUN , TANG ZHU , CAO YUN , CHEN GAO , MAO ZE‐SHENG , HUANG QI‐WEI , SHEN QI‐RONG
Published: April 2009

ABSTRACT. Plant–microbe interactions are often accompanied by allelochemicals, such as syringic acid, released from the host plant. To explore the role of phenolic acids released from crop host plants in response to pathogen invasion, we examined the allelopathic effect of an artificially applied syringic acid on Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum. We demonstrated that the growth and the conidial germination rate of F. oxysporum f. sp. niveum were stimulated at lower concentrations of syringic acid, though inhibited by higher dosage compared with control. The yield of fungus mycotoxin was increased from 60.9% to 561.5%. We conclude that syringic acid can be considered as a allelochemical inducer, stimulating the relative virulence factors of invading pathogens.
Clinical practice recommendations for depression
Authors: Malhi G. S. , Adams D. , Porter R. , Wignall A. , Lampe L. , O’Connor N. , Paton M. , Newton L. A. , Walter G. , Taylor A. , Berk M. , Mulder R. T.
Published: April 2009

Objective: To provide clinically relevant evidence‐based recommendations for the management of depression in adults that are informative, easy to assimilate and facilitate clinical decision making.

Method: A comprehensive literature review of over 500 articles was undertaken using electronic database search engines (e.g. MEDLINE, PsychINFO and Cochrane reviews). In addition articles, book chapters and other literature known to the authors were reviewed. The findings were then formulated into a set of recommendations that were developed by a multidisciplinary team of clinicians who routinely deal with mood disorders. The recommendations then underwent consultative review by a broader advisory panel that included experts in the field, clinical staff and patient representatives.

Results: The clinical practice recommendations for depression (Depression CPR) summarize evidence‐based treatments and provide a synopsis of recommendations relating to each phase of the illness. They are designed for clinical use and have therefore been presented succinctly in an innovative and engaging manner that is clear and informative.

Conclusion: These up‐to‐date recommendations provide an evidence‐based framework that incorporates clinical wisdom and consideration of individual factors in the management of depression. Further, the novel style and practical approach should promote uptake and implementation.
Prevalence of alcohol use disorders in schizophrenia – a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Koskinen J. , Löhönen J. , Koponen H. , Isohanni M. , Miettunen J.
Published: April 2009

Objective:  Our aim was to present recent studies of alcohol use disorders (AUDs) in patients with schizophrenia, estimate overall prevalence and characteristics affecting the prevalence of AUDs.

Method:  We conducted a search using three literature databases and a manual search on articles published in 1996–2008. Meta‐regression was used to study how prevalence is affected by different study characteristics. Articles that reported diagnoses according to DSM or ICD diagnostic systems were included.

Results:  Altogether 60 studies met our criteria. The median of current AUD prevalence was 9.4% (inter‐quartile range, IQR 4.6–19.0, 18 studies) and median of lifetime AUD prevalence 20.6% (IQR 12.0–34.5, 47 studies). In studies using DSM‐III‐R median prevalence was higher than that in studies using DSM‐IV, ICD‐9 or ICD‐10 (32/17/11/6%).

Conclusion:  Approximately every fifth patient with schizophrenia had lifetime AUD diagnosis. When contrasted with the most recent review, there might be a descending trend in AUD prevalence in patients with schizophrenia.
An energetic correlate between colony size and foraging effort in seabirds, an example of the Adélie penguin Pygoscelis adeliae
Authors: Ballance Lisa T. , Ainley David G. , Ballard Grant , Barton Kerry
Published: April 2009

Central‐place foraging seabirds alter the availability of their prey around colonies, forming a “halo” of reduced prey access that ultimately constrains population size. This has been indicated indirectly by an inverse correlation between colony size and reproductive success, numbers of conspecifics at other colonies within foraging range, foraging effort (i.e. trip duration), diet quality and colony growth rate. Although ultimately mediated by density dependence relative to food through intraspecific exploitative or interference competition, the proximate mechanism involved has yet to be elucidated. Herein, we show that Adélie penguin Pygoscelis adeliae colony size positively correlates to foraging trip duration and metabolic rate, that the metabolic rate while foraging may be approaching an energetic ceiling for birds at the largest colonies, and that total energy expended increases with trip duration although uncompensated by increased mass gain. We propose that a competition‐induced reduction in prey availability results in higher energy expenditure for birds foraging in the halo around large colonies, and that to escape the halo a bird must increase its foraging distance. Ultimately, the total energetic cost of a trip determines the maximum successful trip distance, as on longer trips food acquired is used more for self maintenance than for chick provisioning. When the net cost of foraging trips becomes too high, with chicks receiving insufficient food, chick survival suffers and subsequent colony growth is limited. Though the existence of energetic studies of the same species at multiple colonies is rare, because foraging metabolic rate increases with colony size in at least two other seabird species, we suggest that an energetic constraint to colony size may generally apply to other seabirds.
Periodontal health of an adult population in Hungary: findings of a national survey
Authors: Hermann Péter , Gera István , Borbély Judit , Fejérdy Pál , Madléna Melinda
Published: April 2009

Objectives: To estimate the levels of periodontal health conditions of Hungarian adults.

Material and Methods: Periodontal data on 4153 adults in 304 survey locations from all Hungarian regions were analysed. The Community Periodontal Index (CPI) was used to report the occurrence of probing pocket depth, calculus, and gingival inflammation.

Age, gender, socioeconomic and health status, oral hygiene and lifestyle habits, dental office attendance, level of education, and fixed partial denture (FPD) treatment were evaluated for their association with periodontal conditions. CPI score as an outcome was dichotomized using an accepted threshold as low (<3) and high (3, 4) for multiple logistic regression modelling.

Results: CPI2 was the most prevalent score in all age groups. CPI scores were also strongly associated with the independent variables. Approximately 66% of subjects visited a dentist only in the case of an emergency. Lack of periodontal aspects of restorative care was demonstrated by the result of CPI0 among 16% of non‐FPD wearers compared with only 9% of individuals treated with FPD.

Conclusion: The present survey indicates that oral hygiene standards and periodontal health conditions need improvement in Hungary. Effective intervention programme for the prevention and control of periodontal disease are recommended at a national level.
Motor performance in very preterm infants before and after implementation of the newborn individualized developmental care and assessment programme in a neonatal intensive care unit
Authors: Ullenhag Anna , Persson Kristina , Nyqvist Kerstin Hedberg
Published: April 2009

Aim: To compare motor performance in supine position at the age of 4‐months corrected age (CA) in very preterm (VPT) infants cared for in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) before and after the implementation of the Newborn Individualized Developmental Care and Assessment Program (NIDCAP).

Methods: Assessments of motor performance in supine position according to level of motor development and quality of motor performance were made, using the Structured Observation of Motor Performance in Infants (SOMP‐I).

Subjects: VPT infants cared for in a NICU at a Swedish university hospital before, Group A (n = 68), and after, Group B (n = 58), the implementation of developmentally supportive care based on NIDCAP.

Results: The infants who were treated after the introduction of NIDCAP showed higher level of motor development in the arms/hands and trunk. No significant group differences were noted in total deviation score for the respective limbs, but lower frequency of lateral flexion in head movements, extension–external rotation–abduction, extension–internal rotation–adduction and varus and valgus position in the feet was found in the NIDCAP group, compared with those treated before the introduction.

Conclusion: The infants who were treated after NIDCAP care had been implemented showed a higher level of motor development in arms/hand and trunk and fewer deviations in head, legs and feet at 4‐months CA than infants treated before NIDCAP implementation. The observed changes may be due to NIDCAP and/or improved perinatal and neonatal care during the studied time period.
Expression of Human Recombinant Antibody Fragments Capable of Partially Inhibiting the Phospholypase Activity ofCrotalus durissus terrificusVenom
Authors: Oliveira Juliana G. , Soares Sandro G. , Soares Andreimar M. , Giglio José R. , Teixeira José E. , Barbosa José E.
Published: April 2009

Abstract: Crotoxin is the main toxic component of the South American rattlesnakeCrotalus durissus terrificusvenom. It is composed of two different subunits: CA, crotapotin, and CB (basic subunit of cortoxin isolated fromC. d. terrificus), a weakly toxic phospholipase A2with high enzymatic activity. The phospholipases A2are abundant in snake venoms and are responsible for disruption of cell membrane integrity via hydrolysis of its phospholipids. However, in addition to their normal digestive action, a wide range of pharmacological activities, such as neurotoxic, myotoxic, oedema‐inducing, hypotensive, platelet‐aggregating, cardiotoxic, and anticoagulant effects have been attributed to venom phospholipases A2. In this study, we used a non‐immune human single‐chain fragment variable library, Griffin.1 (Medical Research Council, Cambridge, UK) for selection of recombinant antibodies against antigens present inC. d. terrificusvenom and identification of specific antibodies able to inhibit the phospholipase activity. Two clones were identified as capable of inhibiting partially this activityin vitro. These clones were able to reducein vivothe myotoxic and oedema‐inducing activity of CB and the lethality ofC. d. terrificusvenom and crotoxin, but had no effect on thein vitroanticoagulant activity of CB. These results demonstrate the potential of using recombinant single‐chain fragment variable libraries in the production of antivenoms.
The Role of Viral Infection in Inducing Variability in Virus‐Free Progeny in Tomato
Authors: Marii Liliana , Chiriac Gheorghe
Published: April 2009

The effect of virus‐host interactions on subsequent generations is poorly understood. The evaluation of the effects of viral infection on inheritance of quantitative traits in the progeny of infected plants and elucidation of a possible relationship between chiasma frequency in the infected plants and variability of traits in the progeny were investigated. The current study involved genotypes of four intraspecific hybrids of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), their parental forms and two additional cultivars. Used as infection were the tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) and potato virus X (PVX). The consequences of the effect of viral infection were evaluated based on chromosome pairing in diakinesis and/or by examining quantitative and qualitative traits in the progeny of the infected tomato plants. Tomato plants infected with TMV + PVX were found to differ in chiasma frequency per pollen mother cell or per bivalent. Deviations have been observed for genotypes of both F1 hybrids and cultivars. At the same time, differences in mean values of the traits under study have only been found for progeny populations (F2‐F4) derived from virus‐infected F1 hybrids, but not in the case of progeny of the infected cultivars. The rate of recombinants combining traits of both parents increased significantly (2.22–8.24 times) in progeny populations of hybrids infected with TMV + PVX. The above suggests that the observed effects could be the result of modification of recombination frequencies that can be manifested in heterozygous hybrids and make small contributions to variability in cases of ‘homozygous’ tomato genotypes (i.e. cultivars).
Can 14,737 women be wrong? A meta‐analysis of the LSI‐R and recidivism for female offenders*
Authors: Smith Paula , Cullen Francis T. , Latessa Edward J.
Published: April 2009

Research Summary

Over the past two decades, researchers have been increasingly interested in measuring the risk of offender recidivism as a means of advancing public safety and of directing treatment interventions. In this context, one instrument widely used in assessing offenders is the Level of Service Inventory‐Revised (LSI‐R). Recently, however, the LSI‐R has been criticized for being a male‐specific assessment instrument that is a weak predictor of criminal behavior in females. Through the use of meta‐analytic techniques, we assessed this assertion. A total of 27 effect sizes yielded an average r value of .35 ([confidence interval] CI = .34 to .36) for the relationship of the LSI‐R with recidivism for female offenders (N= 14,737). When available, we also made within‐sample comparisons based on gender. These comparisons produced effect sizes for males and females that were statistically similar.

Policy Implications

These results are consistent with those generated in previous research on the LSI‐R. They call into question prevailing critiques that the LSI‐R has predictive validity for male but not for female offenders. At this stage, it seems that corrections officials should be advised that the LSI‐R remains an important instrument for assessing all offenders as a prelude to the delivery of treatment services, especially those based on the principles of effective intervention. Critics should be encouraged, however, to construct and validate through research additional gender‐specific instruments that revise, if not rival, the LSI‐R.
Reflux changes in adenoidal hyperplasia: a controlled prospective study to investigate its aetiology
Authors: Harris P.K. , Hussey D.J. , Watson D.I. , Mayne G.C. , Bradshaw A. , Joniau S. , Tan L.W. , Wormald P.J. , Carney A.S.
Published: April 2009

Objectives:  To compare pepsin, carbonic anhydrase III (CAIII), cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) and mucin 5AC (MUC5AC) expression in children with adenoid hypertrophy and normal controls.

Design:  A non‐randomised, controlled prospective study.

Setting:  Two paediatric hospitals in Adelaide, South Australia.

Participants:  Children aged 2–10 years, 21 undergoing adenoidectomy and 12 controls undergoing routine dental surgery.

Main outcome measures:  We measured expression of pepsin, CAIII, COX‐2 and MUC5AC levels by real‐time RT‐PCR, immunohistochemistry, and Western blot to determine any difference between children with hyperplastic adenoids and controls.

Results:  Pepsin was not detected in any study or control adenoid by immunohistochemistry or Western blot. Real‐time RT‐PCR analysis showed a statistically significant difference between groups with respect to COX‐2 (P = 0.027) and MUC5AC (P = 0.02) but no difference in CAIII expression (P = 0.414). A significant correlation was also found between COX‐2 and MUC5AC expression (Kendall Tau = 0.4, P = 0.005).

Conclusion:  Our results suggest that the biochemical changes seen in adenoid hypertrophy are different to those seen in reflux‐affected tissues. The decreased COX‐2 and MUC5AC expression may be due to squamous metaplasia and other inflammatory changes associated with adenoid hypertrophy. Our findings infer there is little evidence of reflux being a major contributory factor in the pathophysiology of adenoidal hypertrophy.
The surgical dilemma of ‘functional inoperability’ in oral and oropharyngeal cancer: current consensus on operability with regard to functional results
Authors: Kreeft A. , Tan I.B. , Van Den Brekel M.W.M. , Hilgers F.J. , Balm A.J.M.
Published: April 2009

Objectives:  If surgical resection of a tumour results in an unacceptable loss of function, this is defined as ‘functional inoperability’. The current survey aims to define the borders of functional inoperability in oral and oropharyngeal carcinoma and evaluate its current use by obtaining opinions from the experts in the field.

Design:  A web base survey.

Participants:  Dutch head‐neck surgeons and radiotherapists.

Main outcome measures:  Assessment of functional results after tumour resection in twenty‐two statements and five cases.

Results:  Response on the survey is 93% and the reactions are variable. Reactions vary slightly by the size of the clinic or discipline (radiation oncology versus head and neck surgery). There is agreement about the unacceptable function loss after total glossectomy. There is no absolute consensus about the functional outcome after certain surgical procedures, namely: bilateral maxillectomy, resection of a tonsil and resection of base of tongue carcinoma including removal of the vallecula and epiglottis, and total soft palate resection. Disagreement of operability is also observed for T3 and T4 base of tongue carcinomas based on case descriptions and Magnetic Resonance Images. Assessment of whether one hypoglossal nerve can be preserved is agreed to be a key factor for functional operability.

Conclusions:  The term functional inoperability appears to be clinically used by Dutch experts in the decision making process in advanced head and neck carcinomas. According to the experts who took part in the survey, primary total glossectomy or sacrificing both hypoglossal nerves is an operation that causes too much and therefore unacceptable function loss. In several case scenarios a consensus over operability could not be reached by the experts. The decision varies per physician, institute and patient. Functional inoperability is variable and difficult to determine, but it is clinically used and therefore important to bring under attention.
Prosocial to Egoistic Enculturation of Our Children: A Climato‐Economic Contextualization
Authors: Van de Vliert Evert , Van der Vegt Gerben S. , Janssen Onne
Published: April 2009

Are altruistic, cooperative, apathetic, and egoistic cultures passed on from generation to generation in nongenetic ways? A society‐level analysis of data from the most recent World Values Surveys showed that adults in increasingly demanding cold or hot climates value cooperative enculturation of children to the extent that their society is richer, but egoistic enculturation to the extent that their society is poorer. These results refine the climatic demands–resources theory of prosociality, which posits that (a) humans in more demanding—colder or hotter—climates find it more difficult to satisfy homeostatic needs for thermal comfort, nutrition, and health; (b) increasingly demanding climates matched by wealth‐based resources and availability of homeostatic goods produce more prosocial cultures; and (c) increasingly demanding climates unmatched by wealth‐based resources and availability of homeostatic goods produce less prosocial cultures.
Is a percentage a percentage? Systematic review of the effectiveness of Scandinavian behavioural modification smoking cessation programmes
Authors: Poulsen Peter Bo , Dollerup Jens , Møller Ann Merete
Published: April 2009

Introduction:  Tobacco smoke is the leading preventable cause of death in the world. A total of 50% of all smokers will die from a smoking‐related disease with a major impact upon quality of life and health‐care costs. Tobacco‐controlling policies, including smoking cessation, have increasingly been implemented across European countries. Reported effectiveness data on smoking cessation interventions are important for decision making.

Objective:  This study aimed to conduct a literature review on how the effectiveness (quit rates) of behavioural modification smoking cessation programmes (BMSCPs) – counselling, quitlines and quit‐and‐win contests – were analysed in Denmark, Sweden and Norway.

Methods:  A systematic review was carried out by using the search engines Medline (U.S. National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD, USA), Cinahl (CINAHL Information Systems, EBSCO Industries, Ipswich, MA, USA), Embase (Elsevier, New York, NY, USA) and the grey literature. Following the Russell Standards, studies were selected according to design, analysis of data [intention‐to‐treat (ITT)/per protocol (PP)], documentation of abstinence and length of follow‐up. Cochrane reviews of pharmacological studies were used as the benchmark.

Results:  Although ITT analysis is the standard scientific approach advocated, most studies of BMSCPs reviewed were analysed by using the PP approach and were based on self‐reported point prevalence estimates. This resulted in the reported 1‐year quit rates between 16%–45% (PP) and 9%–23% (ITT). In contrast, pharmacological studies are conservative, as they are randomised, use ITT analysis and have continuous quit rates with biochemical verification of abstinence.

Conclusion:  This literature review reveals that quit rates of smoking cessation interventions are not always comparable. Scandinavian BMSCPs reported optimistic quit rates, confirmed by Cochrane literature review criteria. Care should be exercised when comparing smoking cessation interventions.

Please cite this paper as: Poulsen PB, Dollerup J and Møller AM. Is a percentage a percentage? Systematic review of the effectiveness of Scandinavian behavioural modification smoking cessation programmes. The Clinical Respiratory Journal 2009; DOI:10.1111/j.1752‐699X.2009.00144.x.
The effect of ursodeoxycholic acid on liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy in rats with non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Uzun Mehmet Ali , Koksal Neset , Aktas Suat , Gunerhan Yusuf , Kadioglu Huseyin , Dursun Nevra , Sehirli Ahmet Ozer
Published: April 2009

Aim:  To investigate the effect of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) on liver regeneration following partial hepatectomy in rats with non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Methods:  UDCA was administered to seven rats (group 1) and physiological saline was administered both to seven rats (group 2) with NAFLD and to seven rats with normal livers (group 3). All rats underwent two‐thirds hepatectomy and the remnant liver tissues were removed 48 h later. Mitotic index (MI) and levels of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were assayed.

Results:  MI and PCNA levels in group 2 were significantly lower than in groups 1 and 3, but the values in groups 1 and 3 were similar. The GSH levels of group 2 were significantly lower than those of group 3 in the hepatectomy tissues, and lower than those of groups 1 and 3 in the remnant tissues. The differences between GSH levels in groups 1 and 3 were not significant. MDA levels in hepatectomy and remnant tissues were significantly higher in group 2 compared to groups 1 and 3; values in groups 1 and 3 were similar.

Conclusion:  UDCA increases regeneration after partial hepatectomy in rats with NAFLD, possibly due to an attenuating effect on oxidative stress.
The value of model for end‐stage liver disease and Child–Turcotte–Pugh scores over time in evaluating the prognosis of patients with decompensated cirrhosis: experience in the Chinese mainland
Authors: Bie Cai‐qun , Yang Dong‐hua , Tang Shao‐hui , Huang Wei
Published: April 2009

Aim:  In addition to the model for end‐stage liver disease (MELD) and Child–Turcotte–Pugh (CTP) score, the change in MELD score (ΔMELD) and CTP (ΔCTP) over time, as well as the modified CTP score, have been proposed as predictive factors for patients with advanced liver cirrhosis. We investigated the ability of the above scoring systems to predict the outcome of decompensated cirrhosis in the Chinese mainland.

Methods:  A cohort of 160 patients with advanced liver cirrhosis who were followed up were studied prospectively. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis was used to evaluate 3‐month survival in categories ranked by MELD and ΔMELD, CTP, ΔCTP and modified CTP score respectively. The area under receiver operator characteristics curve (AUC) was used to determine the predictive abilities of these models for 3‐month mortality. A multivariate logistic regression method was used to determine the factors associated with mortality.

Results:  Forty‐five patients (28%) died within 3 months. The AUC of the ΔMELD (0.901) was significantly higher than that of the MELD score (0.828) and the CTP score (0.605) (P < 0.01). The differences remained significant between the AUC of the ΔCTP and CTP score, modified CTP and CTP (P < 0.01). The AUC of ΔCTP, modified CTP and MELD were not different from each other (P > 0.05). In multivariate analysis, MELD, CTP scores, ΔMELD, ΔCTP and modified CTP were independent predictors of 3‐month mortality.

Conclusions:  ΔMELD, ΔCTP and modified CTP were clinically useful parameters for short‐term prognostication of patients with decompensated cirrhosis.
Multiparticle Effective Field and Related Methods in Micromechanics of Composite Materials
Authors: Buryachenko V. A.
Published: April 2009

The numerous approaches used in micromechanics can be classified into four broad categories: perturbation methods, self-consistent methods of truncation of a hierarchy, variational methods, and the model methods. In detail we will consider the self-consistent methods applied to linear elastic problems, based on some approximate and closing assumptions for truncating of an infinite system of integral equations involved and their approximate solution. We consider multiparticle effective field methods, effective medium methods, the Mori-Tanaka method, differential methods and some others. This review article tends to concentrate on methods and concepts, their possible generalizations, and connections of different methods, rather than explicit results. In the framework of a unique scheme, we undertake an attempt to analyze the wide class of statical and dynamical, local and nonlocal, linear and nonlinear micromechanical problems of composite materials with deterministic (periodic and non-periodic) and random (statistically homogeneous and inhomogeneous, so-called graded) structures, containing coated or uncoated inclusions of any shape and orientation and subjected to coupled or uncoupled, homogeneous or inhomogeneous, external fields of different physical natures. The last section contains a discussion of prospects for future work. The article includes 540 references.
Sandwich Structures
Authors: Vinson Jack R.
Published: April 2009

The use of sandwich structures is increasing rapidly. It is used in many applications ranging from satellites, aircraft, ships, automobiles, rail cars, and in bridge construction to mention only a few. The purpose of the following review article is to provide a general introduction to or discussion of the structural mechanics involved in the field of sandwich structures and a sufficient number of references to enable the reader to further investigate his/her specific interests. Like all reviews, it is limited by the knowledge of the author and a reasonable length for the article. This article has 174 references.
Modification of Planck Black Body Emissive Power and Intensity in Particulate Media Due to Multiple and Dependent Scattering
Authors: Prasher Ravi
Published: April 2009

Dispersion relation for electromagnetic wave is obtained in particulate media using effective field approximation (EFA) and quasi crystalline approximation (QCA). Due to multiple and dependent scattering the density of states, phase velocity and group velocity of photons are modified. Modification of these parameters modifies the Planck black body equilibrium radiation intensity. This modification affects the temperature and the heat flux predictions in multiple and dependent scattering particulate media. Results show that EFA can accurately capture the dependence of density of states, phase velocity and the group velocity on volume fraction of scatterers whereas QCA can capture the dependence of effective attenuation as well as density of states, phase velocity and the group velocity. Comparisons of the temperature, heat flux, and effective attenuation are made between EFA, QCA and work done by C.L Tien and coworkers. Results show that heat flux and temperature predictions made by models in the literature for multiple and dependent scattering are not correct as these models do not take the modification of the equilibrium intensity into account. Finally we introduce a new model called Dependent Effective Field Approximation (DEFA) which accurately captures the effect of volume fraction on the equilibrium intensity, and effective attenuation. All relations derived in the paper are for spherical particles.