bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Natural and anthropogenic variation in coarse wood among and within lakes
Authors: MARBURG ANNA E. , TURNER MONICA G. , KRATZ TIMOTHY K.
Published: March 2006

Residential development is often concentrated near aquatic ecosystems and understanding riparian–littoral zone interactions is therefore critical for assessing its ecological effects.

Introduction of wood from riparian forests into the littoral zone, where it becomes habitat for aquatic organisms, is an important, but poorly understood, process. We related the density of littoral coarse wood both among and within 45 lakes in Vilas County, Wisconsin, USA, to forest structure, abiotic drivers and land use.

Among all lakes and among a subset of low‐development lakes, the best predictor of the density of littoral coarse wood was the density of riparian coarse wood. At the within‐lake (site) level, two alternative models explain variability in coarse wood abundance: as a function of exposure to wind and amount of riparian coarse wood or as a function of exposure to wind and land‐use intensity.

Both among and within lakes, areas more modified by humans had a lower density of littoral coarse wood. Conversely, areas with little (current) human impact were tremendously variable; some sites and lakes had abundant wood and others had virtually none.

Contrary to previous studies, there was no relationship between living trees and coarse wood density, suggesting that riparian and littoral coarse wood densities may be strongly influenced by past disturbance, both human and natural.

This study highlights the importance of cross boundary subsidies in understanding the impact of development on ecosystems. The concentration of residential development at the boundary between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems appears to reduce the flow of coarse wood from forests to lakes. Loss of this resource may have negative consequences for lake biota and the aquatic food web.
Strategies of Solanum carolinense for regulating maternal investment in response to foliar and floral herbivory
Authors: WISE MICHAEL J. , CUMMINS JEREMIAH J.
Published: March 2006

The series of steps used to regulate a plant's investment in reproduction in response to environmental stresses is a life‐history strategy critical to maximizing fitness. We investigated how the andromonoecious herb Solanum carolinense regulates its maternal investment in response to stress from foliar and floral herbivory.

Most of the variation among S. carolinense individuals (ramets) in maternal investment occurred during the initiation of flower‐bud primordia, with ramets initiating between 9 and 167 flower buds.

In response to simulated floral herbivory, S. carolinense regulated maternal investment by decreasing the abortion rate of flower buds, increasing the ratio of perfect to male flowers and decreasing the rate of fruit abortion.

In response to foliar herbivory, the plants increased the rate of fruit abortion and decreased allocation to perennial root growth.

Some individuals specialized at regulating during early phenological stages, others specialized at later regulation, and there appeared to be trade‐offs between these strategies.

Because most plants must cope with multiple stresses that occur at different times in their phenology, such trade‐offs suggest the presence of adaptive constraints. In particular, a plant's ability to tolerate damage by one species of herbivore may be constrained by the cost of lower tolerance of the damage caused by the other herbivores that feed on the plant.
Neighbourhood composition determines growth, architecture and herbivory in tropical rain forest tree seedlings
Authors: MASSEY FERGUS P. , MASSEY KATE , PRESS MALCOLM C. , HARTLEY SUE E.
Published: March 2006

Interspecific and intraspecific competition in seedling banks may be important determinants of regeneration success in some groups of canopy trees, e.g. dipterocarps in south‐east Asian tropical rain forests, and the outcomes of these competitive interactions may contribute to the maintenance of the high levels of plant diversity.

We present the results of an experiment examining the effects of seedling bank diversity within canopy gaps on seedling growth, architecture and levels of insect herbivore defoliation over 18 months. Within each of six experimental canopy gaps, we planted two conspecific blocks of Shorea leprosula (Dipterocarpaceae) seedlings and two heterospecific blocks of S. leprosula seedlings amongst four other dipterocarp species with differing growth rates and palatability to herbivores.

The growth allocation patterns of S. leprosula differed according to whether they were planted among conspecifics or heterospecifics. Although S. leprosula seedlings grew taller in conspecific stands, their above ground biomass did not differ between planting treatments, due to increased branching and leaf area in seedlings in the heterospecific stands.

Shorea leprosula displayed the lowest levels of antiherbivore defences and sustained the greatest levels of defoliation of all species studied. Despite an increase of almost 60% in leaf damage in conspecific vs. heterospecific stands, neither biomass nor survival of S. leprosula seedlings differed between stands over the 18‐month growth period.

The important effects of neighbourhood composition on the growth and herbivory of S. leprosula seedlings, suggest that diversity of seedling banks can be an important determinant of regeneration success and, thus, forest dynamics. Neighbourhood composition may have similar impacts on competitive outcomes and biomass allocation patterns in other ecological communities.
Lower serum concentration of matrix metalloproteinase‐3 in the acute stage of myocardial infarction
Authors: SAMNEGÅRD A. , SILVEIRA A. , TORNVALL P. , HAMSTEN A. , ERICSSON C.‐G. , ERIKSSON P.
Published: March 2006

Objectives.  The importance of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in the progression and rupture of the atherosclerotic plaque is gaining increasing recognition but the mechanisms are not yet fully understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the significance of MMP‐3 in the acute phase of myocardial infarction (MI) and the influence of the −1612 5A/6A MMP‐3 gene promoter polymorphism on serum MMP‐3 concentration.

Subjects.  One‐hundred and sixty‐four patients admitted with ST‐elevation MI and receiving thrombolysis treatment were included in this study. Serum MMP‐3 was analysed at admission, after 48 h and at 3 months.

Results.  Serum MMP‐3 concentration was significantly increased at 3 months when compared with admission and 48 h (19.5 ng mL−1 [14.4–24.7] vs. 15.5 ng mL−1 [10.5–21.8] at admission, P < 0.001; and 14.7 ng mL−1 [9.9–23.8] at 48 h, P < 0.001). Furthermore, we found the −1612 5A/6A polymorphism to influence the serum concentration of MMP‐3 at all time‐points: 14.1 ng mL−1 [10.2–18.8] in 5A/5A; 19.6 ng mL−1 [15.0–24.4] in 5A/6A; and 24.0 ng mL−1 [20.1–32.3] in 6A/6A genotype at 3 months (P < 0.001 between all groups). Female patients had lower serum MMP‐3 concentration than male patients at all time‐points (14.8 ng mL−1 [9.4–20.8] vs. 19.9 ng mL−1 [16.0–26.9], P < 0.0001 at 3 months).

Conclusions.  Serum concentration of MMP‐3 is significantly lower in the acute stage of MI than during recovery and is significantly influenced by −1612 5A/6A genotype and gender. Together with previous findings, these results primarily implicate MMP‐3 in atherosclerosis progression rather than in acute MI.
Long‐term beneficial effects of glipizide treatment on glucose tolerance in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance
Authors: ERIKSSON J. G. , LEHTOVIRTA M. , EHRNSTRÖM B. , SALMELA S. , GROOP L.
Published: March 2006

Aims.  To assess the efficacy and long‐term effects of glipizide treatment on glucose and insulin metabolism in individuals with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT).

Methods.  Thirty‐seven first‐degree relatives of patients with type 2 diabetes fulfilling WHO criteria for IGT were randomized to treatment with either glipizide 2.5 mg once daily or matching placebo for 6 months. A 75 g, 2‐h oral (OGTT) and 60 min intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT) were performed at baseline and after 6 months. The subjects were followed up for another 12 months after discontinuation of treatment and a repeat OGTT was performed at 18 months.

Results.  Thirty‐three subjects fulfilled the study. Markers of insulin sensitivity – i.e. fasting insulin and HOMAIR‐index – improved in the glipizide group (P = 0.04 and 0.02 respectively) as well as HDL cholesterol (P = 0.05) compared with placebo group after 6 months. At 18 months, both fasting and 2 h glucose concentrations were significantly lower in the glipizide group compared with the placebo group (P = 0.04 and 0.03 respectively). The prevalence of type 2 diabetes was 29.4% in the placebo group and 5.9% in the glipizide group at 18 months. This equals an 80% relative risk reduction in the active treatment group.

Conclusions.  Short‐term treatment with glipizide improves glucose and insulin metabolism in subjects with IGT primarily by improving insulin sensitivity mediated by lowering glucose toxicity, thereby providing the beta cells rest. Larger studies are needed to establish whether these effects are sufficient to prevent progression to manifest type 2 diabetes and associated cardiovascular morbidity in subjects at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
A simple linear model for the effect of changes in metabolic risk factors on coronary heart disease
Authors: MOGELVANG R. , SCHARLING H. , JENSEN J. S.
Published: March 2006

Objectives.  The risk of having one or more metabolic risk factors in the development of coronary heart disease (CHD) is well estimated, but it still remains to be shown which influence any given change in the number of risk factors has on the overall risk of CHD.

Design.  In this prospective cardiovascular population study, 10 194 participants were examined twice with a 5‐year interval for metabolic risk factors such as obesity, hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia and diabetes mellitus.

Results.  During 14 years of follow‐up, 1724 incident cases of CHD were identified, 973 in men and 751 in women. The effect of an increase in the number of metabolic risk factors during a 5‐year interval on the relative risk of CHD could be determined to be statistically significant for both genders. But only for men, the effect of a decrease in the number of metabolic risk factors was statistically significant during the same time interval. Hence, by statistical analysis, a simple linear model could be constructed for men with two linear trend parameters, one corresponding to the number of metabolic risk factors at the first examination and one corresponding to the change in the number of metabolic risk factors from the first to the second examination. The parameters were 1.50 (1.39–1.63); P < 0.001 and 1.29 (1.18–1.41); P < 0.001, respectively.

Conclusions.  This study suggests that it is possible to fit a simple linear model for the effect of changed number of metabolic risk factors on the risk of CHD.
Electrocardiographic and troponin T changes in acute ischaemic stroke
Authors: FURE B. , BRUUN WYLLER T. , THOMMESSEN B.
Published: March 2006

Background.  The mechanisms explaining morphological electrocardiogram (ECG) changes and increased troponin T (TnT) in acute stroke are unclear. The aims of the present study were to assess the prevalence of ECG and TnT changes in acute ischaemic stroke, to investigate whether ischaemic‐like ECG changes correlate to a rise in TnT and to examine whether ECG changes and elevated TnT predict a poor short‐time outcome.

Methods.  From 2000 to 2002 a total of 279 patients suffering from acute ischaemic stroke were included prospectively in the present study. ECG was carried out at admission and on day 1 in all patients. TnT was analysed at admission and on day 1.

Results.  The most frequent ECG changes were: prolonged QTc 36.0%, ST depression 24.5%, atrial fibrillation 19.9% and T wave inversion 17.8%. In logistic regression analyses, ST depression and Q waves were significantly associated with a rise in TnT. TnT was elevated (>0.04 μg L−1) in 26 patients (9.6%). In logistic regression analyses, a rise in TnT was significantly associated with a poor short‐term outcome (modified Rankin scale >3).

Conclusion.  ECG changes are prevalent in acute ischaemic stroke. ST depression and Q waves are related to an increase in TnT, suggesting that these ECG changes may indicate coexisting ischaemic heart disease. A rise in TnT predicts a poor outcome. Patients with acute ischaemic stroke should be offered adequate treatment with secondary prevention and preferably a follow‐up with focus on cardiologic as well as neurological aspects.
Refractoriness to Short Day Lengths Augments Tonic and Gonadotrophin‐Releasing Hormone‐Stimulated Lutenising Hormone Secretion
Authors: Prendergast B. J. , Hotchkiss A. K. , Wen J. , Horton T. H. , Nelson R. J.
Published: March 2006

Siberian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus) undergo reproductive involution following exposure to short winter day lengths. Following approximately 20 weeks of exposure to short day (SD) lengths, hamsters become refractory to the inhibitory effects of SD, and reproductive competence is restored in anticipation of spring. The extent to which changes in gonadal steroid‐dependent and ‐independent regulation of gonadotrophin secretion participate in this vernal reactivation of the gonads is not known. This experiment tested whether tonic and gonadotrophin‐releasing hormone (GnRH)‐stimulated regulation of lutenising hormone (LH) secretion differs between photoresponsive and photorefractory Siberian hamsters. Male hamsters born into long day (LD) lengths were castrated or subjected to a sham‐castration surgery at 17 days of age, implanted s.c. with blank or testosterone‐filled capsules, and housed in LD or SD thereafter. Baseline LH and LH responses to GnRH (200 ng/kg, s.c) were measured at 14 (photoresponsive) and 40 (photorefractory) weeks of age. Despite lower circulating testosterone concentrations in gonadally regressed SD hamsters on week 14, tonic LH concentrations were comparable among all groups of gonad‐intact hamsters on weeks 14 and 40; however, week 14 SD hamsters exhibited significantly higher GnRH‐stimulated LH responses. Tonic LH concentrations were indistinguishable among all groups of castrated hamsters bearing empty implants on week 14, but prolonged exposure to LD led to a decrease in resting LH, whereas prolonged exposure to SD resulted in an increase in LH. In castrated hamsters bearing testosterone implants, baseline LH concentrations were comparable in all groups, but GnRH treatment resulted in significantly higher LH concentrations in photorefractory (week 40, SD) hamsters relative to all other groups. The data suggest that the development of photorefractoriness in Siberian hamsters is characterised by enhanced gonadal hormone‐independent stimulation of LH secretion, and diminished sensitivity to inhibitory negative‐feedback effects of testosterone on LH secretion. Decreases in responsiveness of gonadotrophin secretion to gonadal hormone negative feedback may contribute to the process of photorefractoriness and assist in maintaining the growth of reproductive organs during the process of gonadal recrudescence.
Relative abundance and survival of the tickAmblyomma americanumcollected from sunlit and shaded habitats
Authors: Koch K. R. , Burg J. G.
Published: March 2006

Abstract. The population density of host‐searching nymphal and adult lone star ticks,Amblyomma americanum(L.) (Acari: Ixodidae), was determined at the Robinson tract of the Kansas Ecological Reserves and a private farm 5 km north‐west of the Robinson tract using standard drag cloth methods. Nymphs, males and females were counted and collected weekly from shaded habitats and adjacent sunlit habitats from mid‐May through late July, 2003. Of the 1598 nymphs and 549 males collected by drag sampling, 74.0% and 72.1%, respectively, were collected from shaded sections of the habitats, whereas 77.3% of 472 females were found in sunlit sections.A. americanumcollected during each sampling period were maintained unfed at >95% relative humidity and a 14 : 10 h photoperiod, and survival was recorded weekly until all ticks had died. Survival of nymphs, males and females did not differ between ticks collected in the shade vs. those collected in the sun. Nymphs survived significantly longer than adults, whereas male and female survival did not differ from each other. These results suggest that host‐searchingA. americanumpopulations may partition their environment to increase the chances of coming into contact with a potential vertebrate host.
When invaders meet locally adapted types: rapid moulding of hybrid zones between sculpins (Cottus, Pisces) in the Rhine system
Authors: NOLTE A. W. , FREYHOF J. , TAUTZ D.
Published: March 2006

Hybrid zones are commonly studied to dissect the processes that drive divergence among lineages, which have incomplete barriers of reproduction. Most hybrid zones have existed for an extended time making inferences on the initial mode of formation difficult. It is a priori unclear how fast a nascent hybrid zone would form as a response to endogenous and exogenous factors. We have studied several hybrid zones between two lineages of sculpins (Cottusspp.), which emerged due to a recent range expansion of one of the lineages along the river Rhine in the early 1990s. Applying a dense sampling across two contact areas and using a highly informative set of 45 microsatellite markers we found pronounced genetic structure. Steep genetic clines suggest that strong selective forces have shaped the respective hybrid zones from the beginning. We find that the zones are coupled to ecological transitions from small streams to larger rivers. The width of these zones is much smaller than estimates of annual individual dispersal distances, as estimated outside of the hybrid zones. The pattern is apparently not strongly affected by pre‐ or postzygotic reproductive isolation because numerous backcross hybrids occur within the zones. This suggests that strong natural selection acts against immigrant genotypes. The study exemplifies how local adaptation can play a key role in preventing admixture in dependence of the ecological context.
Natural hybrids in Atlantic eels (Anguilla anguilla,A. rostrata): evidence for successful reproduction and fluctuating abundance in space and time
Authors: ALBERT VICKY , JÓNSSON BJARNI , BERNATCHEZ LOUIS
Published: March 2006

The outcome of natural hybridization is highly variable and depends on the nonexclusive effects of both pre‐ and post‐mating reproductive barriers. The objective of this study was to address three specific questions regarding the dynamics of hybridization between the American and European eels (Anguilla rostrataandAnguilla anguilla). Using 373 AFLP loci, 1127 eels were genotyped, representing different life stages from both continents, as well as multiple Icelandic locations. We first evaluated the extent of hybridization and tested for the occurrence of hybrids beyond the first generation. Second, we tested whether hybrids were randomly distributed across continents and among Icelandic sampling sites. Third, we tested for a difference in the proportion of hybrids between glass eel and yellow eel stages in Iceland. Our results provided evidence for (i) an overall hybrid proportion of 15.5% in Iceland, with values ranging from 6.7% to 100% depending on life stages and locations; (ii) the existence of hybrids beyond the first generation; (iii) a nonrandom geographic distribution of hybrids in the North Atlantic; and (iv) a higher proportion of first and later generation hybrids in yellow eels compared to glass eels, as well as a significant latitudinal gradient in the proportion of hybrids in Icelandic freshwater. We propose that the combined effect of both differential survival of hybrids and variation in hybridization rate through time best explain these patterns. We discuss the possibility that climate change, which is impacting many environmental features in the North Atlantic, may have a determinant effect on the outcome of natural hybridization in Atlantic eels.
INVITED REVIEW: Life on the margin: genetic isolation and diversity loss in a peripheral marine ecosystem, the Baltic Sea
Authors: JOHANNESSON KERSTIN , ANDRÉ CARL
Published: March 2006

Marginal populations are often isolated and under extreme selection pressures resulting in anomalous genetics. Consequently, ecosystems that are geographically and ecologically marginal might have a large share of genetically atypical populations, in need of particular concern in management of these ecosystems. To test this prediction, we analysed genetic data from 29 species inhabiting the low saline Baltic Sea, a geographically and ecologically marginal ecosystem. On average Baltic populations had lost genetic diversity compared to Atlantic populations: a pattern unrelated to dispersal capacity, generation time of species and taxonomic group of organism, but strongly related to type of genetic marker (mitochondrial DNA loci had lost c. 50% diversity, and nuclear loci 10%). Analyses of genetic isolation by geographic distance revealed clinal patterns of differentiation between Baltic and Atlantic regions. For a majority of species, clines were sigmoid with a sharp slope around the Baltic Sea entrance, indicating impeded gene flows between Baltic and Atlantic populations. Some species showed signs of allele frequencies being perturbed at the edge of their distribution inside the Baltic Sea. Despite the short geological history of the Baltic Sea (8000 years), populations inhabiting the Baltic have evolved substantially different from Atlantic populations, probably as a consequence of isolation and bottlenecks, as well as selection on adaptive traits. In addition, the Baltic Sea also acts a refuge for unique evolutionary lineages. This marginal ecosystem is thus vulnerable but also exceedingly valuable, housing unique genes, genotypes and populations that constitute an important genetic resource for management and conservation.
Recombinant cytochromes c biogenesis systems I and II and analysis of haem delivery pathways in Escherichia coli
Authors: Feissner Robert E. , Richard‐Fogal Cynthia L. , Frawley Elaine R. , Loughman Jennifer A. , Earley Keith W. , Kranz Robert G.
Published: March 2006

Genetic analysis has indicated that the system II pathway for c‐type cytochrome biogenesis in Bordetella pertussis requires at least four biogenesis proteins (CcsB, CcsA, DsbD and CcsX). In this study, the eight genes (ccmA–H) associated with the system I pathway in Escherichia coli were deleted. Using B. pertussis cytochrome c4 as a reporter for cytochromes c assembly, it is demonstrated that a single fused ccsBA polypeptide can replace the function of the eight system I genes in E. coli. Thus, the CcsB and CcsA membrane complex of system II is likely to possess the haem delivery and periplasmic cytochrome c‐haem ligation functions. Using recombinant system II and system I, both under control of IPTG, we have begun to study the capabilities and characteristics of each system in the same organism (E. coli). The ferrochelatase inhibitor N‐methylprotoporphyrin was used to modulate haem levels in vivo and it is shown that system I can use endogenous haem at much lower levels than system II. Additionally, while system I encodes a covalently bound haem chaperone (holo‐CcmE), no covalent intermediate has been found in system II. It is shown that this allows system I to use holo‐CcmE as a haem reservoir, a capability system II does not possess.
A twenty‐year survey of dermatophytoses in Braga, Portugal
Authors: Valdigem G. L. , Pereira T. , Macedo C. , Duarte M. L. , Oliveira P. , Ludovico P. , Sousa‐Basto A. , Leão C. , Rodrigues F.
Published: March 2006

Background  Modifications in social habits together with the increase of emigration have contributed not only to increased dermatophytoses but also to an altered etiology. During the last few years, Braga has suffered a radical change from a rural to a cosmopolitan life‐style.

Methods  A statistical study of dermatophytoses and the etiology of their causative agents was performed by a retrospective survey carried out among patients of Hospital de São Marcos, Braga, Portugal, from 1983–2002. In this study, a total of 10 003 patients were analyzed.

Results  Over this period the frequency of dermatophytoses, as defined by the recovery of a dermatophyte in culture, was found to be 23.6%, whereas nondermatophytic infections accounted for 7.0%. Analysis of the clinical forms and the isolated fungi supports that the dermatophyte species have a predilection for certain body areas (P ≤ 0.01). Age is a very important factor regarding the occurrence of dermatophytoses (P ≤ 0.0001), with a correlation between increasing age and infection, positive for Trichophyton rubrum and negative for Microsporum canis. Overall the gender of the patients is not an association factor for the development of dermatophytoses; however, significant differences were detected in the distribution of some etiologic agents (P ≤ 0.05).

Conclusions  The results showed the main etiologic agent of dermatophytoses to be Trichophyton rubrum (37.4%). Moreover, dermatophytoses are both decreasing and showing a new profile in Braga, and a pronounced decrease of Trichophyton megninii was observed throughout the study.
Age‐related changes in intracellular cytokine profiles and Th2 dominance in allergic children
Authors: Kawamoto Norio , Kaneko Hideo , Takemura Masao , Seishima Mitsuru , Sakurai Satomi , Fukao Toshiyuki , Kasahara Kimiko , Iwasa Shinichi , Kondo Naomi
Published: March 2006

The unbalanced T helper response has been pointed out in allergic diseases. Especially in childhood, it is important to consider the development of acquired immunity. We investigated the relationship between age and Th1, Th2, Tc1 or Tc2 cells. In addition, Th1, Th2, Tc1 or Tc2 cells in allergic diseases were compared with control subjects. Thirty‐four healthy controls (0–40 years old), 200 samples of cord blood, nine patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) (1–3 years old) and five patients with bronchial asthma (BA) (2–6 years old) were studied. Surface staining with CD4, CD8 and intracellular staining with anti‐interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) and anti‐interleukin (IL)‐4 were carried out, and analyzed by using flow cytometry. In the healthy controls, the percentages of Th1, Tc1 or Th2 showed positive correlation with age. The absolute numbers of Th1 or Tc1 also correlated with age. Cord blood with a family history of allergic disease showed no significant difference compared to that without a family history. The percentage of Th2 in AD and BA patients was significantly higher than in the age‐matched healthy controls. The increase in Th1, Th2 and Tc1 with age might reflect on the development of acquired immunity. Age matching is important when evaluating the cytokine profiles of T cells. In allergic diseases, although cord blood showed a Th1‐dominant pattern, it changed to Th2 dominance in childhood, and this may reflect on some genetic background.
The predictive value of early life total immunoglobulin E measurement in identifying atopic children in a population‐based birth cohort study
Authors: Perkin Michael R. , Strachan David P. , HC Williams , Lack Gideon , Golding Jean ,   the ALSPAC Study Team
Published: March 2006

Atopy is common and the prevalence amongst children is rising. Measurements in early childhood that can predict subsequent development of atopy could be clinically useful for targeting preventive measures. We used the Children in Focus (CiF) subgroup of a large population‐based birth cohort study (the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children) to investigate whether total immunoglobulin E (IgE) measured at 12 and 18 months could predict subsequent development of atopy at 5 yr of age. Atopy was determined by positive skin prick test (≥3 mm wheal) to one or more of 14 inhalant and food allergens. Prevalence of skin prick positivity to any allergen was 14.5% (104 of 715; 95% CI: 12.0–17.1%). Total IgE levels were significantly higher at 12 months of age (p < 0.0005) but not 18 months of age in those children subsequently atopic. The highest positive predictive value was 41% with an IgE measurement of >51 kU/l, with a sensitivity of 13.5% and a specificity of 95.8%. Although significant differences in early life IgE measurements were seen, the extent of overlap was great, such that the overall performance of IgE at 12 months as a screening test for atopy was poor.
Comparison of fecal microflora in children with atopic eczema/dermatitis syndrome according to IgE sensitization to food
Authors: Kendler Michael , Uter Wolfgang , Rueffer Andreas , Shimshoni Raffael , Jecht Eckehardt
Published: March 2006

Atopic eczema/dermatitis syndrome (AEDS) commonly often arises during early infancy. In several intervention studies a beneficial influence on AEDS course of certain intestinal bacteria, administered as ‘probiotics’, has been described. To evaluate the possible role of the natural intestinal microflora in children with allergic eczema/dermatitis syndrome regarding immediate type hypersensitivity to food allergens, children with food allergy (AAEDS, n = 68) have been compared with children without detectable food allergy (NAEDS, n = 25). All children (n = 93) in preschool age, mean age of 2.6 (±1.8) years, diagnosed with AEDS who were treated as inpatients in 2003 in a dermatological hospital were included. The correlation between fecal microflora, parasites and specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies against common food allergens was analyzed. A similar composition of intestinal microflora in children with AAEDS and NAAEDS was found. The food allergens that were most frequently detected were egg white, cow milk, casein, peanut and hazelnut. Furthermore, a significant association between IgE sensitization against important food allergens and components of the fecal microflora could not be demonstrated. With aging changes occur in the intestinal microbiota [Proteus/Klebsiella and age (ρ = −0.607) and Enterococcus and age (ρ = −0.428)]. In two subjects of the AAEDS group Blastocystis hominis was found. The composition of natural intestinal microflora in children with AAEDS and NAAEDS was similar. Hence, there is no evidence of a role of the intestinal microflora with regard to the development of infant (food) allergy in children with AEDS. The possible consequences for allergic diseases later in life require further investigation.
The difficulties of diagnosing food‐dependent exercise‐induced anaphylaxis in childhood – a case study and review
Authors: Tewari A. , Du Toit G. , Lack G.
Published: March 2006

We describe a case report of peanut and hens egg‐dependent exercise‐induced anaphylaxis in a 13‐yr‐old child, and assess the fundamental importance of careful investigations to differentiate food‐dependent exercise‐induced anaphylaxis from other forms of allergic reactions.
Effect of Straw on Yield Components of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Under Rice‐Rice Cropping System
Authors: Surekha K. , Pavan Chandra Reddy K. , Padma Kumari A. P. , Sta Cruz P. C.
Published: March 2006

Field experiments were conducted at the Directorate of Rice Research experimental farm, ICRISAT campus, Patancheru, Hyderabad, during 1998–2000 for five consecutive seasons (three wet and two dry seasons) with five treatments [T1 – 100 % straw incorporation; T2 – 50 % straw incorporation; T3 – 100 % straw + green manure (GM) incorporation; T4 – 100 % straw burning and T5 – 100 % straw removal (control)] along with the recommended dose of fertilizers to evaluate the effect of different crop residue management (CRM) practices on yield components and yield of rice in rice–rice cropping sequence. The ammonium N measured at active tillering was higher in 100 % straw‐added plots over 50 % straw addition and straw removal with maximum values in the straw + GM‐incorporated plots. Among the yield components, tillers, panicles and spikelets were influenced from the second season of residue incorporation with significant increase in 100 % straw‐added treatments. The increase in tiller and panicle number could be attributed to the increased NH4‐N in these treatments, which is evident from the significant correlation between tiller number and NH4‐N (r = 0.82**) and panicle number and NH4‐N (r = 0.87**). The influence of residue treatments on rice grain yield was observed from the third season onwards where incorporation of straw alone or in combination with GM and burning of straw significantly increased grain and straw yields. Grain yield showed significant positive correlation with the number of tillers (r = 0.74*–0.81**) and panicles (r = 0.74*–0.84**) in three treatments (T1, T3 andT4) where grain yields were significantly higher. The regression analysis showed that 57–66 % and 64–75 % of the variation in yield could be explained by tillers and panicles together in these three treatments during wet and dry seasons respectively. Thus, CRM practices such as addition of 100 % straw either alone or with GM and straw burning influenced the yield components (tillers, panicles and spikelets) positively and thereby increased rice grain yields.
Thoracic ventral dural defect: Idiopathic spinal cord herniation
Authors: Morley S , Naidoo P , Robertson A , Chong W
Published: March 2006

Thoracic ventral dural defect, and resultant idiopathic spinal cord herniation, is a rare but increasingly recognized cause of a chronic progressive thoracic myelopathy, particularly in middle‐aged women. A neurosurgically confirmed case is presented, together with a review of the pathogenesis, clinical presentation, imaging features, treatment options and progress of this entity post‐treatment.
Intussusception of the small bowel discovered incidentally by computed tomography
Authors: Jain P , Heap SW
Published: March 2006

Three cases of asymptomatic intussusception in adults are reported, discovered incidentally during a CT scan of the abdomen. It is being increasingly observed in adults, possibly aided by the reformatting capabilities of the new multislice CT scanners. It has been documented in children where it is considered to be transient and of no clinical significance.
Spiral computed tomography–intravenous cholangiography with three‐dimensional reconstructions for imaging the biliary tree
Authors: Alibrahim E , Gibson RN , Vincent J , Speer T , Collier N , Jardine C
Published: March 2006

This study aimed to assess the ability of CT–i.v. cholangiography to show the perihilar biliary and cystic duct anatomy and to assess the relative performance of axial, maximum intensity projection and surface rendered displays. We also assessed the correlation between serum bilirubin levels and adequacy of biliary opacification. Spiral CT was carried out following infusion of 100 mL of Biliscopin in 181 patients with suspected biliary disease. The display of biliary anatomy was of high quality, with 91% of patients having good opacification of at least first‐order bile ducts and 84% having good opacification of at least third‐order right and left hepatic ducts. The quality of biliary opacification correlated inversely to serum bilirubin levels, with levels above two to three times the normal value being associated with lower rates of good opacification. Maximum intensity projection and surface rendered reformats aided anatomical interpretation to a similar degree. The relative frequency of types of perihilar branching patterns and cystic duct junctional anatomy correlated closely to those reported from previous anatomical studies.
Accelerated partial breast irradiation using interstitial high dose rate 192iridium brachytherapy: Early Australian experience and review of the literature
Authors: Stevens MJ , Cooper SG , Cross P , Wang Y
Published: March 2006

Accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) is an evolving new technique of adjuvant irradiation in selected women with early‐stage breast cancer. We developed a pilot programme of APBI in 2000 and report end results in seven patients followed for a mean of 42.7 months (range 29–55 months). Good to excellent cosmesis and no loco‐regional relapse or systemic metastases have occurred. The literature related to APBI is reviewed.
Differential support of lake food webs by three types of terrestrial organic carbon
Authors: Cole Jonathan J. , Carpenter Stephen R. , Pace Michael L. , Van de Bogert Matthew C. , Kitchell James L. , Hodgson James R.
Published: March 2006

Organic carbon inputs from outside of ecosystem boundaries potentially subsidize recipient food webs. Four whole‐lake additions of dissolved inorganic 13C were made to reveal the pathways of subsidies to lakes from terrestrial dissolved organic carbon (t‐DOC), terrestrial particulate organic carbon (t‐POC) and terrestrial prey items. Terrestrial DOC, the largest input, was a major subsidy of pelagic bacterial respiration, but little of this bacterial C was passed up the food web. Zooplankton received <2% of their C from the t‐DOC to bacteria pathway. Terrestrial POC significantly subsidized the production of both zooplankton and benthic invertebrates, and was passed up the food web to Chaoborus and fishes. This route supplied 33–73% of carbon flow to zooplankton and 20–50% to fishes in non‐fertilized lakes. Terrestrial prey, by far the smallest input, provided some fishes with >20% of their carbon. The results show that impacts of cross‐ecosystem subsidies depend on characteristics of the imported material, the route of entry into the food web, the types of consumers present, and the productivity of the recipient system.
Variable interaction strengths stabilize marine community pattern
Authors: Navarrete Sergio A. , Berlow Eric L.
Published: March 2006

High variability in the strength of species interactions is usually considered a source of unstable or unpredictable community patterns. However, recent theoretical work suggests that some types of variance in interaction strength may actually promote stability. Here we provide the first empirical evidence that highly variable, context‐dependent species interaction strengths and resilient community patterns can be two sides of the same coin. Field experiments show that a persistent rocky intertidal seascape is remarkably resilient to multiple sources of environmental stochasticity largely because of scale dependent and variable species interaction strengths. Biological interactions exert a stabilizing effect because their intensity varies systematically with changes in both physical sources of mortality of established species, as well as recruitment of new individuals. Strong variation in species interaction strengths with disturbance size and environmental conditions is ubiquitous in nature. Elucidating when this context dependency will be stabilizing is critical to predict community‐level responses to anthropogenic disturbances.
Biotic interactions and plant invasions
Authors: Mitchell Charles E. , Agrawal Anurag A. , Bever James D. , Gilbert Gregory S. , Hufbauer Ruth A. , Klironomos John N. , Maron John L. , Morris William F. , Parker Ingrid M. , Power Alison G. , Seabloom Eric W. , Torchin Mark E. , Vázquez Diego P.
Published: March 2006

Introduced plant populations lose interactions with enemies, mutualists and competitors from their native ranges, and gain interactions with new species, under new abiotic conditions. From a biogeographical perspective, differences in the assemblage of interacting species, as well as in abiotic conditions, may explain the demographic success of the introduced plant populations relative to conspecifics in their native range. Within invaded communities, the new interactions and conditions experienced by the invader may influence both its demographic success and its effects on native biodiversity. Here, we examine indirect effects involving enemies, mutualists and competitors of introduced plants, and effects of abiotic conditions on biotic interactions. We then synthesize ideas building on Darwin's idea that the kinds of new interactions gained by an introduced population will depend on its relatedness to native populations. This yields a heuristic framework to explain how biotic interactions and abiotic conditions influence invader success. We conclude that species introductions generally alter plants’ interactions with enemies, mutualists and competitors, and that there is increasing evidence that these altered interactions jointly influence the success of introduced populations.
Severe acidosis in patients taking metformin—rapid reversal and survival despite high APACHE score
Authors: Nyirenda M. J. , Sandeep T. , Grant I. , Price G. , McKnight J. A.
Published: March 2006

Background  Metformin has been shown to reduce complications and mortality from Type 2 diabetes mellitus, and is increasingly used to treat this condition. This agent is, however, associated with a rare but serious risk of lactic acidosis.

Case report  We present cases of 10 patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus who developed acute renal failure and severe lactic acidosis. Despite the severity of their illness, all patients but one survived.

Conclusions  The increasing prevalence of Type 2 diabetes and its treatment with metformin might result in more cases of lactic acidosis. However our case report demonstrates that early and aggressive treatment with haemofiltration can improve outcomes even in the presence of severe acidosis.

Diabet. Med. 23, 432–435 (2006)
The impact of second‐level specialized care on hospitalization in persons with diabetes: a multilevel population‐based study
Authors: Giorda C. , Petrelli A. , Gnavi R. ,   the Regional Board for Diabetes Care of Piemonte
Published: March 2006

Aims  We evaluated whether differences in the use of specialized care have an impact on rates of hospitalization for diabetes.

Methods  In 2001 we determined the number of hours of second‐level diabetes care provided by local health units (LHU) of the Piemonte Region (Italy) and created an indicator of the mean weekly number of hours of care per 1000 residents for each LHU. From the database of the Piemonte Hospital Information System, we extracted all hospitalizations for 20–75‐year‐old residents with a main discharge diagnosis of diabetes mellitus (n = 3457). For each LHU, we calculated the hospitalization rate, the percentage of unplanned hospital admissions, the mean length of hospital stay, the percentage of day‐hospital admissions and the percentage of re‐admissions for diabetes‐related complications within 6 months. The association between the indicators of specialized care and of hospital care was studied using two‐level generalized hierarchical linear regression models (level 1: patient; level 2: LHU), taking into account the clustered nature of the data. Age, educational level and an indicator of disease severity were used as adjustment parameters.

Results  In the tertile of LHUs that provided the greatest number of hours of diabetes care, we observed, compared with the lowest tertile fewer unplanned hospital admissions [odds ratio (OR) 0.37; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.20–0.67], greater day‐hospital use (OR 1.99; 0.72–5.49) and a lower mean duration of hospital stay (coefficient −0.26; 95% CI −0.45 to −0.06), independently of the socio‐economic level, which was a separate risk factor.

Conclusions  The intensity of specialized diabetes care greatly influences the characteristics of hospitalization.

Diabet. Med. 23, 377–383 (2006)
Diabetes with partial lipodystrophy following sclerodermatous chronic graft vs. host disease
Authors: Rooney D. P. , Ryan M. F.
Published: March 2006

Background  The importance of adipose tissue in metabolism, as a target for insulin action and a secretor of metabolic regulatory proteins, is increasingly recognized. Lipodystrophic conditions are often associated with significant insulin resistance. The commonest acquired form occurs with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) for human immunodeficiency virus infection. Other medical conditions and drugs also have the potential to cause chronic subcutaneous fat damage.

Case report  We describe an unfamiliar partial lipodystrophy in a young woman, associated with markedly insulin‐resistant diabetes, acquired following allogeneic bone marrow transplantation for childhood leukaemia complicated by late sclerodermatous chronic graft vs. host disease (GVHD). Clinical examination revealed scarring and lipodystrophy affecting mainly legs, thighs, buttocks and forearms but sparing her face, neck and thorax. Her serum adiponectin level was markedly reduced.

Conclusions  However, although thiazolidinediones lower insulin resistance and increase subcutaneous peripheral fat in Type 2 diabetes, pioglitazone treatment had little effect on either serum adiponectin, glycaemic control or the lipoatrophy. In this case, effective glycaemic control was best achieved using a combination of metformin and highly concentrated soluble insulin injections.

Diabet. Med. 23, 436–440 (2006)
Towards male sterility in Pinus radiata– a stilbene synthase approach to genetically engineer nuclear male sterility
Authors: Höfig Kai P. , Möller Ralf , Donaldson Lloyd , Putterill Joanna , Walter Christian
Published: March 2006

A male cone‐specific promoter from Pinus radiata D. Don (radiata pine) was used to express a stilbene synthase gene (STS) in anthers of transgenic Nicotiana tabacum plants, resulting in complete male sterility in 70% of transformed plants. Three plants were 98%−99.9% male sterile, as evidenced by pollen germination. To identify the stage at which transgenic pollen first developed abnormally, tobacco anthers from six different developmental stages were assayed microscopically. Following the release of pollen grains from tetrads, transgenic pollen displayed an increasingly flake‐like structure, which gradually rounded up during the maturation process. We further investigated whether STS expression may have resulted in an impaired flavonol or sporopollenin formation. A specific flavonol aglycone stain was used to demonstrate that significant amounts of these substances were produced only in late stages of normal pollen development, therefore excluding a diminished flavonol aglycone production as a reason for pollen ablation. A detailed analysis of the exine layer by transmission electron microscopy revealed minor structural changes in the exine layer of ablated pollen, and pyrolysis–gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy indicated that the biochemistry of sporopollenin production was unaffected. The promoter–STS construct may be useful for the ablation of pollen formation in coniferous gymnosperms and male sterility may potentially be viewed as a prerequisite for the commercial use of transgenic conifers.
A REVISIT OF INTERNATIONAL STOCK MARKET LINKAGES: NEW EVIDENCE FROM RANK TESTS FOR NONLINEAR COINTEGRATION
Authors: Li Xiao‐Ming
Published: March 2006

Based on a theory proposed for the possible link between financial market integration and nonlinear cointegration, this study reinvestigates international stock market linkages by performing both conventional linear cointegration tests and newly developed rank tests for nonlinear cointegration. The stock price indexes of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States are used, with daily data spanning from 29 May 1992 to 10 April 2001. Much more evidence of market integration emerges from nonlinear than linear cointegration analysis, suggesting that comovements among various national stock markets may well take nonlinear forms. Our findings challenge the conclusion of market segmentation reached in some previous studies that only conducted linear cointegration analysis.