bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
New insights into pig taxonomy, domestication and human dispersal in Island South East Asia: molar shape analysis ofSusremains from Niah Caves, Sarawak
Authors: Cucchi T. , Fujita M. , Dobney K.
Published: June 2008

Despite the almost ubiquitous presence of HoloceneSusremains in Island South East Asia (ISEA), the domestication of pigs and their dispersal in this region remains somewhat confused. Using molar shape geometric morphometric analysis, archaeologicalSusdental series from the Sarawak caves of Niah (Aceramic, Neolithic) and Lobang Kudih (Ming period), are compared with extant ISEA wild pigs to establish their taxonomic status and to further explore the evidence for local domestication or introduction of allochthonous populations. Results on modern data‐sets show that outline analysis of the third lower molar achieves highly significant inter‐ and intra‐specific differentiation among ISEA wild pigs, with a phenotypic divergence structure displaying congruence with molecular phylogenies. Both tooth shape and mtDNA evidence strongly suggest the so‐called wild pigs of New Guinea to be the descendants of pigs domesticated in mainland South East Asia and introduced by early farmers to ISEA. None of our data provide clear evidence for a Neolithic introduction of domesticated pigs, or for the local domestication of indigenous bearded pigs, since all Aceramic and Neolithic pigs from Niah cave have been identified as indigenous bearded pig (Sus barbatus). Local domestication experiments by foragers have not been ruled out, since evidence of hypoplasia as a marker of domestication processes has been observed. Introduction of allochthonous domestic pigs between the Late Neolithic and the Metal Age is suggested, since this small domestic breed from Lobang Kudih cave displays strong phenetic relationships withS. scrofaof New Guinea, recognised by molecular phylogeography as part of the ‘Pacific Clade’ linked both with Lapita and Polynesian dispersals. Introduction ofcelebensis‐like species has also been suggested. Future studies should incorporate broader time‐scale and geographical framework data‐sets to strengthen these assumptions. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of thermal expansion on shape memory behavior of polyurethane and its nanocomposites
Authors: Gunes I. Sedat , Cao Feina , Jana Sadhan C.
Published: June 2008

The effects of thermal expansion on shape memory performance of shape memory polyurethanes and their nanocomposites with organoclay, carbon nanofiber (CNF), silicon carbide (SiC), and carbon black (CB) were evaluated. The shape memory test cycle involved tensile deformation at above the trigger temperature to initiate shape memory function, cooling to room temperature to fix the shape, and shape recovery induced by heating to above the trigger temperature. Phenomenological models were used to interpret the experimental data on coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE). It was found that Kerner model showed good fit for composites of SiC and CB, and Halpin model gave better fit for composites of organoclay and CNF. It was observed that thermal expansion exerts negative effect on recovered strain, the extent of which depends on the magnitude of temperature gradient, CTE, and the level of tensile strain. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 46: 1437–1449, 2008
Structure–property studies and orientation effects of polythiophenes containing mesogenic side chains
Authors: Radhakrishnan S. , Somanathan N. , Narasimhaswamy T.
Published: June 2008

Liquid crystalline materials display unique properties, which can be exploited in organic light emitting diodes. Polythiophene model compounds containing phenyl groups linked with azomethine, ester, and alkoxy groups [thiophene‐3‐alkyloxy benzoyloxy aniline series (N series) and thiophene‐3‐alkoxy phenoxy amino benzoate series (R Series)] were synthesized. Molecular orbital calculations were performed and the predicted band gaps compared to understand the effects of spacer length and linkage. The experimental photoabsorption characteristics are compared with the theoretically predicted band gap. Photoabsorption and emission studies on N series and R series polymers as the function of polarizer angle suggest that polymers of both series emit polarized light in all base color ranges. The electroemission characteristics of the above‐synthesized polymers were also recorded as the function of polarizer angle. The results show that the compounds also emit polarized electroemission, and the EL polarization ratio decreases with the increase of alkoxy chain length for N and R polymers. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 46: 1463–1477, 2008
Sequence variants of α‐methylacyl‐CoA racemase are associated with prostate cancer risk: A replication study in an ethnically homogeneous population
Authors: FitzGerald Liesel M. , Thomson Russell , Polanowski Andrea , Patterson Briony , McKay James D. , Stankovich James , Dickinson Joanne L.
Published: June 2008

BACKGROUND

Examination of variants of the α‐methylacyl‐CoA racemase (AMACR) gene, as genetic contributors to prostate cancer risk, has been of considerable interest given the gene's recently established role as a diagnostic biomarker for prostate cancer.

METHODS

The AMACR gene variants, M9V and D175G, were genotyped in a familial dataset comprising 127 cases and in a second sporadic prostate cancer dataset comprising 414 cases and 319 controls. Genotype‐disease associations were examined employing the MQLS test and unconditional logistic regression. Differences in allele frequencies were examined using the Fisher's exact test. Association between the AMACR haplotypes and prostate cancer risk was also investigated using haplo.score.

RESULTS

Significant evidence for association with prostate cancer risk for both the M9V and D175G variants was observed in the Tasmanian prostate cancer dataset. Whilst this association remained significant, it was diminished when relatedness amongst the familial prostate cancer cases was considered.

CONCLUSION

This study, performed in a relatively genetically homogenous Tasmanian population, provides further evidence for a significant association between variants within the AMACR gene and prostate cancer risk. Risk was found to be more significantly associated with AMACR gene variants in sporadic compared to familial prostate cancer cases. These findings again highlight that genetic heterogeneity in the study population should be considered when examining genetic risk factors in prostate cancer. Prostate 68: 1373–1379, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A secure business framework for file purchasing in vehicular networks
Authors: Yuan Shuang , Zhang Chenxi , Ho Pin‐Han
Published: June 2008

Vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs) are gaining growing interest from both industry and academia. The primitive objective of VANETs is to enhance the road safety for public transportation systems through dedicated short range communications (DSRC) protocol. In addition to the powerful radios and abundant spectrums, DSRC also paves the way for VANETs to support numerous emerging Internet‐related applications. In this paper, we introduce a promising commercial application which allows each vehicle to purchase file/data through a roadside unit (RSU). Due to the high mobility of vehicles, the contact period between an RSU and a vehicle could be insufficient to download the complete file. Thus, in the proposed file purchasing systems, once a vehicle in the process of downloading a file leaves the transmission range of the RSU, its neighboring vehicles with a piece of the file can cooperatively help to complete the file transfer via vehicle‐to‐vehicle (V2V) communications. Such a commercial file purchasing system can obviously initiate a new application scenario; however, it cannot be put into practice unless the security issues, such as the user privacy, incentives for inter‐vehicle cooperation, and the copyright protection for∼the file content, are well addressed. In order to deal with these security issues, we develop a secure framework for the file purchasing system in VANETs. Performance evaluation will be conducted to verify the proposed scheme. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Enzymatic Cleavage of Nucleic Acids on Gold Nanoparticles: A Generic Platform for Facile Colorimetric Biosensors
Authors: Zhao Weian , Lam Jeffrey C. F. , Chiuman William , Brook Michael A. , Li Yingfu
Published: June 2008

The enzymatic cleavage of nucleic acids (DNA or DNA with a single RNA linkage) on well‐dispersed gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) is exploited in the design of facile colorimetric biosensors. The assays are performed at salt concentrations such that DNA‐modified AuNPs are barely stabilized by the electrostatic and steric stabilization. Enzymatic cleavage of DNA chains on the AuNP surface destabilizes the AuNPs, resulting in a rapid aggregation driven by van der Waals attraction, and a red‐to‐purple color change. Two different systems are chosen, DNase I (a DNA endonuclease) and 8‐17 (a Pb2+‐depedent RNA‐cleaving DNAzyme), to demonstrate the utility of our assay for the detection of metal ions and sensing enzyme activities. Compared with previous studies in which AuNP aggregates are converted into dispersed AuNPs by enzymatic cleavage of DNA crosslinkers, the present assay is technically simpler. Moreover, the accessibility of DNA to biomolecular recognition elements (e.g. enzymes) on well‐dispersed AuNPs in our assay appears to be higher than that embedded inside aggregates. This biosensing system should be readily adaptable to other enzymes or substrates for detection of analytes such as small molecules, proteases and their inhibitors.
Spatial distribution of lichens on twigs in remote Siberian silver fir forests indicates changing atmospheric conditions
Authors: OTNYUKOVA T. N. , SEKRETENKO O. P.
Published: June 2008

The distribution of different ecological groups of lichens (acidophytes, ‘nitrophytes’, indifferent species) was compared on 1–24 year-old twigs of Abies sibirica sampled in the ‘pristine’ West Sayan and the polluted East Sayan Mountains (Krasnoyarsk District, South Siberia, Russia) to test their value as indicators of current pollution effects. Bark pH of twigs and bark chemistry (N, S, Ca, Mg, Al, Fe) were measured, and a preliminary estimate of emissions in the Krasnoyarsk District from livestock animal populations was calculated. In both regions, an unusually high twig bark pH and an abnormal species composition for A. sibirica canopy were found (e.g. Physcia aipolia, P. dubia, P. tenella, Phaeophyscia sp., Melanelia exasperatula and Candelariella vitellina), with P. tenella (East Sayan) and M. exasperatula (West Sayan) as dominants. The results confirm that the distribution of lichen species on Abies sibirica twigs is a valuable indicator of current changes in atmospheric conditions.
Observations on lichenicolous fungi described by Spegazzini
Authors: ETAYO Javier , ROSATO Vilma G.
Published: June 2008

We have studied and tried to clarify the application of names of all the lichenicolous fungi described by Carlos Spegazzinii. Several of these names have not previously been treated by mycologists currently specializing in lichenicolous fungi. Verruculina gen. nov. is introduced with V. sigmatospora (Speg.) Etayo (syn. Metanectria sigmatospora) as type, and the new combination Scutula nephromatis (Speg.) Etayo (syn. Patellea nephromatis) is made. Material of several species, Diplosporium caudatum (on Punctelia), Pleurotus lichenicolus (on Usnea), Pyrenopeziza lichenicola (on Flavoparmelia), Selenosporium lichenicola (on Candelaria) and Vermiculariella lichenicolum (on Physcia and Peltigera), could not be located in Spegazzini’s collections in La Plata (LPS), therefore these names remain to be clarified.
Additions and corrections to the lichens of Heard Island
Authors: ØVSTEDAL D.O. , GREMMEN N. J. M.
Published: June 2008

Nineteen lichens new to sub-Antarctic Heard Island are recorded. Three species are described as new: Gyalideopsis heardense Øvstedal, Mycobilimbia subbyssoidea Øvstedal and Psoroma absconditum Øvstedal. Altogether the total number of lichen species recorded on the island is now 90.
Paul après Paul: une histoire de réception
Authors: MARGUERAT DANIEL
Published: June 2008

The article addresses the problem of the reception of Paul: how does the construction of the image of Paul in the Deuteropauline letters (Colossians, Ephesians, 2 Thessalonians), the Pastoral letters, the Acts of the Apostles and the apocryphal Acts of Paul relate together? The difficult question of the relationship between Paul in his letters and Paul in Acts is treated first. A typology of the reception of Paul is proposed following three poles: documentary (his letters), biographical (his life) and doctoral (his permanent authority for the Church). The conception that Paul's letters were the only regulation for the memory of Paul in the first century is denied. This three poles typology is applied to some topics of the Pauline tradition: the status of the apostle, the suffering of the apostle, and his teaching. It is possible to observe finally how the writings which honor the memory of the apostle have interpreted these topics by working out a feature present in the writings of the apostle.
Review on immunosenescence
Authors: Ginaldi Lia , Mengoli Lucia Paola , De Martinis Massimo
Published: June 2008

The improvements of socio-environmental conditions, medical care and quality of life have caused a general improvement in the health status of the population and a consequent reduction of morbidity and mortality, resulting in an overall increased life-expectancy. The role of immunosenescence was negligible in the past, when the human lifespan was 40–50 years, and its impact on morbidity and mortality has emerged in combination with the extension of lifespan. Immunosenescence results from multifactorial processes that act on all components of the immune system. The changes associated with immunosenescence are playing an increasingly important role in the emergence of a series of age-related pathologies, conditioning the present epidemiology of old people.
Self-poisoning by the older person: a review
Authors: Sandilands E A , Bateman D N
Published: June 2008

Suicide is a major health issue worldwide and is among the top ten causes of death in many countries. Much research, media attention and public health initiatives are focused on reducing the suicide rate among adolescents and young adults. In many countries, however, it is the elderly population with the greatest number of suicides, the majority of which die by drug overdose. This is commonly explained by an increased suicidal intent among older people due to co-morbidity and social isolation. The physical vulnerability of elderly people to potential toxins however is also likely to play an important role. This review examines the epidemiology of elderly suicide, considers commonly implicated drugs, and discusses associated risk factors in this complex and multifactorial problem.
Experimental evidence for a link among cupredoxins: Red, blue, and purple copper transformations in nitrous oxide reductase
Authors: Savelieff Masha G. , Wilson Tiffany D. , Elias Youssef , Nilges Mark J. , Garner Dewain K. , Lu Yi
Published: June 2008

The cupredoxin fold is an important motif in numerous proteins that are central to several critical cellular processes ranging from aerobic and anaerobic respiration to catalysis and iron homeostasis. Three types of copper sites have been found to date within cupredoxin folds: blue type 1 (T1) copper, red type 2 (T2) copper, and purple Cu
A
. Although as much as 90% sequence difference has been observed among some members of this superfamily of proteins that span several kingdoms, sequence alignment and phylogenic trees strongly suggest an evolutionary link and common ancestry. However, experimental evidence for such a link has been lacking. We report herein the observation of pH-dependent transformation between blue T1 copper, red T2 copper, and the native purple Cu
A
centers of nitrous oxide reductase (N
2
OR) from
Paracoccus denitrificans
. The blue and red copper centers form initially before they are transformed into purple Cu
A
center. This transformation process is pH-dependent, with lower pH resulting in fewer trapped T1 and T2 coppers and faster transition to purple Cu
A
. These observations suggest that the purple Cu
A
site contains the essential elements of T1 and T2 copper centers and that the Cu
A
center is preferentially formed at low pH. Therefore, this work provides an underlying link between the various cupredoxin copper sites and possible experimental evidence
in vitro
for the evolutionary relationship between the cupredoxin proteins. The findings also lend physiological relevance to cupredoxin site biosynthesis.
Calmodulin-dependent gating of Ca
v
1.2 calcium channels in the absence of Ca
v
β subunits
Authors: Ravindran Arippa , Lao Qi Zong , Harry Jo Beth , Abrahimi Parwiz , Kobrinsky Evgeny , Soldatov Nikolai M.
Published: June 2008

It is generally accepted that to generate calcium currents in response to depolarization, Ca
v
1.2 calcium channels require association of the pore-forming α
1C
subunit with accessory Ca
v
β and α
2
δ subunits. A single calmodulin (CaM) molecule is tethered to the C-terminal α
1C
-LA/IQ region and mediates Ca
2+
-dependent inactivation of the channel. Ca
v
β subunits are stably associated with the α
1C
-interaction domain site of the cytoplasmic linker between internal repeats I and II and also interact dynamically, in a Ca
2+
-dependent manner, with the α
1C
-IQ region. Here, we describe a surprising discovery that coexpression of exogenous CaM (CaM
ex
) with α
1C
/α
2
δ in COS1 cells in the absence of Ca
v
β subunits stimulates the plasma membrane targeting of α
1C
, facilitates calcium channel gating, and supports Ca
2+
-dependent inactivation. Neither real-time PCR with primers complementary to monkey Ca
v
β subunits nor coimmunoprecipitation analysis with exogenous α
1C
revealed an induction of endogenous Ca
v
β subunits that could be linked to the effect of CaM
ex
. Coexpression of a calcium-insensitive CaM mutant CaM
1234
also facilitated gating of Ca
v
β-free Ca
v
1.2 channels but did not support Ca
2+
-dependent inactivation. Our results show there is a functional matchup between CaM
ex
and Ca
v
β subunits that, in the absence of Ca
v
β, renders Ca
2+
channel gating facilitated by CaM molecules other than the one tethered to LA/IQ to support Ca
2+
-dependent inactivation. Thus, coexpression of CaM
ex
creates conditions when the channel gating, voltage- and Ca
2+
-dependent inactivation, and plasma-membrane targeting occur in the absence of Ca
v
β. We suggest that CaM
ex
affects specific Ca
v
β-free conformations of the channel that are not available to endogenous CaM.
Modeling promoter grammars with evolving hidden Markov models
Authors: Won Kyoung-Jae , Sandelin Albin , Marstrand Troels Torben , Krogh Anders
Published: June 2008

Motivation: Describing and modeling biological features of eukaryotic promoters remains an important and challenging problem within computational biology. The promoters of higher eukaryotes in particular display a wide variation in regulatory features, which are difficult to model. Often several factors are involved in the regulation of a set of co-regulated genes. If so, promoters can be modeled with connected regulatory features, where the network of connections is characteristic for a particular mode of regulation.

Results: With the goal of automatically deciphering such regulatory structures, we present a method that iteratively evolves an ensemble of regulatory grammars using a hidden Markov Model (HMM) architecture composed of interconnected blocks representing transcription factor binding sites (TFBSs) and background regions of promoter sequences. The ensemble approach reduces the risk of overfitting and generally improves performance. We apply this method to identify TFBSs and to classify promoters preferentially expressed in macrophages, where it outperforms other methods due to the increased predictive power given by the grammar.

Availability: The software and the datasets are available from http://modem.ucsd.edu/won/eHMM.tar.gz

Contact:  krogh@binf.ku.dk

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Optimal vaccination schedules using simulated annealing
Authors: Pennisi Marzio , Catanuto Roberto , Pappalardo Francesco , Motta Santo
Published: June 2008

Summary: Since few years the problem of finding optimal solutions for drug or vaccine protocols have been tackled using system biology modeling. These approaches are usually computationally expensive. Our previous experiences in optimizing vaccine or drug protocols using genetic algorithms required the use of a high performance computing infrastructure for a couple of days. In the present article we show that by an appropriate use of a different optimization algorithm, the simulated annealing, we have been able to downsize the computational effort by a factor102. The new algorithm requires computational effort that can be achieved by current generation personal computers.

Availability: Software and additional data can be found at http://www.immunomics.eu/SA/

Contact:  francesco@dmi.unict.it
The case for artificial black holes
Authors: Leonhardt Ulf , Philbin Thomas G
Published: June 2008

The event horizon is predicted to generate particles from the quantum vacuum, an effect that bridges three areas of physics—general relativity, quantum mechanics and thermodynamics. The quantum radiation of real black holes is too feeble to be detectable, but black-hole analogues may probe several aspects of quantum black holes. In this paper, we explain in simple terms some of the motivations behind the study of artificial black holes.
Magnetic fields in the aftermath of phase transitions
Authors: Vachaspati Tanmay
Published: June 2008

The COSLAB effort has focused on the formation of topological defects during phase transitions. Yet there is another potentially interesting signature of cosmological phase transitions, which also deserves study in the laboratory. This is the generation of magnetic fields during phase transitions. In particular, cosmological phase transitions that also lead to preferential production of matter over antimatter (‘baryogenesis’) are expected to produce helical (left-handed) magnetic fields. The study of analogous processes in the laboratory can yield important insight into the production of helical magnetic fields, and the observation of such fields in the Universe can be invaluable for both particle physics and cosmology.
Annihilation of an AB/BA interface pair in superfluid helium-3 as a simulation of cosmological brane interaction
Authors: Ian Bradley D , Fisher Shaun N , Guénault Anthony M , Haley Richard P , Kopu Juha , Martin Hazel , Pickett George R , Roberts John E , Tsepelin Viktor
Published: June 2008

This study presents measurements of the transport of quasiparticle excitations in the B phase of superfluid
3
He at temperatures below 0.2
T
c
. We find that creating and then removing a layer of A-phase superfluid leads to a measurable increase in the thermal impedance of the background B phase. This increase must be due to the survival of defects created as the AB and BA interfaces on either side of the A-phase layer annihilate. We speculate that a new type of defect may have been formed. The highly ordered A–B interface may be a good analogy for branes discussed in current cosmology. If so, these experiments may provide insight into how the annihilation of branes can lead to the formation of topological defects such as cosmic strings.
Quantum fluctuations in the time-dependent BCS–BEC crossover
Authors: Breid B.M , Anglin J.R
Published: June 2008

We describe the time-dependent formation of a molecular Bose–Einstein condensate from a BCS state of fermionic atoms as a result of slow sweeping through a Feshbach resonance. We apply a path integral approach for the molecules, and use two-body adiabatic approximations to solve the atomic evolution in the presence of the classical molecular fields, obtaining an effective action for the molecules. In the narrow resonance limit, the problem becomes semiclassical, and we discuss the growth of the molecular condensate in the saddle point approximation. Considering this time-dependent process as an analogue of the cosmological Zurek scenario, we compare the way condensate growth is driven in this rigorous theory with its phenomenological description via time-dependent Ginzburg–Landau theory.
Emerging stem cell concepts for imatinib‐resistant chronic myeloid leukaemia: implications for the biology, management, and therapy of the disease
Authors: Valent Peter
Published: June 2008

Chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) is a myeloid neoplasm defined by the BCR/ABL oncoprotein that is considered essential for leukaemogenesis and accumulation of neoplastic cells. The BCR/ABL kinase inhibitor imatinib is an effective agent in most patients and can now be regarded as front‐line therapy. Hence, intrinsic and acquired resistance to imatinib has been described and is an emerging challenge in clinical practice. While CML stem cells display primary resistance, stem cell subclones may, in addition, acquire imatinib‐resistant mutants of BCR/ABL. Other factors that are considered to contribute to stem cell resistance include the genetic background, clonal evolution, additional biological features of subclones, gene amplifications, silencing of tumour suppressor genes and specific pharmacological aspects. In this article, mechanisms of resistance of CML (stem) cells against imatinib and other BCR/ABL inhibitors are discussed, together with strategies to overcome and/or to prevent resistance with available drugs or novel anti‐leukaemic approaches.
Molecular pathways in myelodysplastic syndromes and acute myeloid leukemia: relationships and distinctions–a review
Authors: Bernasconi Paolo
Published: June 2008

The myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) are both hematopoietic stem cell disorders. However, while leukemic stem cells have been revealed by clonal tracking experiments, dysplastic stem cells have never been demonstrated by xeno‐transplantation assays because of poor engraftment problems. These engraftment difficulties may be due to the unique nature of MDS genetic lesions that are truly able to recapitulate the disease phenotype. MDS and AML of younger patients harbour clonal yet different chromosomal markers, whereas MDS and AML of the elderly present similar defects. Potential involvement of tumor suppressor genes in MDS has been hypothesized but never confirmed, while cooperation between class I and class II mutations has been identified in AML. The reciprocal interactions between stromal cells and neoplastic clones are disrupted in both MDS and AML. In early MDS, stromal and neoplastic cells produce high levels of inhibitory cytokines, whereas in advanced MDS and AML they produce high levels of anti‐apoptotic molecules.
Atypical cells in the urinary sediment: a protocol for cytological analysis of the urinary sediment
Authors: Fernández‐Aceñero M. J. , Lorence D. , Criado L. , Aguirregoicoa E.
Published: June 2008

Introduction:  The Department of Clinical Chemistry of the General Hospital of Móstoles (Madrid, Spain) has for many years diagnosed the presence of atypical cells in the urinary sediment (ACUS), but this finding only led to a comment in the final report of the urinalysis, informing the clinician of this fact in case he/she decided to perform further studies in these patients.

Methods:  Since 2004, the Clinical Chemistry Department has implemented a new protocol together with the Department of Surgical Pathology of the Hospital, according to which all the urinary sediment samples with ACUS are sent for cytological analysis. In this report, we comment on the results corresponding to 99 samples.

Results:  With this new strategy, we can directly diagnose if the ACUS correspond to a carcinoma or to another process, and this has allowed us to reduce time until diagnosis in our patients and also to avoid unnecessary studies in negative cases. We comment on our results with this new management strategy.
The use of a psychological intervention to increase adherence during factor administration in a child with haemophilia
Authors: PENICA S. , WILLIAMS K. E.
Published: June 2008

Summary.  While factor replacement treatments allow children with haemophilia to lead near normal lives, these treatments can be difficult to administer, especially to younger children. The intervenous infusions required by these treatments can be painful and result in children attempting to avoid treatment by exhibiting a range of inappropriate behaviours. Their children’s uncooperative behaviour during prophylaxis was cited by parents as a significant barrier to treatment adherence. This study provides a case illustration of the use of psychological interventions to increase adherence during factor administration. Single‐case methodology was used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the psychological interventions including counterconditioning, distraction, and positive differential reinforcement. The intervention resulted in increased adherence across several months of intervention. Psychological interventions can be effectively used by caregivers and care providers to increase adherence in the treatment of haemophilia.
Effects of secondary prophylaxis started in adolescent and adult haemophiliacs
Authors: TAGLIAFERRI A. , FRANCHINI M. , COPPOLA A. , RIVOLTA G. F. , SANTORO C. , ROSSETTI G. , FEOLA G. , ZANON E. , DRAGANI A. , IANNACCARO P. , RADOSSI P. , MANNUCCI P. M.
Published: June 2008

Summary.  While primary prophylaxis is a well‐established and recommended method of care delivery for children with severe haemophilia, fewer studies have documented the benefits of secondary prophylaxis started in adolescence or adulthood. To evaluate the role of secondary prophylaxis started in adolescent and adult severe haemophiliacs, a retrospective observational cohort study was conducted in 10 Italian Centres that investigated 84 haemophiliacs who had bled frequently and had thus switched from on‐demand to prophylactic treatment during adolescence (n = 30) or adulthood (n = 54). The consumption of clotting factor concentrates, the orthopaedic and radiological scores, quality of life and disease‐related morbidity were compared before and after starting secondary prophylaxis. Prophylaxis reduced the mean annual number of total and joint bleeds (35.8 vs. 4.2 and 32.4 vs. 3.3; P < 0.01) and of days lost from work/school (34.6 vs. 3.0, P < 0.01). A statistically significant reduction in the orthopaedic score was observed during prophylaxis in adolescents, but not in the whole cohort. Patients used more factor concentrates with corresponding higher costs on prophylaxis, but experienced a better quality of life. With respect to on‐demand treatment, higher factor consumption and cost of secondary prophylaxis were balanced by marked clinical benefits and greater well‐being in this cohort of adolescent/adult haemophiliacs.
Nerve growth factor receptor (p75NTR) and pattern of invasion predict poor prognosis in oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Søland T M , Brusevold I J , Koppang H S , Schenck K , Bryne M
Published: June 2008

Aims:  To evaluate the expression of p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The results were related to tumour node metastasis (TNM) stage, World Health Organization (WHO) grade, invasive front grading (IFG) and prognosis.

Methods and results:  Immunohistochemically, the expression of p75NTR was assessed in 53 T1‐T2 OSCCs. Clinical data were recorded prospectively. The end‐point was disease‐free survival. All tumours expressed p75NTR, and this expression, both in central/superficial tumour areas and at the invasive front, was associated with poor prognosis (P = 0.03 and P = 0.02) (log rank test). Tumours with marked cellular dissociation (IFG parameter) had more recurrences than tumours with collective tumour cell invasion (P = 0.03). In tumours showing both p75NTR at the invasive front and marked tumour cell dissociation, the average risk of recurrence was increased about 17 times (Cox regression analysis) compared with tumours with low p75NTR expression and collective invasion. Traditional prognostic systems were of no prognostic significance.

Conclusion:  p75NTR was expressed in all OSCCs. p75NTR expression and the pattern of invasion were significantly associated with a poor prognosis in OSCCs, and both were better prognostic factors than traditional prognostic parameters. The combination of p75NTR expression and the pattern of invasion strongly increased precision in the identification of tumours with poor disease‐free survival.
Turnover of bone marrow‐derived cells in the irradiated mouse cornea
Authors: Chinnery Holly R. , Humphries Timothy , Clare Adam , Dixon Ariane E. , Howes Kristen , Moran Caitlin B. , Scott Danielle , Zakrzewski Marianna , Pearlman Eric , McMenamin Paul G.
Published: June 2008

In light of an increasing awareness of the presence of bone marrow (BM)‐derived macrophages in the normal cornea and their uncertain role in corneal diseases, it is important that the turnover rate of these resident immune cells be established. The baseline density and distribution of macrophages in the corneal stroma was investigated in Cx3cr1gfp transgenic mice in which all monocyte‐derived cells express enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP). To quantify turnover, BM‐derived cells from transgenic eGFP mice were transplanted into whole‐body irradiated wild‐type recipients. Additionally, wild‐type BM‐derived cells were injected into irradiated Cx3cr1+/gfp recipients, creating reverse chimeras. At 2, 4 and 8 weeks post‐reconstitution, the number of eGFP+ cells in each corneal whole mount was calculated using epifluorescence microscopy, immunofluorescence staining and confocal microscopy. The total density of myeloid‐derived cells in the normal Cx3cr1+/gfp cornea was 366 cells/mm2. In BM chimeras 2 weeks post‐reconstitution, 24% of the myeloid‐derived cells had been replenished and were predominantly located in the anterior stroma. By 8 weeks post‐reconstitution 75% of the myeloid‐derived cells had been replaced and these cells were distributed uniformly throughout the stroma. All donor eGFP+ cells expressed low to moderate levels of CD45 and CD11b, with approximately 25% coexpressing major histocompatibility complex class II, a phenotype characteristic of previous descriptions of corneal stromal macrophages. In conclusion, 75% of the myeloid‐derived cells in the mouse corneal stroma are replenished after 8 weeks. These data provide a strong basis for functional investigations of the role of resident stromal macrophages versus non‐haematopoietic cells using BM chimeric mice in models of corneal inflammation.
The first magnetic maps of a pre-main-sequence binary star system – HD 155555
Authors: Dunstone N. J. , Hussain G. A. J. , Collier Cameron A. , Marsden S. C. , Jardine M. , Stempels H. C. , Ramirez Vlez J. C. , Donati J.-F.
Published: June 2008

We present the first maps of the surface magnetic fields of a pre-main-sequence binary system. Spectropolarimetric observations of the young, 18 Myr, HD 155555 (V824 Ara, G5IV+K0IV) system were obtained at the Anglo-Australian Telescope in 2004 and 2007. Both data sets are analysed using a new binary Zeeman–Doppler imaging (ZDI) code. This allows us to simultaneously model the contribution of each component to the observed circularly polarized spectra. Stellar brightness maps are also produced for HD 155555 and compared to previous Doppler images.

Our radial magnetic maps reveal a complex surface magnetic topology with mixed polarities at all latitudes. We find rings of azimuthal field on both stars, most of which are found to be non-axisymmetric with the stellar rotational axis. We also examine the field strength and the relative fraction of magnetic energy stored in the radial and azimuthal field components at both epochs. A marked weakening of the field strength of the secondary star is observed between the 2004 and 2007 epochs. This is accompanied by an apparent shift in the location of magnetic energy from the azimuthal to radial field. We suggest that this could be indicative of a magnetic activity cycle. We use the radial magnetic maps to extrapolate the coronal field (by assuming a potential field) for each star individually – at present ignoring any possible interaction. The secondary star is found to exhibit an extreme tilt (≈75°) of its large-scale magnetic field to that of its rotation axis for both epochs. The field complexity that is apparent in the surface maps persists out to a significant fraction of the binary separation. Any interaction between the fields of the two stars is therefore likely to be complex also. Modelling this would require a full binary field extrapolation.
Stomatal responses to humidity in isolated epidermes
Authors: SHOPE JOSEPH C. , PEAK DAVID , MOTT KEITH A.
Published: June 2008

The ability of guard cells to hydrate and dehydrate from the surrounding air was investigated using isolated epidermes of Tradescantia pallida and Vicia faba. Stomata were found to respond to the water vapour pressure on the outside and inside of the epidermis, but the response was more sensitive to the inside vapour pressure, and occurred in the presence or absence of living, turgid epidermal cells. Experiments using helium–oxygen air showed that guard cells hydrated and dehydrated entirely from water vapour, suggesting that there was no significant transfer of water from the epidermal tissue to the guard cells. The stomatal aperture achieved at any given vapour pressure was shown to be consistent with water potential equilibrium between the guard cells and the air near the bottom of the stomatal pore, and water vapour exchange through the external cuticle appeared to be unimportant for the responses. Although stomatal responses to humidity in isolated epidermes are the result of water potential equilibrium between the guard cells and the air near the bottom of the stomatal pore, stomatal responses to humidity in leaves are unlikely to be the result of a similar equilibrium.
AtRECQ2, a RecQ helicase homologue from Arabidopsis thaliana, is able to disrupt various recombinogenic DNA structures in vitro
Authors: Kobbe Daniela , Blanck Sandra , Demand Katharina , Focke Manfred , Puchta Holger
Published: June 2008

RecQ helicases play an important role in the maintenance of genomic stability in pro‐ and eukaryotes. This is highlighted by the human genetic diseases Werner, Bloom’s and Rothmund–Thomson syndrome, caused by respective mutations in three of the five human RECQ genes. The highest numbers of RECQ homologous genes are found in plants, e.g. seven in Arabidopsis thaliana. However, only limited information is available on the functions of plant RecQ helicases, and no biochemical characterization has been performed. Here, we demonstrate that AtRECQ2 is a (d)NTP‐dependent 3′→5′ DNA helicase. We further characterized its basal properties and its action on various partial DNA duplexes. Importantly, we demonstrate that AtRECQ2 is able to disrupt recombinogenic structures: by disrupting various D‐loop structures, AtRECQ2 may prevent non‐productive recombination events on the one hand, and may channel repair processes into non‐recombinogenic pathways on the other hand, thus facilitating genomic stability. We show that a synthetic partially mobile Holliday junction is processed towards splayed‐arm products, possibly indicating a branch migration function for AtRECQ2. The biochemical properties defined in this work support the hypothesis that AtRECQ2 might be functionally orthologous to the helicase part of the human RecQ homologue HsWRN.
Effect of gestational smoke exposure on atopic dermatitis in the offspring
Authors: Wang I‐Jen , Hsieh Wu‐Shiun , Wu Kuen‐Yuh , Guo Yueliang Leon , Hwang Yaw‐Huei , Jee Shiou‐Hwa , Chen Pau‐Chung
Published: June 2008

The adverse impact of smoking on respiratory diseases and birth outcomes in children is well‐known. However, the influence of smoke exposure including environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) and maternal smoking during pregnancy on atopic dermatitis (AD) is not clear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of gestational smoke exposure on the development of AD in the offspring on the basis of the maternal and cord blood cotinine. We recruited 261 mother and newborn pairs in 2004. Cord blood and information on perinatal factors of children were gathered at birth. At 2 yr of age, information about development of AD and environmental exposures were collected. We compared AD with non‐AD children for the concentration of cotinine in cord and maternal blood measured by high performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. Multiple logistic regressions were performed to estimate the relationship of cotinine levels and AD. About 150 mother and child pairs completed the follow‐up study and specimen collection with 38 (25.3%) children developing AD. Two (1.3%) out of 150 mothers smoked during pregnancy, while 38 (25.3%) mothers reported having ETS exposure. Cotinine levels in cord blood and maternal blood were highly correlated (r = 0.71, p < 0.001). The risk of AD was found to increase with maternal and cord blood cotinine levels in a dose–response manner (p for trend = 0.01). Children exposed to high levels (>75th percentile) had a significantly increased risk of AD. Smoke exposure during pregnancy might increase the risk of AD in children. Avoidance of prenatal smoke exposure may be warranted for early prevention.
Efficacy and safety of low‐pressured and short‐time dilation in endoscopic papillary balloon dilation for bile duct stone removal
Authors: Tsujino Takeshi , Kawabe Takao , Isayama Hiroyuki , Sasaki Takashi , Kogure Hirofumi , Togawa Osamu , Arizumi Toshihiko , Ito Yukiko , Matsubara Saburo , Yamamoto Natsuyo , Nakai Yousuke , Sasahira Naoki , Hirano Kenji , Toda Nobuo , Komatsu Yutaka , Tada Minoru , Yoshida Haruhiko , Omata Masao
Published: June 2008

Background and Aim:  Endoscopic papillary balloon dilation (EPBD) has been advocated as an alternative therapy to endoscopic sphincterotomy for bile duct stones. However, studies have shown that EPBD may increase the risk for pancreatitis. Pancreatitis after EPBD is believed to be related to papillary damage after balloon dilation. We changed the dilation method to a theoretically less hazardous one. This modified dilation method was compared with the initial method.

Methods:  A total of 324 patients with bile duct stones underwent EPBD by the modified method between June 1999 and June 2003. Three hundred and twenty‐four patients undergoing EPBD by the initial method served as a historical control group. The success rate of stone removal and the incidence of procedure‐related pancreatitis were compared between the two groups. In the modified method, the balloon was inflated until disappearance of the balloon waist, and the pressure was then maintained for 15 s. In the initial method, the balloon was inflated at 8 atmospheres for 2 min.

Results:  Bile duct stones were successfully removed in 313 of 324 patients (96.6%) in the modified group and in 314 of 324 patients (96.9%) in the initial group (not significant). The incidence of postprocedure pancreatitis showed a lower tendency in the modified group (4.0%, 13/324) than in the initial group (7.4%, 24/324) (P‐value = 0.0626). The severity of pancreatitis was significantly reduced in the modified group.

Conclusion:  The modified method of EPBD is feasible for extraction of bile duct stones, and may potentially decrease the incidence of severe post‐EPBD pancreatitis.
Liver fat is reproducibly measured using computed tomography in the Framingham Heart Study
Authors: Speliotes Elizabeth K , Massaro Joseph M , Hoffmann Udo , Foster Meredith C , Sahani Dushyant V , Hirschhorn Joel N , O'Donnell Christopher J , Fox Caroline S
Published: June 2008

Background and Aims:  Fatty liver is the hepatic manifestation of obesity, but community‐based assessment of fatty liver among unselected patients is limited. We sought to determine the feasibility of and optimal protocol for quantifying fat content in the liver in the Framingham Heart Study using multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) scanning.

Methods:  Participants (n = 100, 49% women, mean age 59.4 years, mean body mass index 27.8 kg/m2) were drawn from the Framingham Heart Study cohort. Two readers measured the attenuation of the liver, spleen, paraspinal muscles, and an external standard from MDCT scans using multiple slices in chest and abdominal scans.

Results:  The mean measurement variation was larger within a single axial computed tomography (CT) slice than between multiple axial CT slices for the liver and spleen, whereas it was similar for the paraspinal muscles. Measurement variation in the liver, spleen, and paraspinal muscles was smaller in the abdomen than in the chest. Three versus six measures of attenuation in the liver and two versus three measures in the spleen gave reproducible measurements of tissue attenuation (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICCC] of 1 in the abdomen). Intrareader and interreader reproducibility (ICCC) of the liver‐to‐spleen ratio was 0.98 and 0.99, the liver‐to‐phantom ratio was 0.99 and 0.99, and the liver‐to‐muscle ratio was 0.93 and 0.86, respectively.

Conclusion:  One cross‐sectional slice is adequate to capture the majority of variance of fat content in the liver per individual. Abdominal scan measures as compared to chest scan measures of fat content in the liver are more precise. The measurement of fat content in the liver on MDCT scans is feasible and reproducible.
619. LOTUS MACULATUS
Authors: Hind Nicholas
Published: June 2008

SummaryThe name ‘Lotus maculatusBreitf.’ is shown not to have been validly published when Breitfeld first provided her description in 1973. The species, a critically endangered endemic of Tenerife in the Canary Islands, is described here, and the holotype selected. The plant is illustrated in colour, provided with line drawings of dissections, described in detail, and aspects of its relationships, cultivation and biology discussed.
THOUGHT, LANGUAGE, AND THE ARGUMENT FROM EXPLICITNESS
Authors: VICENTE AGUSTÍN , MARTÍNEZ‐MANRIQUE FERNANDO
Published: June 2008

Abstract: This article deals with the relationship between language and thought, focusing on the question of whether language can be a vehicle of thought, as, for example, Peter Carruthers has claimed. We develop and examine a powerful argument—the “argument from explicitness”—against this cognitive role of language. The premises of the argument are just two: (1) the vehicle of thought has to be explicit, and (2) natural languages are not explicit. We explain what these simple premises mean and why we should believe they are true. Finally, we argue that even though the argument from explicitness shows that natural language cannot be a vehicle of thought, there is a cognitive function for language.
PRIVATE PROPERTY AND ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS:
Authors: HALE BENJAMIN
Published: June 2008

Abstract: This article argues that teachers of environmental ethics must more aggressively entertain questions of private property in their work and in their teaching. To make this case, it first introduces the three primary positions on property: occupation arguments, labor theory of value arguments, and efficiency arguments. It then contextualizes these arguments in light of the contemporary U.S. wise‐use movement, in an attempt to make sense of the concerns that motivate wise‐use activists, and also to demonstrate how intrinsic value arguments miss the mark. Finally, it offers some suggestions about further directions for environmental ethics, reasoning that there is a good deal of headway to be gained for environmental ethics by accepting that nature can be owned as property, but nevertheless engaging the idea of private property critically.