bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Local and landscape effects of organic farming on butterfly species richness and abundance
Authors: Rundlöf Maj , Bengtsson Janne , Smith Henrik G.
Published: April 2008

Agri‐environmental schemes (AES) are commonly adopted in Europe to reduce the loss of farmland biodiversity. These schemes have, however, been criticized as not fulfilling this goal, partly because their effectiveness is thought to differ depending on external factors such as landscape heterogeneity, the focal organism and scale of application.

We used one AES, organic farming, as a landscape‐scale experiment to test whether its effect on butterflies depends on the spatial scale at which it is applied. Our study system consisted of organically and conventionally managed fields within eight pairs of matched landscapes, differing in the proportion of land under organic management at the landscape scale. Butterflies and their nectar and host‐plant resources were surveyed along the fields and adjacent field borders.

Butterfly species richness and abundance were significantly increased by organic farming at the local scale. However, local butterfly species richness was also positively affected by a large proportion of organic farming in the surrounding landscape, independent of the local farming practice. Local and landscape farming practices interacted such that the farming practice within fields had a larger effect on butterfly abundance if surrounded by conventionally rather than organically managed fields. These results could only partly be explained by variation in local availability of nectar and host‐plant resources.

The total observed species richness (γ‐diversity) was higher in organically managed landscapes, mainly because of higher within‐field diversity (α‐diversity), whereas the between‐field diversity (β‐diversity) tended to be similar in both landscape types.

Synthesis and applications. Butterflies were positively affected by organic farming at a local scale, but the amount of organic farming in the surrounding landscape had either an additive (species richness) or interactive (abundance) effect. Therefore, the spatial distribution of AES must be taken into account to maximize their potential to increase farmland biodiversity. We have shown that organic farming affected butterfly species richness on nearby conventionally managed land. This suggests a landscape effect of organic farming that may indicate a wider benefit of AES for biodiversity conservation.
The interplay of pollinator diversity, pollination services and landscape change
Authors: Steffan‐Dewenter Ingolf , Westphal Catrin
Published: April 2008

Pollinators are a functional group with high relevance for ensuring cross‐pollination in wild plant populations and yields in major crops. Both pollinator declines and losses of pollination services have been identified in the context of habitat destruction and land use intensification.

This editorial synthesizes and links the findings presented in seven papers in this Special Profile, focusing on pollinator diversity and plant–pollinator interactions in natural habitats and agricultural landscapes.

The results contribute to our understanding of local and landscape scale effects of land use intensification on pollinator densities and diversity, and pollination functions in wild plant communities and crops.

Synthesis and applications. We emphasize the exceptional coverage in pollination ecology ranging from basic ecological relationships to applied aspects of ecosystem services and ecosystem management, and conclude with identifying gaps in current knowledge and challenging research areas for the future.
Phylogenetic structure of local communities predicts the size of the regional species pool
Authors: Gerhold Pille , Pärtel Meelis , Liira Jaan , Zobel Kristjan , Prinzing Andreas
Published: April 2008

The regional species pool is a set of species available in a region and ecologically suitable for growing in the particular environment occupied by a local community. As species pools are largely influenced by evolutionary processes such as the conservation of ecological niches within lineages we hypothesize that the size of the regional species pool increases with the variety of distinct phylogenetic lineages represented in a local community. We contrast this with hypotheses invoking diversification of individual lineages within environments or stochastic present‐day assembly of local communities.

We calculated phylogenetic distinctness for a local community as the number of nodes separating two species averaged over all pairwise comparisons across a phylogenetic topology of a regional flora. We calculated the size of the regional species pool for a local community as the number of species in the regional flora that share the ecological niche position of the species constituting the local community.

Analysing field‐layer communities across a wide range of environments, we indeed found that local communities composed of phylogenetically highly distinct species recruit from larger species pools than communities of low phylogenetic distinctness. Accounting for the presence of two particularly diversifying lineages (Poaceae and Cyperaceae) confirmed these results.

These results help us to understand how the species pool was assembled throughout evolution in different types of environments (immigration vs. in situ radiation of individual lineages).

The phylogenetic approach is of large practical value to infer the size of the regional species pool because phylogenies have become available for many groups of species worldwide, while knowledge of the species’ ecological requirements or habitat affiliation (needed for the classical definition of species pools) is often still lacking.

Synthesis. We show that the size of the regional species pool can be predicted by the average phylogenetic distinctness between the species present in a local community. This approach contributes to the understanding of the causes of species richness in regional species pools and local communities. The approach is also an important tool for determining the size of the regional species pool when parameters other than species phylogeny are not known.
The fragile X continuum: new advances and perspectives
Authors: Cornish K. , Turk J. , Hagerman R.
Published: April 2008

Fragile X syndrome is the world's most common hereditary cause of intellectual disability in men and to a lesser extent in women. The disorder is caused by the silencing of a single gene on the X chromosome, the Fragile X Mental Retardation Gene‐1. A substantial body of research across the disciplines of molecular genetics, child psychiatry and developmental neuroscience bears testament to a decade of exciting and innovative science that has advanced our knowledge about the fragile X ‘signature’ or influence across cognitive and social development. The core aims of this review are to first discuss fragile X syndrome and premutation involvement in the context of current advances that demonstrate the dynamic nature of the genotype on phenotypic outcomes. Second, to discuss the implications of these recent advances for the development of clinical and educational interventions and resource tools that target specific phenotypic ‘signatures’ within the fragile X continuum.
Multiple paternity in reptiles: patterns and processes
Authors: ULLER TOBIAS , OLSSON MATS
Published: April 2008

The evolution of female promiscuity poses an intriguing problem as benefits of mating with multiple males often have to arise via indirect, genetic, effects. Studies on birds have documented that multiple paternity is common in natural populations but strong evidence for selection via female benefits is lacking. In an attempt to evaluate the evidence more broadly, we review studies of multiple paternity in natural populations of all major groups of nonavian reptiles. Multiple paternity has been documented in all species investigated so far and commonly exists in over 50% of clutches, with particularly high levels in snakes and lizards. Marine turtles and lizards with prolonged pair‐bonding have relatively low levels of multiple paternity but levels are nevertheless higher than in many vertebrates with parental care. There is no evidence that high levels of polyandry are driven by direct benefits to females and the evidence that multiple paternity arises from indirect genetic benefits is weak. Instead, we argue that the most parsimonious explanation for patterns of multiple paternity is that it represents the combined effect of mate‐encounter frequency and conflict over mating rates between males and females driven by large male benefits and relatively small female costs, with only weak selection via indirect benefits. A crucial step for researchers is to move from correlative approaches to experimental tests of assumptions and predictions of theory under natural settings, using a combination of molecular techniques and behavioural observations.
Scavenger receptor gp340 aggregates group A streptococci by binding pili
Authors: Edwards Andrew M. , Manetti Andrea G. O. , Falugi Fabiana , Zingaretti Chiara , Capo Sabrina , Buccato Scilla , Bensi Giuliano , Telford John L. , Margarit Immaculada , Grandi Guido
Published: April 2008

Group A streptococci (GAS) are the most frequent cause of bacterial pharyngitis. The first obstacle to GAS colonization of the pharynx is saliva. As well as forming a physical barrier, saliva contains components of innate and acquired immunity. Previous work has shown that saliva induces bacterial aggregation, which may serve as a clearance mechanism. As the aggregation of some oral streptococci in saliva is mediated by long proteinaceous appendages, we hypothesized that pili of GAS might behave similarly. Wild‐type GAS M1 strain SF370 aggregated in saliva, while pilus‐defective mutants did not. Similarly, heterologous expression of diverse GAS pili on the surface of Lactococcus lactis induced aggregation in saliva, while control strains were unaffected. Further studies revealed that aggregating bacteria bound salivary component gp340. Purified gp340 aggregated wild‐type GAS and L. lactis expressing GAS pili, but not control strains. GAS pilus‐defective mutants were abrogated in gp340 binding and aggregation. Furthermore, gp340‐mediated aggregation reduced bacterial adhesion to human epithelial cells, suggesting a role in host defence.
Selective repression by Fis and H‐NS at the Escherichia coli dps promoter
Authors: Grainger David C. , Goldberg Martin D. , Lee David J. , Busby Stephen J. W.
Published: April 2008

Dps is a nucleoid‐associated protein that plays a major role in condensation of the Escherichia coli chromosome in stationary phase. Here we show that two other nucleoid‐associated proteins, Fis and H‐NS, can bind at the dps gene promoter and downregulate its activity. Both Fis and H‐NS selectively repress the dps promoter, preventing transcription initiation by RNA polymerase containing σ70, the housekeeping σ factor, but not by RNA polymerase containing σ38, the stationary‐phase σ factor. Fis represses by trapping RNA polymerase containing σ70 at the promoter. In contrast, H‐NS functions by displacing RNA polymerase containing σ70, but not RNA polymerase containing σ38. Dps levels are known to be very low in exponentially growing cells and rise sharply as cells enter stationary phase. Conversely, Fis levels are high in growing cells but fall to nearly zero in stationary‐phase cells. Our data suggest a simple model to explain how the Dps‐dependent super‐compaction of the folded chromosome is triggered as cell growth ceases.
Staphylococcus aureus primase has higher initiation specificity, interacts with single‐stranded DNA stronger, but is less stimulated by its helicase than Escherichia coli primase
Authors: Koepsell Scott A. , Larson Marilynn A. , Frey Christopher A. , Hinrichs Steven H. , Griep Mark A.
Published: April 2008

The study of primases from model organisms such as Escherichia coli, phage T7 and phage T4 has demonstrated the essential nature of primase function, which is to generate de novo RNA polymers to prime DNA polymerase. However, little is known about the function of primases from other eubacteria. Their overall low primary sequence homology may result in functional differences. To help understand which primase functions were conserved, primase and its replication partner helicase from the pathogenic Gram‐positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus were compared in detail with that of E. coli primase and helicase. The conserved properties were to primer initiation and elongation and included slow kinetics, low fidelity and poor sugar specificity. The significant differences included S. aureus primase having sixfold higher kinetic affinity for its template than E. coli primase under equivalent conditions. This naturally higher activity was balanced by its fourfold lower stimulation by its replication fork helicase compared with E. coli primase. The most significant difference between the two primases was that S. aureus helicase stimulation did not broaden the S. aureus primase initiation specificity, which has important biological implications.
Large‐scale transposon mutagenesis ofMycoplasma pulmonis
Authors: French Christopher T. , Lao Ping , Loraine Ann E. , Matthews Brian T. , Yu Huilan , Dybvig Kevin
Published: April 2008

To obtain mutants for the study of the basic biology and pathogenic mechanisms of mycoplasmas, the insertion site of transposon Tn4001Twas determined for 1700 members of a library ofMycoplasma pulmonismutants. After evaluating several criteria for gene disruption, we concluded that 321 of the 782 protein coding regions were inactivated. The dispensable and essential genes ofM. pulmoniswere compared with those reported forMycoplasma genitaliumandBacillus subtilis. Perhaps the most surprising result of the current study was that unlike other bacteria, ribosomal proteins S18 and L28 were dispensable. Carbohydrate transport and the susceptibility of selected mutants to UV irradiation were examined to assess whether active transposition of Tn4001Twithin the genome would confound phenotypic analysis. In contrast to earlier reports suggesting that mycoplasmas were limited in their DNA repair machinery, mutations inrecA,uvrA,uvrBanduvrCresulted in a DNA‐repair deficient phenotype. A mutant with a defect in transport ofN‐acetylglucosamine was identified.
Regulation of bacterial gene expression by the NTP substrates of transcription initiation
Authors: Turnbough, Jr Charles L.
Published: April 2008

Many mechanisms of gene regulation in bacteria do not employ repressor or activator proteins. One class of these mechanisms includes those in which the key regulatory element is the control of transcription initiation by the availability of NTP substrates. In this commentary, several distinct examples of initiating NTP‐mediated gene regulation are discussed, including a mechanism reported by Krásnýet al. in this issue of Molecular Microbiology. These researchers show that during the stringent response induced by amino acid starvation of Bacillus subtilis, increases in the intracellular level of ATP permit upregulation of promoters with +1A start sites, while concurrent decreases in the intracellular level of GTP cause downregulation of promoters with +1G start sites. This regulation is restricted to stringently controlled promoters.
Morphometric evaluation of oesophageal wall in patients with nutcracker oesophagus and ineffective oesophageal motility
Authors: Kim H. S. , Park H. , Lim J. H. , Choi S. H. , Park C. , Lee S. I. , Conklin J. L.
Published: April 2008

Abstract  The pathogenesis of nutcracker oesophagus (NE) and ineffective oesophageal motility (IEM) is unclear. Damage to the enteric nervous system or smooth muscle can cause oesophageal dysmotility. We tested the hypothesis that NE and IEM are associated with abnormal muscular or neural constituents of the oesophageal wall. Oesophageal manometry was performed in patients prior to total gastrectomy for gastric cancer. The oesophageal manometries were categorized as normal (n = 7), NE (n = 13), or IEM (n = 5). Histologic examination of oesophageal tissue obtained during surgery was performed after haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and trichrome staining. Oesophageal innervation was examined after immunostaining for protein gene product‐9.5 (PGP‐9.5), choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS). There were no significant differences in inner circular smooth muscle thickness or degree of fibrosis among the three groups. Severe muscle fibre loss was found in four of five patients with IEM. The density of PGP‐9.5‐reactive neural structures was not different among the three groups. The density of ChAT immunostaining in the myenteric plexus (MP) was significantly greater in patients with NE (P < 0.05) and the density of nNOS immunostaining in the circular muscle (CM) was significantly greater in IEM patients (P < 0.05). The ChAT/nNOS ratio in both MP and CM was significantly greater in NE patients. NE may result from an imbalance between the excitatory and inhibitory innervation of the oesophagus, because more than normal numbers of ChAT‐positive myenteric neurones are seen in NE. Myopathy and/or increased number of nNOS neurones may contribute to the hypocontractile motor activity of IEM.
Relationships among the major lineages of Dictyoptera: the effect of outgroup selection on dictyopteran tree topology
Authors: WARE JESSICA L. , LITMAN JESSE , KLASS KLAUS‐DIETER , SPEARMAN LAUREN A.
Published: April 2008

AbstractDictyoptera, comprising Blattaria, Isoptera, and Mantodea, are diverse in appearance and life history, and are strongly supported as monophyletic. We downloaded COII, 16S, 18S, and 28S sequences of 39 dictyopteran species from GenBank. Ribosomal RNA sequences were aligned manually with reference to secondary structure. We included morphological data (maximum of 175 characters) for 12 of these taxa and for an additional 15 dictyopteran taxa (for which we had only morphological data). We had two datasets, a 59‐taxon dataset with five outgroup taxa, from Phasmatodea (2 taxa), Mantophasmatodea (1 taxon), Embioptera (1 taxon), and Grylloblattodea (1 taxon), and a 62‐taxon dataset with three additional outgroup taxa from Plecoptera (1 taxon), Dermaptera (1 taxon) and Orthoptera (1 taxon). We analysed the combined molecular−morphological dataset using the doublet and MK models in MrBayes, and using a parsimony heuristic search inpaup. Within the monophyletic Mantodea,Mantoidais recovered as sister to the rest of Mantodea, followed by Chaeteessa; the monophyly of most of the more derived families as defined currently is not supported. We recovered novel phylogenetic hypotheses about the taxa within Blattodea (following Hennig, containing Isoptera). Unique to our study, one Bayesian analysis places Polyphagoidea as sister to all other Dictyoptera; other analyses and/or the addition of certain orthopteran sequences, however, place Polyphagoidea more deeply within Dictyoptera. Isoptera falls within the cockroaches, sister to the genusCryptocercus. Separate parsimony analyses of independent gene fragments suggest that gene selection is an important factor in tree reconstruction. When we varied the ingroup taxa and/or outgroup taxa, the internal dictyopteran relationships differed in the position of several taxa of interest, includingCryptocercus,Polyphaga,PeriplanetaandSupella. This provides further evidence that the choice of both outgroup and ingroup taxa greatly affects tree topology.
Effects of immunotherapy on the inflammation in pollen asthma
Authors: Rak S.
Published: April 2008

Seasonal asthma is a natural model of airway inflammation where amount of airborne antigen have direct impact and correlates to the clinical disease and degree of inflammation. Bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) is an indirect measure of the degree of airway inflammation and the seasonal increase paralleling clinical disease has been shown in a number of studies. Using a model of seasonal asthma in birch pollen sensitive individuals we intended to prove the anti‐inflammatory potential of immunotherapy (IT). Forty birch pollen‐allergic patients, 20 IT‐treated and 20 untreated participated in a series of studies. BHR expressed as PCzo histamine increased in all patients during the season although most in untreated controls; the difference between the groups was p <0.07. The level of eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) rose in untreated, but not IT‐treated, patients during the season (p <0.05). Significant increase in eosinophil chemotactic activity (ECA) in serum of untreated patients during the season was noted. IT‐treatment abrogated this response. After 2 years of treatment bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was performed on 12 patients (6 in each group). IT‐treatment prevented seasonal rise of eosinophil numbers in peripheral blood (PB) and the lung while in the untreated group the increase was significant in both compartments (p <0.05 and p<0.01, respectively). At the same timc, significant increment in ECP and ECA levels in BAL wcre rccordcd in untreated patients comparcd with IT‐treated (p <0.05. p <0.01, respectively). It is concluded that IT proved its anti‐inflammatory effect by diminishing degree of BHR, prcventing attraction. accumulation and activation of eosinophils in the lung of allergic I asthmatics.
Successful autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation with a double‐conditioning regimen for recurrent hepatoblastoma after liver transplantation
Authors: Niwa Akira , Umeda Katsutsugu , Awaya Tomonari , Yui Yoshihiro , Matsubara Hiroshi , Hiramatsu Hidefumi , Watanabe Ken‐Ichiro , Adachi Souichi , Itoh Takashi , Uemoto Shinji , Nakahata Tatsutoshi
Published: April 2008

Abstract:  A four‐yr‐old boy developed a solitary metastasis nine months after living‐related liver transplantation for unresectable hepatoblastoma. After resection of the metastatic lesion, he received an auto‐PBSCT with a double‐conditioning regimen consisting of melphalan and thiotepa. Auto‐PBSCT could be safely performed without any serious regimen‐related toxicity or infection. However, transient cessation of tacrolimus during myelosuppression resulted in graft rejection of the liver just after hematological engraftment, but rejection was resolved by tacrolimus and methylprednisolone. The patient is alive and free from disease two yr after auto‐PBSCT without any signs of graft rejection. High‐dose chemotherapy using this conditioning regimen may be feasible for recurrent hepatoblastoma after liver transplantation in terms of safety and anti‐tumor activity.
Chilling Stress Accelerates Degradation of Seed Storage Protein and Photosynthetic Protein during Cotton Seed Germination
Authors: Gai Y. P. , Li X. Z. , Ji X. L. , Wu C. A. , Yang G. D. , Zheng C‐C.
Published: April 2008

Low temperature is one of the major abiotic stresses limiting the productivity and geographical distribution of many important crops. To gain a better understanding of chilling stress responses in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), we carried out a comparative proteomic analysis. Cotyledon proteins of 1‐week‐old cotton seedlings treated with or without chilling treatment at 4 °C were extracted, separated by a two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis and compared. Among 1500 protein spots reproducibly detected on each gel, 25 protein spots were down‐regulated and 29 were up‐regulated. Seven cotton proteins were identified by mass spectrometry analysis as beta‐globulin A precursor fragments. One was identified as a Rubisco large subunit fragment, providing evidence of both seed storage protein and photosynthetic protein destruction by chilling stress. The related physiological and biochemical analysis showed that there was a significant increase in endopeptidase activity and activated oxygen generation rate, and an obvious decrease in carboxylation efficiency and maximum net photosynthetic rate of cotton seedlings under chilling stress. Based on the above results, the degradation mechanisms of beta‐globulin and Rubisco under chilling stress were discussed. In conclusion, our study provides new insights into chilling‐stress responses in cotton and demonstrates the advantages of proteomic analysis.
TransgenicBt‐Cotton Affects Enzyme Activity and Nutrient Availability in a Sub‐Tropical Inceptisol
Authors: Sarkar B. , Patra A. K. , Purakayastha T. J.
Published: April 2008

We investigated the dynamics of N and P availability in the rhizosphere ofBtand non‐Btcotton crops during their growth. In a net‐house pot culture experiment at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi,Bt‐cotton (cv. MRC‐6301Bt) and its non‐transgenic near‐isoline (MRC‐6301) were grown on a sandy loam soil until maturity. A control (no‐crop) treatment was also included. Rhizosphere soil and root samples were collected at 60, 90, and 120 days after sowing (DAS). Soil samples were analysed for dehydrogenase activity, soil respiration, mineral‐N and Olsen‐P. Results have revealed a significant reduction in dehydrogenase activity (−17 %) and soil respiration (−3.5 %) in the rhizosphere ofBt‐cotton over non‐Btisoline. Total mineral‐N (NH4+‐N + ‐N) in soil was reduced by 14 %, whereas Olsen‐P was increased by 8 % because ofBt‐cotton. Root biomass yields were not different (P > 0.05), but root volume was significantly higher inBtthan non‐Btisoline. Time of sampling strongly (P < 0.05) affected the above parameters, showing their highest values at 60 or 90 DAS. A significant interactive effect of sampling time and treatments was also indicated. Our results suggest thatBt‐cotton may constrain the availability of N, but enhances P‐availability in these soils.
European Hornbeam Powdery Mildew Erysiphe arcuata in Slovakia
Authors: Pastirčáková K. , Takamatsu S. , Shiroya Y. , Pastirčák M.
Published: April 2008

Erysiphe arcuata found on European hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) is reported from Slovakia for the first time. Taxonomic characters of the anamorphic and teleomorphic states of E. arcuata were described and illustrated. Additionally, disease symptoms caused by this pathogen were presented. The identification of the fungus is based on morphological data combined with the results of a sequence analysis.
Aspergilloma in a pulmonary hydatid cyst: a case report
Authors: Bal Amanjit , Bagai Maneesh , Mohan Harsh , Dalal Usha
Published: April 2008

The most common predisposing factor for aspergillomas is the presence of a pre‐existing lung cavity secondary to tuberculosis, bronchial cysts and bullae, neoplasms, and pulmonary infarction. However, Aspergilloma within a hydatid cyst is a rare occurrence. A 52‐year‐old female was presented with chest pain and shortness of breath. Computerized tomography‐guided fine needle aspiration (FNA) showed fragment of lamellated membrane of hydatid cyst in a background of amorphous debris. Surgical enucleation of the cyst revealed lamellated hyaline acellular ectocyst of hydatid cyst and collections of acute angle branching septate hyphae conforming to morphology of Aspergillus. Here we describe this rare entity of aspergilloma in a pulmonary hydatid cyst and discuss its management.
Novel tumor‐ablation device for liver tumors utilizing heat energy generated under an alternating magnetic field
Authors: Sato Koichi , Watanabe Yuji , Horiuchi Atsushi , Yukumi Shungo , Doi Takashi , Yoshida Motohira , Yamamoto Yuji , Maehara Tsunehiro , Naohara Takashi , Kawachi Kanji
Published: April 2008

Background and Aims:  We have developed a novel tumor‐ablation device for liver tumors utilizing heat energy induced by magnesium ferrite (MgFe2O4) particles under an alternating magnetic field (AMF) produced by electric currents. This novel device can repeatedly heat liver tumors at lower temperature than usual heating devices, such as radiofrequency ablation therapy, with slight infliction of pain. This study assesses its heating effect on rat liver tumors as local therapy.

Method:  The small needle was manufactured from MgFe2O4 particles by sintering at 1100°C. After a MgFe2O4 needle was inserted into liver tumors comprising of dRLh‐84 cells, the tumors were heated for 30 min under an AMF. We examined cellular activity by using nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) diaphorase staining and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated digoxigenin‐dUTP nick‐end labeling (TUNEL) staining, and evaluated the effect of suppressing tumor growth by sequentially comparing the tumor diameter with that of the control group.

Results:  The mean temperature of the heated tumors was 60.2 ± 1.8°C. The tumor cells were constricted, and chromatin of nuclei had shrunk immediately after heating. The heat‐injury area that contained the tumors was negative for NADH diaphorase activity. After 3 days, the tumor cells in the heat‐injury area became positive for TUNEL staining, which detects cell death. At 7 days, the mean tumor diameters were significantly smaller in the heating group than in the control group (6.15 ± 0.47 mm vs 16.89 ± 2.69 mm; P < 0.05).

Conclusion:  This device, utilizing heat energy induced by ferromagnetic metal under an AMF, appears useful as local thermotherapy for human liver cancer.
Long‐term prognosis of cirrhotics with an upper gastrointestinal bleeding episode: Does infection play a role?
Authors: Vlachogiannakos Jiannis , Sklavos Pantelis , Viazis Nikos , Manolakopoulos Spilios , Markoglou Costas , Kougioumtzian Anastasios , Triantos Christos , Theodoropoulos Jiannis , Raptis Sotirios , Karamanolis Dimitrios G
Published: April 2008

Background and Aim:  We evaluated the effect of infection on the short‐ and long‐term outcome of cirrhotic patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB), in a series of patients not submitted to antibiotic prophylaxis.

Methods:  The cirrhotic patients hospitalized for UGIB were prospectively followed up until the last visit, death, or transplantation. A standard screening protocol was used for bacterial infection at admission.

Results:  In total, 205 patients were included in the study. Antibiotics were administered in 79 (38.5%) patients and an infection was documented in 64 (31.4%) patients. In total, 130 (63.4%) patients died after a mean (SD) follow up of 23.8 (30.9) months. Six‐week mortality was higher in the infected patients (P < 0.0001). The mortality of patients who were alive 6 weeks after admission was not different between the infected and non‐infected patients. Antibiotic use or bacterial infection, the Child–Pugh score, hepatocellular carcinoma, and creatinine were the independent predictors of 6‐week mortality. Age and the Child–Pugh score were the only predictors of mortality of the patients who had survived for more than 6 weeks after acute bleeding. In total, 51 (24.9%) patients rebled, 37 (18.1%) within 5 days of admission. Rebleeding was more frequent (41.8% vs 14.3%, P < 0.0001) in infected patients, mostly due to differences in early rebleeding (31.6% vs 9.5%, P = 0.0001).

Conclusion:  Bacterial infection is associated with failure to control UGIB and early mortality in cirrhotic patients, but does not seem to affect the outcome of patients who overcome the bleeding episode.
Less lineages – more trait variation: phylogenetically clustered plant communities are functionally more diverse
Authors: Prinzing Andreas , Reiffers Reineke , Braakhekke Wim G. , Hennekens Stephan M. , Tackenberg Oliver , Ozinga Wim A. , Schaminée Joop H. J. , Van Groenendael Jan M.
Published: April 2008

Functional diversity within communities may influence ecosystem functioning, but which factors drive functional diversity? We hypothesize that communities assembled from many phylogenetic lineages show large functional diversity if assembly is random, but low functional diversity if assembly is controlled by interactions between species within lineages. We combined > 9000 descriptions of Dutch plant communities, a species‐level phylogeny, and information on 16 functional traits (including eight dispersal traits). We found that all traits were conserved within lineages, but nevertheless communities assembled from many lineages showed a smaller variation in trait‐states of most traits (including dispersal traits) than communities assembled from few lineages. Hence, within lineages, species are not randomly assembled into communities, contradicting Neutral Theory. In fact, we find evidence for evolutionary divergence in trait‐states as well as present‐day mutual exclusion among related, similar species, suggesting that functional diversity of communities increased due to past and present interactions between species within lineages.
Switching behavior, coexistence and diversification: comparing empirical community‐wide evidence with theoretical predictions
Authors: Carnicer Jofre , Abrams Peter A. , Jordano Pedro
Published: April 2008

Theory shows that the presence of behavioural switching between alternative resources can contribute to coexistence when competitors differ in trophic‐related traits. In addition, switching can generate disruptive selection on such traits in a low‐diversity community, increasing the number of species. Both of these processes should produce communities in which species differ in their values of the trophic trait, and display corresponding differences in the time‐course of their switching from one resource to another. Here we present evidence for widespread switching behaviour for a diverse Mediterranean scrubland bird community. We show that species differ in a beak character related to their relative use of insect and fruit resource channels, and that the timing of switching is correlated with the relative use of resources. These patterns are consistent with theoretical predictions, suggesting a possible role of switching behaviour in promoting avian coexistence and diversification.
A modification of primary closure for the treatment of pilonidal disease in day‐care setting
Authors: Muzi M. G. , Milito G. , Nigro C. , Cadeddu F. , Farinon A. M.
Published: April 2008

Aim  The best surgical technique for treating sacrococcygeal pilonidal disease (PD) is still controversial. We evaluated the outcome of a modified primary closure for the treatment of pilonidal sinus.

Method  One hundred and fifty‐two consecutive patients with PD, who underwent excision and primary closure under local anaesthesia according to our method, participated in this prospective study. The duration of operation and of hospitalization, postoperative pain, time to first mobilization, postoperative complications, time to resumption of work were assessed.

Results  The median operative time was 30 min (range: 15–40); the median postoperative pain visual analogue scale score was 1 (range 0–3). All patients were mobilized between 2 and 4 h after surgery and discharged within 10 h. Postoperative complications included eight small debridements of an infected wound (5.3%) and one case of wound dehiscence (0.6%). No recurrence was detected during a median follow‐up of 22 months (range: 10–34 months).

Conclusion  The low complication rate, near total absence of wound dehiscence, the compliance of the patients, the type of anaesthesia and the patient satisfaction makes this method effective. A randomized trial with long‐term follow‐up is warranted.
Presentation and prognosis of local recurrence after total mesorectal excision
Authors: De Chaisemartin C. , Penna C. , Goere D. , Benoist S. , Beauchet A. , Julie C. , Nordlinger B.
Published: April 2008

Objective  The aim of this study was to describe the presentation, treatment and prognosis of local recurrences following total mesorectal excision for rectal adenocarcinoma.

Method  Between 1999 and 2002, 201 patients were treated with total mesorectal excision for mid or low rectal cancer and were followed up prospectively.

Results  Overall 2‐year survival was 85%. The 2‐year recurrence rate was 8%. Eighteen patients developed local recurrence at 3–60 months.

Nine recurrences originated from the pelvic sidewall. These recurrences were symptomatic in 90% of patients. Only two patients were reoperated with a R0 resection and were alive without local recurrence after 19 and 31 months. The seven others died within 9 months.

Nine recurrences originated from an anastomotic suture line. Only two had symptoms. A R0 surgical resection was performed in all patients with a 67% sphincter conservation rate. After 26‐months of median follow‐up (range 7–58), all patients were alive.

Conclusion  Half of the local recurrence after total mesorectal excision was located at the anastomotic site. Rectoscopic examination should be performed regularly to detect these anatomotic recurrences that are accessible to a R0 itérative resection.
Rectal intussusception and unexplained faecal incontinence: findings of a proctographic study
Authors: Collinson R. , Cunningham C. , D’Costa H. , Lindsey I.
Published: April 2008

Background  The aetiology of faecal incontinence is multifactorial, yet there remains an approach to assessment and treatment that focusses on the sphincter. Rectal intussusception (RI) is underdiagnosed and manifests primarily as obstructed defecation. Yet greater than 50% of these patients admit to faecal incontinence on closer questioning. We aimed to evaluate the incidence of RI at evacuation proctography selectively undertaken in the evaluation of patients with faecal incontinence.

Method  Patients with faecal incontinence seen in a pelvic floor clinic were evaluated with anorectal physiology and ultrasound. Where the faecal incontinence was not fully explained by physiology and ultrasound, evacuation proctography was undertaken. Studies were classified as ‘normal’, ‘low‐grade RI’ (recto‐rectal), ‘high‐grade RI’ (recto‐anal) or ‘anismus’.

Results  Forty patients underwent evacuation proctography (33 women, 83%). Median age was 63 years (range 34–77 years). Seven patients (17%) had a normal proctogram. Three (8%) had recto‐rectal RI. Twenty‐five (63%) demonstrated recto‐anal RI. Five patients (12%) had anismus.

Conclusion  Recto‐anal intussusception is common in patients undergoing selective evacuation proctography for investigation of faecal incontinence. The role of recto‐anal intussusception in the multifactorial aetiology of faecal incontinence has been largely overlooked. Evacuation proctography should be considered as part of routine work‐up of patients with faecal incontinence.
Ovarian metastases from colorectal cancer: a clinicopathological analysis of 103 patients
Authors: Kim Dae D. , Park In J. , Kim Hee C. , Yu Chang S. , Kim Jin C.
Published: April 2008

Objective  To improve management of ovarian metastasis through assessment of clinicopathological features and treatment outcomes associated with ovarian metastasis from colorectal cancer.

Method  We recruited 103 subjects who were diagnosed with ovarian metastasis and subjected to surgery between June 1989 and December 2005. Clinical and pathological variables were evaluated. Survival and its associated factors were analysed with a median follow‐up of 31 months after ovarian surgery (range 1–129 months).

Results  The mean age at diagnosis was 46 years (range 14–72 years), synchronous ovarian metastasis occurred in 74 patients and metachronous in 29 patients. The primary tumour was more commonly associated with the colon rather than the rectum (84/1608, 5.2%vs 19/1534, 1.2%, P < 0.001). Combined metastases occurred in 69 patients (67%). Complete resection was achieved in 34 (33%) patients without other metastases. The estimated 5‐year disease free survival and overall survival rate were 40.1% and 26.6%, respectively. From univariate analysis, lymphovascular invasion (35.6%vs 12.8%, P = 0.034), combined metastasis (50.9%vs 15.6%, P = 0.0035) and bilaterale ovarian metastasis (36.4%vs 10.6%, P = 0.015) were identified as significant poor prognosis factors, and from multivariate analysis combined metastasis and bilaterale ovarian metastasis were significant (P = 0.034 and P = 0.015, respectively).

Conclusion  This study suggests a role for regular follow‐up computed tomography scans within 6 months postoperatively and tumour marker assays for the early detection of ovarian metastasis in premenopausal women after primary surgery, especially in colonic patients with poor prognostic factors.
Intersphincteric injected silicone biomaterial implants: a treatment for faecal incontinence
Authors: Soerensen M. M. , Lundby L. , Buntzen S. , Laurberg S.
Published: April 2008

Introduction  The aim of this study was to evaluate the functional efficacy of intersphincteric injected silicone biomaterial (PTQ™) in patients with faecal incontinence.

Method  Prospective study of 33 consecutively included patients (male–female ratio: 9:24); median age 53 years (range: 21–75 years) with faecal incontinence of varied aetiology. The PTQ™ was injected under general anaesthesia with antibiotic cover. All patients had anorectal manometry, endoanal ultrasonography and responded to faecal incontinence severity questionnaire (Wexner score) and SF‐36 short‐form health survey questionnaire before and 3 months postoperatively. At time of final follow‐up, the continence status and quality of life questionnaire were reassessed.

Results  The mean follow‐up was 12.9 months (range: 3–22 months). The Wexner Continence Score was significantly reduced short term from 12.7 to 11.0 (P = 0.03) and long term to 10.4 (P = 0.02). The long‐term effect on liquid stool incontinence continued to improve significantly (P < 0.01). Six patients (18%) reported major improvement in Wexner Continence Score at the time of final follow‐up. Anorectal manometry was not affected except for the maximum tolerable rectal volume, which was significantly reduced (P < 0.05). The SF‐36 short‐form questionnaire showed no significant improvement in quality of life after treatment with PTQ™.

Conclusions  Treatment with intersphincteric injection of PTQ™ implants can provide an improvement in anal continence in patients with faecal incontinence of varied aetiology. However, the improvement is mainly limited to soiling and minor leakage. A majority of patients still have severe incontinence, both short‐ and long‐term.
Preventing unintended proteolysis in plant protein biofactories
Authors: Benchabane Meriem , Goulet Charles , Rivard Daniel , Faye Loïc , Gomord Véronique , Michaud Dominique
Published: April 2008

Numerous reports have been published over the last decade assessing the potential of plants as useful hosts for the heterologous expression of clinically useful proteins. Significant progress has been made, in particular, in optimizing transgene transcription and translation in plants, and in elucidating the complex post‐translational modifications of proteins typical of the plant cell machinery. In this article, we address the important issue of recombinant protein degradation in plant expression platforms, which directly impacts on the final yield, homogeneity and overall quality of the resulting protein product. Unlike several more stable and structurally less complex pharmaceuticals, recombinant proteins present a natural tendency to structural heterogeneity, resulting in part from the inherent instability of polypeptide chains expressed in heterologous environments. Proteolytic processing, notably, may dramatically alter the structural integrity and overall accumulation of recombinant proteins in plant expression systems, bothin plantaduring expression andex plantaafter extraction. In this article, we describe the current strategies proposed to minimize protein hydrolysis in plant protein factories, including organ‐specific transgene expression, organelle‐specific protein targeting, the grafting of stabilizing protein domains to labile proteins, protein secretion in natural fluids and the co‐expression of companion protease inhibitors.
Changing for the better
Authors: Brown Tom , Jarrett Michael
Published: April 2008

It's hard to find any company that isn't concerned with change. But are the company and its leaders capable of changing?Michael Jarrett has pinpointed the five factors that separate the change masters from the change challenged.
Kite flying
Authors: Crainer Stuart
Published: April 2008

With 100 years of experience, the world's first national standards organization is home to one of the UK's best‐known brands. Stuart Crainer investigates the story behind the Kitemark.
Help, don't romanticize, the poor
Authors: Karnani Aneel
Published: April 2008

Aneel Karnani suggests that current thinking about reducing poverty is based on an unrealistic view of the poor and inadequate expectations about how governments can best address the problem.
Quick thinking
Authors: Vermeulen's Freek
Published: April 2008

Weblogs (or blogs) are quite the Internet rage, but it's not easy to find good ones created for managers. Freek Vermeulen's blog (http://freekvermeulen.blogspot.com/) aims to attract readers to quick musings about business and strategy. Some edited highlights of his first postings follow, and we'll be eagerly awaiting his future thoughts.
Risky business
Authors: Sola Davide , Stonham Paul
Published: April 2008

The world economy and major financial institutions have been tested by the instability rooted in sub‐prime housing loans. It's a crisis, but Davide Sola and Paul Stonham believe that things can turn for the better if securitization is better managed.
Politics of Exception and Unease: Immigration, Asylum and Terrorism in Parliamentary Debates in the UK
Authors: Huysmans Jef , Buonfino Alessandra
Published: April 2008

This article analyses how the British political elite has securitised migration and asylum since 9/11 by looking at when and how parliamentary debates linked counter-terrorism to immigration and/or asylum. The findings suggest that there is considerable reluctance within the political elite to introduce or especially sustain the connection between migration and terrorism too intensely in public debate. The parliamentary debates also show that for understanding the securitising of migration and asylum one cannot focus exclusively on the main security framing that is found in counter-terrorism debates, which we name ‘the politics of exception’. There is at least one other format, which we call ‘the politics of unease’, that is central to how the British political elite securitises migration and asylum, and contests it, in the public realm.
Imperial Liberties: Democratisation and Governance in the ‘New’ Imperial Order
Authors: Ayers Alison J.
Published: April 2008

Notions of empire and imperialism have increasingly returned to the lexicon of mainstream theorisation of the international. Much of this literature identifies a ‘new’ imperialism, distinct from the supposed postand non-imperial global(ising) order of the Westphalian state system. The article contends that such accounts occlude our understanding of the ‘long’ history of imperialism. It argues that the putatively post-imperial institutions and discourses of ‘global governance’ are internally related to ‘post-colonial’ imperialism. In particular the regime of ‘democratisation’ and the curtailing of democratic freedom constitute a principal means through which imperial rule is articulated. Despite a vast literature on ‘democratisation’, there has been a paucity of analysis which interrogates the Great Power-defined agenda of democratisation. Mainstream accounts presuppose what requires explanation, taking for granted the non-imperial character of this global project, the hegemony of a specific and impoverished model of (neo)liberal democracy, highly problematic, de-historicised notions of state, society and self and the categorical separation of the ‘domestic’ and the ‘international’. The article provides detailed substantive analysis of the endeavour by the dominant social agents of the democratisation project to constitute a (neo)liberal procedural notion of democracy in the ‘post-colonial’ world. It identifies the dominant social agents of this project and explores the theoretical underpinnings of the dominant model being propounded. Informed by this, the article examines the democratisation project according to coveted transformations in three domains: the minimal, ‘neutral’ state, the constitution of ‘civil society’ and the promotion of the liberal ‘self’. The article contends that far from an alternative to imperialism, ‘democratisation’ involves the imposition of a Western (neo)liberal procedural form of democracy on imperialised peoples. The character of the ‘informal’ imperial order is such that self-determination does not mean autonomy. Rather it means the ‘freedom’ to embrace the rules, norms and principles of the emerging (neo)liberal global order.