bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interactions between insect herbivores and a plant architectural dimorphism
Authors: RUDGERS JENNIFER A. , WHITNEY KENNETH D.
Published: July 2006

Plants possess many traits that influence their resistance to insect herbivores and thus can shape the structure of herbivore assemblages. While plant chemistry and structural defences have received the most attention, plant architecture may also be important. We examined patterns and consequences of insect herbivory for two distinct architectural morphs (prostrate or erect) of the perennial shrub, Baccharis pilularis (Asteraceae, coyote bush) in coastal California, USA.

For B. pilularis, differences in plant height, branch architecture and leaf size persisted in a common garden, consistent with previous evidence suggesting a genetic basis for dimorphism in plant architecture.

In both naturally occurring plants and in a common garden experiment, the composition of the herbivore assemblage varied strongly with plant architectural morph. Prostrate plants attracted higher densities of a gall‐forming midge (Rhopalomyia californica, Diptera), whereas erect plants supported more moth galls (Gnorimoschema baccharisella, Lepidoptera) and experienced greater folivory. Furthermore, architectural traits were correlated with herbivory levels both across and within architectural morphs.

Prostrate plants had greater reproductive output (flowers or seeds) than erect plants in the presence of herbivores. However, under experimental reductions of herbivory spanning 40 months, the morphs had similar reproductive output, demonstrating that herbivores have the potential to act as agents of selection on the dimorphism in plant architecture.

These results confirm that intraspecific variation in plant traits can shape the composition of herbivore assemblages. Furthermore, in this system, herbivores alter the performance of the architectural morphs, suggesting a dynamic system of feedbacks between the population genetic and community levels.
EBM for the future
Authors: Lake Alfred P. J.
Published: July 2006

A viewpoint on Evidence‐Based Medicine from a clinician previously unaware of the degree of controversy that appears to exist surrounding the subject is presented together with an attempt to provide a fresh approach for the future.
External validity: the neglected dimension in evidence ranking
Authors: Persaud Navindra , Mamdani Muhammad M.
Published: July 2006

Evidence that is both accurate (internally valid) and relevant (externally valid) is needed to decide which treatment is best for a particular patient. Evidence rankings facilitate the marshalling of evidence on clinical decisions in the common context of an overwhelming number of studies, some with conflicting results. Evidence from randomized control trials is typically ranked above evidence from non‐experimental studies since rankings are based primarily, if not exclusively, on considerations of internal validity. We propose that evidence rankings should consider equally both internal and external validity. External validity includes how closely the study population, the institution types in the study, the types of physicians in the study, the role of clinician decision‐making (e.g. dose adjustment) in the study, and the role of patient preferences in the study resemble those in actual practice. The example of spironolactone use in heart failure illustrates the danger in using evidence that is internally but not externally valid. Ideally, a treatment should only be used when both internally and externally valid evidence indicates that it will be useful for the particular patient.
Phylogeography and genetic structure ofHibiscus tiliaceus— speciation of a pantropical plant with sea‐drifted seeds
Authors: TAKAYAMA KOJI , KAJITA TADASHI , MURATA JIN , TATEISHI YOICHI
Published: July 2006

Phylogenetic relationships and the spatial genetic structure of a pantropical plant with sea‐drifted seeds,Hibiscus tiliaceusL., and its allied species were investigated. The combined distribution range of these species is over almost the entire littoral area of the tropics worldwide, which might result from the dispersal of their sea‐drifted seeds and from recurrent speciation in local populations. A phylogenetic tree constructed using the nucleotide sequences of ac. 7500‐bp portion of chloroplast DNA suggested the possibility that recurrent speciation fromH. tiliaceushas given rise to all of its allied species. Three major sequence haplotypes ofH. tiliaceushad wide and overlapping distributions throughout the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions. This distribution pattern was also confirmed by PCR‐SSCP (polymerase chain reaction amplification with single‐strand conformation polymorphism) and PCR‐SSP (PCR amplification with sequence specific primers) analyses performed on more than 1100 samples from 65 populations worldwide. Statistical analysis usingFSTand analysis of molecular variance did not show significant genetic differentiation among theH. tiliaceuspopulations in the three oceanic regions. The results reported here suggested substantial gene flow occurred between populations in the different oceanic regions due to sea‐drifted seeds. A strong genetic difference between the Pacific and Atlantic populations ofHibiscus pernambucensisArruda was observed, which indicates that gene flow in this species between the two regions has been prevented. The wide and dominant distribution of a haplotype shared byH. pernambucensisandH. tiliaceusin the Atlantic region suggests significant introgression between the two species in this region.
Decoupled mitochondrial and chloroplast DNA population structure reveals Holocene collapse and population isolation in a threatened Mexican‐endemic conifer
Authors: JARAMILLO‐CORREA JUAN P. , BEAULIEU JEAN , LEDIG F. THOMAS , BOUSQUET JEAN
Published: July 2006

Chihuahua spruce (Picea chihuahuana Martínez) is a montane subtropical conifer endemic to the Sierra Madre Occidental in northwestern México. Range‐wide variation was investigated using maternally inherited mitochondrial (mtDNA) and paternally inherited chloroplast (cpDNA) DNA markers. Among the 16 mtDNA regions analysed, only two mitotypes were detected, while the study of six cpDNA microsatellite markers revealed eight different chlorotypes. The average cpDNA diversity (H = 0.415) was low but much higher than that for mtDNA (H = 0). The distribution of mitotypes revealed two clear nonoverlapping areas (GST = NST = 1), one including northern populations and the second one including the southern and central stands, suggesting that these two regions may represent different ancestral populations. The cpDNA markers showed lower population differentiation (GST = 0.362; RST = 0.230), implying that the two ancestral populations continued to exchange pollen after their initial geographic separation. A lack of a phylogeographic structure was revealed by different spatial analyses of cpDNA (GST > RST; and samova), and reduced cpDNA gene flow was noted among populations (Nm = 0.873). Some stands deviated significantly from the mutation–drift equilibrium, suggesting recent bottlenecks. Altogether, these various trends are consistent with the hypothesis of a population collapse during the Holocene warming and suggest that most of the modern P. chihuahuana populations are now effectively isolated with their genetic diversity essentially modelled by genetic drift. The conservation efforts should focus on most southern populations and on the northern and central stands exhibiting high levels of genetic diversity. Additional mtDNA sequence analysis confirmed that P. martinezii (Patterson) is not conspecific with P. chihuahuana, and thus deserves separate conservation efforts.
Diversity of microcystin genotypes among populations of the filamentous cyanobacteria Planktothrix rubescens and Planktothrix agardhii
Authors: KURMAYER RAINER , GUMPENBERGER MARLIES
Published: July 2006

Microcystins (MCs) are toxic heptapeptides that are produced by filamentous cyanobacteria Planktothrix rubescens and Planktothrix agardhii via nonribosomal peptide synthesis. MCs share a common structure cyclo (‐D‐Alanine1‐L‐X2‐ D‐erythro‐ß‐iso‐aspartic acid3‐L‐Z4‐Adda5‐D‐Glutamate6‐ N‐methyl‐dehydroalanine7) where X2 and Z2 are variable L‐amino acids in positions 2, 4 of the molecule. Part of the mcyB gene (1,451 bp) that is involved in the activation of the X2 amino acid during MC synthesis was sequenced in 49 strains containing different proportions of arginine, homotyrosine, and leucine in position 2 of the MC molecule. Twenty‐five genotypes were found that consisted of eight genotype groups (A‐H, comprising 2‐11 strains) and 17 unique genotypes. P. rubescens and P. agardhii partly consisted of the same mcyB genotypes. The occurrence of numerous putative recombination events that affected all of the genotypes can explain the conflict between taxonomy and mcyB genotype distribution. Genotypes B (homotyrosine and leucine in X2) and C (arginine in X2) showed higher nonsynonymous/synonymous (dN/dS) substitution ratios implying a relaxation of selective constraints. In contrast, other genotypes (arginine, leucine, homotyrosine) showed lowest dN/dS ratios implying purifying selection. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) revealed the unambiguous identification of mcyB genotypes, which are indicative of variable X2 amino acids in eight populations of P. rubescens in the Alps (Austria, Germany, and Switzerland). The populations were found to differ significantly in the proportion of specific genotypes and the number of genotypes that occurred over several years. It is concluded that spatial isolation might favour the genetic divergence of microcystin synthesis in Planktothrix spp.
The phenazine pyocyanin is a terminal signalling factor in the quorum sensing network of Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Dietrich Lars E. P. , Price‐Whelan Alexa , Petersen Ashley , Whiteley Marvin , Newman Dianne K.
Published: July 2006

Certain members of the fluorescent pseudomonads produce and secrete phenazines. These heterocyclic, redox‐active compounds are toxic to competing organisms, and the cause of these antibiotic effects has been the focus of intense research efforts. It is largely unknown, however, how pseudomonads themselves respond to – and survive in the presence of – these compounds. Using Pseudomonas aeruginosa DNA microarrays and quantitative RT‐PCR, we demonstrate that the phenazine pyocyanin elicits the upregulation of genes/operons that function in transport [such as the resistance‐nodulation‐cell division (RND) efflux pump MexGHI‐OpmD] and possibly in redox control (such as PA2274, a putative flavin‐dependant monooxygenase), and downregulates genes involved in ferric iron acquisition. Strikingly, mexGHI‐opmD and PA2274 were previously shown to be regulated by the PA14 quorum sensing network that controls the production of virulence factors (including phenazines). Through mutational analysis, we show that pyocyanin is the physiological signal for the upregulation of these quorum sensing‐controlled genes during stationary phase and that the response is mediated by the transcription factor SoxR. Our results implicate phenazines as signalling molecules in both P. aeruginosa PA14 and PAO1.
Biosynthesis of UDP‐glucuronic acid in developing soybean embryos: possible role of UDP‐sugar pyrophosphorylase
Authors: Litterer Lynn A. , Plaisance Kathryn L. , Schnurr Judy A. , Storey Kathleen K. , Jung Hans‐Joachim G. , Gronwald John W. , Somers David A.
Published: July 2006

During soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] embryo development, cell wall polysaccharides (CWPs) derived from UDP‐glucuronic acid (UDP‐GlcA) (uronic acids, arabinose, xylose) exhibited a linear increase during the period of 25–45 days after flowering (daf). At embryo maturity, CWPs derived from UDP‐GlcA accounted for 39% of total CWPs. To ascertain the relative importance of the nucleotide sugar oxidation (NSO) and the myo‐inositol oxidation (MIO) pathways to UDP‐GlcA biosynthesis, UDP‐glucose (UDP‐Glc) dehydrogenase (UDP‐Glc DH, EC 1.1.1.22) and UDP‐glucuronic acid pyrophosphorylase (UDP‐GlcA PPase, EC 2.7.7.44) activities, respectively, were measured in desalted extracts of developing embryos. UDP‐Glc DH and UDP‐GlcA PPase activities, expressed on a per seed basis, increased 3.5‐ and 3.9‐fold, respectively, during the period of 25–45 daf. However, UDP‐GlcA PPase activity was 35–50‐fold greater than UDP‐Glc DH activity. The soybean UDP‐sugar pyrophosphorylase gene (USP1), a homolog of pea USP, and a candidate gene for UDP‐GlcA PPase, was cloned and the recombinant enzyme characterized. Recombinant soybean USP1 (71 kDa) exhibited high activity with glucuronic acid 1‐phosphate (GlcA‐1‐P), glucose 1‐phosphate (Glc‐1‐P) and galactose 1‐phosphate (Gal‐1‐P), but low activity with mannose 1‐phosphate (Man‐1‐P), N‐acetylglucosamine 1‐phosphate and Glc‐6‐P. Determination of kinetic constants indicated that USP1 has a higher affinity for GlcA‐1‐P (Km= 0.14 ± 0.02 mM) than for Glc‐1‐P (Km= 0.23 ± 0.02 mM). Semiquantitative RT‐PCR was used to measure transcript levels of the UDP‐glucose DH (UGD) and USP gene families in developing soybean embryos. Transcript levels, normalized to the 18S rRNA controls, were greater for UGD than USP throughout embryo development. The possibility that USP serves as UDP‐GlcA PPase, the terminal enzyme of the MIO pathway, is discussed.
The blood centre as a community health resource
Authors: Davey Richard J.
Published: July 2006

Blood centres in the USA encounter over 35 000 blood donors every day, a number that is far exceeded worldwide. This daily encounter of thousands of people with the healthcare system offers an unusual opportunity for blood centres to engage these donors in ways that contribute to individual and community health. In addition, a positive interaction at the blood centre may encourage donors to return more often, thus enhancing the blood supply. The wealth of medical information gathered by blood centres also presents an opportunity for epidemiological studies of health and illness that affect the community at large. Donors receive a ‘mini‐physical’ as part of the donor qualification process. Required procedures include blood pressure measurement and haemoglobin determination. Targeted education, counselling and referral of donors with hypertension and/or low haemoglobin engages them in the care of critical personal health issues. Carbonyl iron supplied to female donors of child‐bearing age replaces iron lost in the donation and can retain them as active blood donors. A range of optional screening tests and procedures offer enhanced interactions between the donor and the blood centre. Inexpensive tests, such as cholesterol and random blood glucose determination, can detect abnormalities that may initiate further medical interventions to address cardiovascular and diabetic risks. These enhanced medical interactions with donors must be undertaken with care and appropriate medical supervision. However, the opportunity, indeed the responsibility, to act on important medical information enhances the range of medical support for donors and is an opening for blood centres to expand their involvement in the health of the community.
Apoptosis‐independent Poor Morphology of Bovine Embryos Produced by Multiple Ovulation
Authors: Ikeda S , Prendes JM , Alonso‐Montes C , Rodríguez A , Díez C , Kitagawa M , Imai H , Gómez E
Published: July 2006

Contents

In multiple ovulation and embryo transfer (MOET) programmes in cattle, a considerable number of morphologically poor‐quality embryos continue to be produced; this is one of the limiting factors of the technique. Apoptosis has often been implicated in developmental arrest and fragmentation; these are regarded as poor traits of embryonic quality in mammalian pre‐implantation embryos. In the present study, apoptosis was assessed in morphologically poor‐quality embryos in comparison with good‐quality embryos that were recovered from a MOET programme. Retarded embryos (two to 16 cell stage), morulae with severe fragmentation and morphologically good‐quality morulae recovered from superstimulated cows at day 7 post‐insemination were subjected to TdT‐mediated dUTP nick‐end labelling (TUNEL) and Hoechst staining. Cell nuclei that showed both TUNEL staining and apoptotic morphology were considered to be apoptotic. Apoptotic index (AI) was calculated as the percentage of apoptotic cells per embryo. Fifteen of 17 retarded embryos and 10 of 15 morphologically poor‐quality morulae did not show signs of apoptosis. The mean AIs in the morphologically poor‐quality embryos (two to 16 cell stage, 2.2%; poor morulae, 1.3%) were as low as that in the good‐quality embryos (2.9%). These results suggest that another mode of developmental arrest and/or fragmentation that is independent of apoptosis occurs in morphologically poor‐quality embryos recovered from MOET programmes.
The Effect of Dose and Route of Administration of R‐cloprostenol on the Parturient Response of Sows
Authors: Kaeoket K
Published: July 2006

Contents

The aims of the present study were to further examine the efficacy of different doses and routes of R‐cloprostenol administration on the parturition response in sows. Fifty crossbred multiparous sows (Landrace × Yorkshire) with an average parity number of 4.7 ± 2.4 were allocated to induce farrowing by one of the following treatments: Group I (control, n = 10) injection with normal saline 2 ml administered intramuscularly (i.m.); Group II (n = 10) injection with 75 μg of R‐cloprostenol administered i.m. (at 7 am);Group III (n = 10) injection with 75 μg of R‐cloprostenol (at 7 am) together with 10 IU of oxytocin (24 h after injection of R‐cloprostenol) administered i.m.; Group IV (n = 10) injection with 37.5 μg of R‐cloprostenol (at 7 am) administered into perivulva region; Group V (n = 10) injection with 37.5 μg of R‐cloprostenol (at 7 am) administered into perivulva region together with 10 IU of oxytocin (24 h after injection of R‐cloprostenol) administered i.m. The following parameters: pre‐farrowing maternal behaviour, restless behaviour, R‐cloprostenol or oxytocin injection to farrowing interval, expulsion intervals, duration of farrowing, total number of piglets born, litter birthweight, umbilical cord morphology and the degree of meconium staining were record. There were no significant differences among groups for the pre‐farrowing maternal behaviours. In all the sows, the restless behaviour was not observed. There were no significant effect of oxytocin administration (10 IU, i.m.) on the percentage of umbilical cord morphology and the degree of meconium staining in different groups. There were no significant effect of route and dose of administration on the number of total piglet born, piglet born alive, stillbirth, mummy and litter birthweight. No significant effects of the different groups were found on the R‐cloprostenol and oxytocin injection to farrowing interval, expulsion interval and farrowing duration. In conclusion, the present results demonstrated that a half dose (37.5 μg) of R‐cloprostenol administered into the perivulva region was effective for inducing farrowing as the full recommended dose (75 μg) administered into the neck region (i.m.) and with no restless behaviour.
Effects of Constant, 9 and 16‐h Light Cycles on Sperm Quality, Semen Storage Ability and Motile Sperm Subpopulations Structure of Boar Semen
Authors: Rivera MM , Quintero‐Moreno A , Barrera X , Rigau T , Rodríguez‐Gil JE
Published: July 2006

Contents

This study was performed to test the effect that two separate, daily, constant‐light regimes of both 9 and 16 h could have on the main parameters of boar‐semen quality analysis, as well as on the motile sperm subpopulations structure and the ability of its conservation at 16°C. Results show that both luminous regimes have slight, specific effects on the main parameters of boar‐semen quality analysis, as well as on the motile sperm subpopulations structure. Furthermore, the conservation ability at 16°C of boar semen was not significantly different between both photoperiods. When a temporal study was performed, results showed that semen quality and motility parameter changes were stabilized at nearly constant values from the second month of the study to the last month in both luminous regimes, indicating a rapid light‐related effect on testicular function. Our results indicate that light regimes oscillating from 9 h daily to 16 h daily are of little importance in the control of boar‐semen quality in a farming environment.
Follicle Ablation Improves the Ovarian Response and the Number of Collected Embryos in Superovulated Cows During the Early Stages of Lactation
Authors: Amiridis GS , Tsiligianni T. , Vainas E
Published: July 2006

Contents

A field study was designed to compare ovarian response and embryo yield in cows during early lactation when gonadotropin administration followed one of four treatments. In group 1A (n = 19) and 1B (n = 9), the estrouses were synchronized by two prostaglandin F2α (PG) injections given 11 days apart, and starting from day 9 of the synchronized cycle superovulation was conducted with eight decreasing dose of FSH. In group 1B, ablation of all follicles >3 mm was carried out on day 8. In group 2A and 2B (each n = 9), a progesterone plus oestradiol intravaginal device (PRID) was inserted for 11 days and gonadotropin administration started on day 9, while cows from group 2B had a follicle ablation on day 8. In all groups, two PG injections were given along with the sixth and the seventh dose of FSH, and the cows were twice inseminated 12 and 24 h after estrus detection. Embryos were collected on day 7. In cumulative results from aspirated and non‐aspirated cows, follicular ablation significantly improved: the ovarian response (10 ± 1.23 vs 6.69 ± 0.60 corpora lutea per donor), the mean collected embryos (6.57 ± 0.94 vs 2.46 ± 0.53) and the mean transferable embryos (4.43 ± 0.89 vs 2.18 ± 0.47). Group 1B and 2B cows had better ovarian response than 1A (6.44 ± 0.81, 12.25 ± 4.11 and 9.44 ± 0.93, for groups 1A, 1B and 2B, respectively, p < 0.05). Similarly, from groups 1B and 2B more (p < 0.05) embryos were collected in comparison with their respective group, while the mean transferable embryos from group 2B (5.22 ± 1.13) was greater (p < 0.05) than that of group 1A (1.67 ± 0.35), and tented to be greater than those of groups 2A (3.44 ± 1.19, p = 0.062) and 1B (3.00 ± 1.78, p = 0.066). The highest (p < 0.05) transferable embryo collection rate was recorded in group 2B (55.29%), followed by that of group 1B (41.33%). In summary, early in lactation, an acceptable number of transferable embryos can be collected from high producing dairy cows, when follicle ablation prior to superovulation is combined with progesterone and oestradiol administration.
Suicide attempts versus suicidal ideation in bulimic female adolescents
Authors: NICKEL CERSTIN , SIMEK MARJETA , MOLEDA ALDONA , MUEHLBACHER MORITZ , BUSCHMANN WIEBKE , FARTACEK REINHOLD , BACHLER EGON , EGGER CHRISTOPH , ROTHER WOLFHARDT K. , LOEW THOMAS H. , NICKEL MARIUS K.
Published: July 2006

Background: Suicide attempts by adolescents continue to be a major public health problem. The purpose of this study was to examine the difference in the family functioning and sociopsychopathological risk factor relationship between female bulimic adolescents with suicidal ideation only, and those who attempted suicide.

Methods: A group of 211 patients were observed for 12 months. Data from 63 subjects (SUG [suicide group], age 17.2 ± 1.3 years) who had attempted suicide were then compared with 148 (control group, age 18.1 ± 1.5 years) who had expressed suicidal ideation but did not follow through.

Results: Those in the suicide attempt group had been exposed more frequently to physical/sexual violence in childhood. As adults they either lived alone or were dissatisfied with their partnership. The frequency of borderline personality disorders and depressive disorders in this group was significant. Psychosomatic symptoms, disturbed coenesthesia, substance abuse, social impairment and interference with their perception of their own life circumstances, as well as their job performance, often preceded the suicide attempt. Nine genuine risk factors that occurred significantly more often in the SUG were calculated out of all the stress factors using stepwise logistic regression: ‘as a child I was even hit with a stick or whip’, ‘I had no set orientation in life’, ‘I had a feeling of loneliness despite family and friends’, ‘I could not relax’, ‘incapable of dealing with the public’, ‘I do not like to be touched’, ‘parents have psychiatric disorders’, ‘misuse of stimulants’, and ‘as a child I felt lonely’ (odds ratio, 10.56–1.90).

Conclusion: Adverse family experiences and multiple sociopsychopathological factors may increase the risk of suicide in female bulimic adolescents.
Possible effect of leptin on renal magnesium excretion in adolescent patients with type 1 diabetes
Authors: ATABEK MEHMET EMRE , KURTOGLU SELIM , PIRGON OZGUR
Published: July 2006

Background: Hypomagnesaemia and hyperleptinemia are common in patients with diabetes. Moreover, it has been demonstrated that leptin stimulates diuresis and natriuresis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between serum leptin, serum magnesium (Mg) and urinary Mg/urinary creatinine levels in patients with type 1 diabetes.

Methods: Serum leptin and Mg and urinary Mg/urinary creatinine levels were measured in 67 patients with diabetes (33 girls and 34 boys). The age, diabetes duration, anthropometric and metabolic parameters of the subjects were matched between girls and boys. The relation of serum leptin levels to serum and urinary Mg/urinary creatinine levels was assessed.

Results: Serum leptin levels of girls with diabetes were higher than those of the boys (14 ± 5.3 μg/L vs 5.8 ± 1.5 μg/L, P < 0.001, respectively). The differences for serum Mg and for urinary Mg/urinary creatinine levels were not significant between girls and boys with diabetes. Leptin levels were correlated with urinary Mg/urinary creatinine levels in both girls and boys (r =  0.39, P =  0.02 and r =  0.37, P =  0.03, respectively). In a multivariate regression model, leptin emerged as independent correlates for mean urinary Mg/urinary creatinine in both girls and boys with the total variance explained being 14%, and 15%, respectively.

Conclusion: The data suggest that serum leptin might be related to increased urinary Mg loss in patients with type I diabetes.
Urease activity does not reflect the degree of colonization by Helicobacter pylori in children
Authors: MACHADO RODRIGO STREHL , KAWAKAMI ELISABETE , PATRÍCIO FRANCY REIS DA SILVA , REBER MARIALICE
Published: July 2006

Background: Urea breath test is an accurate method for the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection in children. This test could estimate the bacterial load by measuring the urease activity in gastric mucosa. The aim of the study was to correlate the result of 13C‐urea breath test (13C‐UBT) and histological estimative for bacterial colonization and severity of inflammatory infiltrate.

Methods: Forty‐four patients (mean age 8.54 ± 3.9 years) with dyspeptic symptoms were evaluated. Patients were evaluated through endoscopy and 13C‐UBT. Helicobacter pylori infection was defined by histology, rapid urease test and 13C‐UBT. Breath test results were expressed by delta over baseline (DOB) and urea hydrolysis rate (UHR). Test results were treated logarithmically for statistical analysis.

Results: There was a significant inverse correlation between age and Log DOB (–0.501, P= 0.0005), but there was no relationship between Log UHR and age (–0.148, P= 0.336). The study did not find correlation between the breath test result and histological grades for mononuclear infiltrate, neutrophilic infiltrate and bacterial density.

Conclusion: The 13C‐UBT does not estimate the severity of histological findings in children with Helicobacter pylori infection. The results of the breath test should be interpreted in a qualitative way.
The role of debris‐induced cantilever effects in cyclic fatigue of micron‐scale silicon films
Authors: PIERRON O. N. , MUHLSTEIN C. L.
Published: July 2006

The presence of debris, surface roughness, or other asperities on crack faces creates a geometry that is reminiscent of a lever (the crack face) on a fulcrum (the debris or surface asperity). This ‘cantilever effect’ is intuitive and is routinely forwarded as a mechanism for crack advance when compressive loads are applied. Recently this cantilever effect has also been linked to fatigue of micron‐scale silicon films. Finite‐element modelling was used in this study to evaluate different wedging configurations that would be likely to occur within micromachined silicon thin films. The results of the model clearly show that wedges or other asperities in the wake of a crack do not increase the magnitude of the stress intensity factor during compression.
Characterisation of equivalent initial flaw sizes in 7050 aluminium alloy
Authors: MOLENT L. , SUN Q. , GREEN A. J.
Published: July 2006

This paper summarises a collation of crack growth related data from a significant number of fatigue tests on commercial quality 7050‐series aluminium alloy tested under various F/A‐18 aircraft spectra. The data presented consist of quantitative fractography measurements of the fracture surfaces including effective initiating defect size and type (mechanical, environmental or chemical). Three different surface conditions were considered: chemically etched, glass bead peened and machined. The purpose of providing these data was to facilitate analyses on the parameters governing the propagation of fatigue cracks in the 7050‐series aluminium alloy. Here an investigation to determine whether surface finish or applied stress and spectra have any bearing on the initial defect size or the damage type is summarised. Based on this investigation, it appears that the applied stress and spectra have no correlation to the size of the equivalent initiating flaw; however, the surface finish appears to influence the various crack‐initiating mechanisms and to govern the formation of the damage type.
Elucidating Early Mechanisms of Developmental Psychopathology: The Case of Prenatal Smoking and Disruptive Behavior
Authors: Wakschlag Lauren S. , Leventhal Bennett L. , Pine Daniel S. , Pickett Kate E. , Carter Alice S.
Published: July 2006

There is a robust association between prenatal smoking and disruptive behavior disorders, but little is known about the emergence of such behaviors in early development. The association of prenatal smoking and hypothesized behavioral precursors to disruptive behavior in toddlers (N=93) was tested. Exposed toddlers demonstrated atypical behavioral patterns, including (1) escalating externalizing problems from 18 to 24 months and (2) observed difficulty modulating behavior in response to social cues. Specification of exposure‐related behaviors is a first step toward generating testable hypotheses about putative mechanisms of effect. While it remains unclear whether prenatal exposure plays an etiologic role in the emergence of disruptive behavior, atypical exposure‐related behavioral patterns are evident in the first years of life and demonstrate developmental coherence.
Peer Contagion of Aggression and Health Risk Behavior Among Adolescent Males: An Experimental Investigation of Effects on Public Conduct and Private Attitudes
Authors: Cohen Geoffrey L. , Prinstein Mitchell J.
Published: July 2006

Peer contagion of adolescent males' aggressive/health risk behaviors was examined using a computerized “chat room” experimental paradigm. Forty‐three 11th‐grade White adolescents (16–17 years old) were led to believe that they were interacting with other students (i.e., “e‐confederates”), who endorsed aggressive/health risk behaviors and whose ostensible peer status was experimentally manipulated. Adolescents displayed greater public conformity, more internalization of aggressive/health risk attitudes, and a higher frequency of actual exclusionary behavior when the e‐confederates were high in peer status than low. Participants' level of social anxiety moderated peer contagion. Nonsocially anxious participants conformed only to high‐status peers, whereas socially anxious participants were equally influenced by low‐ and high‐status peers. The role of status‐maintenance motivations in aggression and risk behavior, and implications for preventive intervention, are discussed.
Children's Distributive Justice Judgments: Aversive Racism in Euro‐American Children?
Authors: McGillicuddy‐De Lisi Ann V. , Daly Melissa , Neal Angela
Published: July 2006

Euro‐American 2nd‐ and 4th‐grade children (Ms=7.67 and 9.82 years) heard stories about Black and White characters who produced artwork yielding a windfall reward. Children allocated rewards to characters, justified their allocations, and judged the fairness of patterns representing different justice principles. Older children allocated more money to Black than White productive characters and to White than Black needy characters, consistent with predictions from aversive racism theory. Rationales most often relied on equality principles; older children gave more equity‐based justifications for Black than for White characters. Fairness ratings of patterns representing 4 justice principles revealed effects for age and character race. Implications for understanding the developmental course of moral judgments as they apply to racial differences are discussed.
Elasticity of Substitution and the Persistence of the Deviation of the Real Exchange Rates
Authors: Morshed A. K. M. Mahbub , Turnovsky Stephen J.
Published: July 2006

Empirical evidence suggests (i) that the real exchange rates of developing economies show less persistence than do those of more advanced economies, and (ii) that the elasticity of substitution between capital and labor tends to increase from below unity for less developed economies to above one for more advanced economies. This paper shows how the introduction of sectoral adjustment costs in a two‐sector model of a small open economy, together with CES production functions, provides a very natural explanation of this empirical regularity. Other aspects of the relationship between the technologies and the speed of convergence of the real exchange rate are also discussed.
Relative Price Changes, Wages and Unemployment in a Specific Factors Model with Search Frictions
Authors: Wälde Klaus , Weiss Pia
Published: July 2006

This paper analyzes the effects of changes in the relative product price on wages and unemployment of a small open economy in a specific factors model characterized by search frictions. It shows that unemployment and wages move in opposite directions, i.e., high unemployment is associated with low wages and low unemployment with high wages. The reason for the employment effect is found to be individual wage bargaining.
“Do Fiscal Deficits Influence Current Accounts? A Case Study of India”
Authors: Parikh Ashok , Rao Bill
Published: July 2006

This paper examines the effects of fiscal deficits on the current account deficits in the Indian economy. In many developing countries, fiscal deficits are mostly financed through monetization, causing crowding out of private investment expenditures. However, fiscal deficits in India are mostly financed through official borrowings from various external sources, leading to higher interest payments and outgoings on the external account. Such a policy could eventually precipitate balance of payments crises despite favorable trade account and real exchange rate. Data over three decades for the Indian economy show that, in addition to the real exchange rate and the ratio of private investment to GDP, fiscal deficits significantly contribute to the current account deficits.
Performance assessment and improvement of control charts for statistical batch process monitoring
Authors: Ramaker Henk‐Jan , Van Sprang Eric N. M. , Westerhuis Johan A. , Gurden Stephen P. , Smilde Age K. , Van Der Meulen Frank H.
Published: July 2006

This paper describes the concepts of statistical batch process monitoring and the associated problems. It starts with an introduction to process monitoring in general which is then extended to batch process monitoring. The performance of control charts for batch process monitoring is discussed by means of two performance indices: the overall type I error and the action signal time. Problems associated with the existing approach are discussed and highlighted. Improvements are suggested and checked with the performance indices. To evaluate the effect of the proposed improvements as well as to assess the performance of the existing approach, an industrial batch production process is used.
Pooling‐Based Data Interpolation and Backdating
Authors: Marcellino Massimiliano
Published: July 2006

Abstract.  Pooling forecasts obtained from different procedures typically reduces the mean square forecast error and more generally improve the quality of the forecast. In this paper, we evaluate whether pooling‐interpolated or‐backdated time series obtained from different procedures can also improve the quality of the generated data. Both simulation results and empirical analyses with macroeconomic time series indicate that pooling plays a positive and important role in this context also.
Moving Average Representations for Multivariate Stationary Processes
Authors: Soltani A. R. , Mohammadpour M.
Published: July 2006

Abstract.  Backward and forward moving average (MA) representations are established for multivariate stationary processes. It is observed that in the multivariate case, in contrast to the univariate case, the backward and forward MA coefficients correspondingly, in general, are different. A method is presented to adopt the known techniques in deriving the backward MA to obtain the forward ones.
THE PROVENANCE OF IRON ARTEFACTS FROM MANCHING: A MULTI‐TECHNIQUE APPROACH*
Authors: SCHWAB R. , HEGER D. , HÖPPNER B. , PERNICKA E.
Published: July 2006

Iron finds from the Celtic oppidum of Manching in southern Bavaria (Germany) are analysed in view of their possible provenance. The exceptional size and the location of Manching are usually attributed to the presence of abundant iron ores in its vicinity. After a review of previous approaches for source determination of iron artefacts, we introduce lead isotope analysis as a new approach. However, only by combining the trace element patterns of slag inclusions and iron metal with lead isotope ratios in the metal is it possible to distinguish various iron ore formations near Manching. As a result, it turns out that, indeed, the most obvious ones—namely, bog ores near the Danube—constituted the main resources for iron production at Manching. It was even possible to select one occurrence as the most likely ore source.
SIMS‐SS, A NEW OBSIDIAN HYDRATION DATING METHOD: ANALYSIS AND THEORETICAL PRINCIPLES*
Authors: LIRITZIS I.
Published: July 2006

The water diffusion mechanism in obsidian has been revisited with the advent of a new dating approach employing secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). The water diffusion SIMS(+) profile and the concept of a surface saturation (SS) layer in obsidians both provide a sound basis for the new diffusion age equation (SIMS‐SS) and are supported by dated world examples (

Liritzis et al. 2004
). Here, we present the basic physical–chemical analysis of the mass transport phenomenon on which the new dating method is based. The crucial age parameter of the SIMS‐SS dating approach for archaeological obsidians—that is, the surface saturation (SS) layer—is supported by both theoretical and experimental data.
Executive Function and Memory in Relation to Olfactory Deficits in Alcohol‐dependent Patients
Authors: Rupp Claudia I. , Fleischhacker W. Wolfgang , Drexler Arthur , Hausmann Armand , Hinterhuber Hartmann , Kurz Martin
Published: July 2006

Background: Prior research indicates that chronic alcoholism is accompanied by olfactory deficits. These have been suggested to reflect dysfunctions in olfactory brain regions. The present study investigated the role of neurocognitive functioning in tests (executive function and memory) sensitive to the functional integrity of brain areas that are crucial to olfactory processing in patients with alcohol dependence.

Methods: Performance on olfactory functions (detection threshold, quality discrimination, identification), executive function (Wisconsin Card Sorting Test), and memory (German version of the California Verbal Learning Test) was assessed in 32 alcohol‐dependent patients and 30 healthy comparison subjects, comparable in age, gender, and smoking status.

Results: Compared with controls, alcohol‐dependent patients were impaired in all 3 domains, olfactory functions, executive function, and memory. In patients, olfactory discrimination ability was positively correlated with executive function performance. Regression analyses conducted to clarify the relation between group (patients vs controls), executive function, memory, and olfactory functions indicated that group was the only significant predictor of olfactory detection threshold and identification, and both group and executive function were found to be the significant predictors of olfactory discrimination.

Conclusions: Olfactory deficits in alcohol dependence appear to be associated with prefrontal cognitive dysfunction. Results indicate that olfactory quality discrimination deficits are related to executive function impairment. These findings add to the available research on frontal lobe dysfunction in alcoholism, suggesting that alcohol‐related olfactory discrimination deficits may be associated with impairment in the functional integrity of the prefrontal lobe.
Serum Leptin in Patients with Alcoholic Liver Disease
Authors: Naveau Sylvie , Perlemuter Gabriel , Chaillet Muriel , Raynard Bruno , Balian Axel , Beuzen Fabienne , Portier Alain , Galanaud Pierre , Emilie Dominique , Chaput Jean‐Claude
Published: July 2006

Background: The mechanisms by which overweight makes the liver more susceptible to alcoholic liver injury remain to be determined. Therefore, we conducted the following studies to further elucidate the role of leptin in the pathogenesis of steatosis and cirrhosis caused by chronic alcohol consumption in human beings.

Methods: Two‐hundred nine consecutive patients with alcoholic liver disease were studied. Serum leptin concentrations were measured by using radioimmunoassay, and the relationships between serum leptin level and liver lesions were studied. Statistical analysis used logistic regressions.

Results: When serum leptin, serum cholesterol, and body mass index (BMI) were considered together in the multiple logistic regression analysis, compared with patients with severe steatosis, serum leptin remains significantly lower in patients without steatosis (p<0.05) and in patients with mild or moderate steatosis (p<0.05). When age, serum leptin, serum cholesterol, and steatosis grade were considered together in the logistic regression analysis, serum leptin (p<0.01) and age (p<0.02) were positively and independently correlated with the presence of cirrhosis. After BMI introduction in the statistical model, serum leptin was no more correlated with the presence of cirrhosis.

Conclusion: In patients with alcoholic liver disease, serum leptin is independently correlated with steatosis grade and might play an important role in severity of fibrosis as fatty liver is more vulnerable than normal liver to factors that lead to fibrosis.
Signaling Pathways Regulating Cell Motility: A Role in Ethanol Teratogenicity?
Authors: Lindsley Tara A. , Miller Michael W. , Littner Yoav , Bearer Cynthia F.
Published: July 2006

This article summarizes the proceedings of a symposium presented at the 2005 annual meeting of the Research Society on Alcoholism in Santa Barbara, California. The organizer and chair was Tara A. Lindsley. The presentations were (1) Ethanol and Neuron Migration in the CNS, by Michael W. Miller; (2) Ethanol and L1‐mediated Neurite Outgrowth, by Yoav Littner and Cynthia F. Bearer; and (3) Ethanol and Axon Guidance, by Tara A. Lindsley.
A comprehensive and critical review of dental implant placement in diabetic animals and patients
Authors: Kotsovilis Sotirios , Karoussis Ioannis K. , Fourmousis Ioannis
Published: July 2006

Objectives: A thorough and exhaustive analysis of the available studies concerning placement of endosseous dental implants in diabetic subjects has not been previously published. The aim of the present study was to perform a comprehensive and critical review of experimental and clinical studies published in the international peer‐reviewed literature in the English language regarding endosseous implant installation in diabetic subjects and to draw evidence‐based conclusions on the effectiveness and predictability of dental implant therapy in diabetic patients.

Material and methods: Literature search for articles published up to and including March 2005 in the English language was performed with a personal computer (PC) using The National Library Of Medicine (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/PubMed) and Cochrane Oral Health Group databases. Search strategy included a specific series of terms and key words. The reference lists of identified publications, relevant texts and previous workshops were also scanned. Data sources also included several hand‐searched journals and contact with experts, when it was considered appropriate. Search was conducted independently by the three reviewers (S. K., I. K. K., I. F.). At the first phase of selection the titles and abstracts and at the second phase full papers were screened independently by the three reviewers. Disagreement regarding inclusion of full papers was resolved by discussion among the reviewers.

Results: The search provided 227 potentially relevant titles and abstracts. At the first phase of evaluation, 199 publications were rejected based on title and abstract. At the second phase, the full text of the remaining 28 publications was retrieved for more detailed evaluation. These publications included 11 experimental studies and 16 clinical studies (one clinical study corresponded to two publications). Finally, 11 experimental and eight clinical studies were accepted. Clinical studies included four prospective and four retrospective studies. Because of the limited number of available studies and their heterogeneity, focusing on a specific predefined question to be answered by a systematic review was not feasible and therefore no meta‐analysis was planned.

Conclusion: Within the limits of the existing investigations, experimental studies seem to reveal an impaired bone healing response to implant placement in diabetic animals compared with non‐diabetic controls, both quantitatively and qualitatively. The majority of clinical studies tend to indicate that diabetes is no contraindication for implant placement, on condition that it remains under metabolic control. However, definitive guidelines with objective criteria, such as type and duration of diabetes and glucosylated hemoglobin levels, need to be established in the future.