bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lucerne‐dominated fields recover native grass diversity without intensive management actions
Authors: Török Péter , Kelemen András , Valkó Orsolya , Deák Balázs , Lukács Balázs , Tóthmérész Béla
Published: November 2010

1 Spontaneous succession is often underappreciated in restoration after the cessation of intensive agricultural management. Spontaneous succession could improve the success of restoration programmes, and offers a cost‐effective option with little active intervention.

2 We studied the spontaneous recovery of loess grasslands in extensively managed lucerne Medicago sativa fields mown twice a year using space for time substitutions to highlight the importance of spontaneous processes in grassland restoration.

3 With increasing field age a gradual replacement of lucerne by perennial native grasses and forbs and increase of mean species richness was detected. As the age of fields increased, lucerne decreased from 75% to 2% of total vegetation cover, whereas perennial graminoids increased from 0·5 to 50% cover. Mean total cover showed no significant differences between the age groups; weed cover was less than 10%.

4 The phytomass of lucerne was negatively correlated with graminoid phytomass. As the age of the fields increased, lucerne phytomass decreased and grass phytomass increased. We found a negative correlation between litter and forb phytomass but there was no relationship with the age of the field. There was no litter accumulation and no increase of mean total phytomass as the age of fields increased.

5 Synthesis and applications. Native grasses within loess grasslands recovered within 10 years, but characteristic native forbs remained rare. The advantages of spontaneous succession in lucerne fields compared to technical reclamation include: (i) no early stages dominated by weeds, (ii) minimal litter accumulation, (iii) a spontaneous decrease in lucerne over time, and (iv) negligible cost. In addition, the requirement for twice yearly mowing in the early years will guarantee farmer involvement because of the high forage value of lucerne. The complete restoration of species rich grasslands will require more active management such as propagule transfer by hay and/or moderate grazing to encourage the return of native forbs.
Postnatal disclosure of domestic violence: comparison with disclosure in the first trimester of pregnancy
Authors: Keeling June , Mason Tom
Published: November 2010

Aims and objectives.  This study explored the prevalence rates of domestic violence reported during the first trimester of pregnancy and in the postnatal period.

Background.  Domestic violence is known to have a deleterious effect on the physical and psychological well‐being of a woman, with an adverse effect on the unborn child.

Design.  A validated anonymous and self‐administered questionnaire (Abuse Assessment Screen) using five closed questions was used for data collection in all samples. All women were approached alone, and the questionnaire was completed in private.

Method.  Drawn from the same geographical area, this survey collected data from women accessing hospital clinics, in a large university teaching hospital in the UK.

Results.  Comparing self‐reporting rates of domestic violence in the first trimester of pregnancy to the postnatal period yielded statistically significant results (p < 0·01). Only 7·3% booking‐in clinic and 8% postnatal women reported violence at some stage in their life, whilst higher rates in pregnancy counselling clinic (35·1%) and early pregnancy unit (26%) were reported. However, the reported rates of domestic violence in the year before the women were pregnant revealed a different trajectory. Lower rates of domestic violence were evident in three samples.

Conclusions.  The disparity in disclosure rates of domestic violence suggests that an emotional inhibitory response to disclosure may occur at specific periods of pregnancy and that the timing of asking about domestic violence may be critical to this disclosure. The pandemic nature of domestic violence reflects the need for practice in maternity care to reflect the changing needs of a woman during her gestational experience.

Relevance to clinical practice.  The primary objective of health care providers should be to engage a pregnant woman in a meaningful relationship, gaining her trust to facilitate the disclosure of domestic violence. Hence, whatever the policies for the provision of maternity care, the changing needs of a pregnant woman must be met.
Fluid manipulation among individuals with lower urinary tract symptoms: a mixed methods study
Authors: Elstad Emily A , Maserejian Nancy N , McKinlay John B , Tennstedt Sharon L
Published: November 2010

Aims and objective.  To determine, qualitatively and quantitatively, how individuals use fluid manipulation to self‐manage the urinary symptoms of daytime frequency, urgency and urine leakage and the underlying rationale for this behaviour.

Background.  Lower urinary tract symptoms are prevalent and burdensome, and little is known about how individuals with lower urinary tract symptoms manipulate their fluid intake.

Design.  A mixed methods design included statistical analysis of data from a population‐based survey of urologic symptoms and qualitative analysis of in‐depth interviews.

Method.  Quantitative data came from 5503 participants of the baseline Boston Area Community Health Survey, a population‐based, random sample epidemiologic survey of urologic symptoms. Qualitative data came from in‐depth interviews with a random subsample from Boston Area Community Health of 152 black, white and Hispanic men and women with LUTS.

Results.  Qualitative data showed that some respondents restricted fluid intake while others increased it, in both cases with the expectation of improved symptoms. Quantitative data showed that fluid intake was greater in men and women reporting frequency (p < 0·001). Women with frequency drank significantly more water (p < 0·001), while women with urgency drank significantly less water (p = 0·047).

Conclusions.  This study found divergent expectations of the role of fluids in alleviating symptoms, leading some individuals to restrict and others to increase fluid intake. Individuals with lower urinary tract symptoms may need guidance in fluid management.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Nurses should be aware that patients may self‐manage lower urinary tract symptoms by restricting fluid intake, putting them at risk for dehydration, constipation and urinary tract infection, but also that they may be increasing their fluid intake, which could worsen symptoms. This study pinpoints a specific area of need among patients with lower urinary tract symptoms and provides a practical opportunity for nurses to assist their patients with behavioural and fluid management by emphasising the clinical guidelines.
Molecular epidemiology of malaria prevalence and parasitaemia in a wild bird population
Authors: KNOWLES SARAH C. L. , WOOD MATTHEW J. , ALVES RICARDO , WILKIN TEDDY A. , BENSCH STAFFAN , SHELDON BEN C.
Published: November 2010

Avian malaria (Plasmodiumspp.) and other blood parasitic infections of birds constitute increasingly popular model systems in ecological and evolutionary host–parasite studies. Field studies of these parasites commonly use two traits in hypothesis testing: infection status (or prevalence at the population level) and parasitaemia, yet the causes of variation in these traits remain poorly understood. Here, we use quantitative PCR to investigate fine‐scale environmental and host predictors of malaria infection status and parasitaemia in a large 4‐year data set from a well‐characterized population of blue tits (Cyanistes caeruleus). We also examine the temporal dynamics of both traits within individuals. Both infection status and parasitaemia showed marked temporal and spatial variation within this population. However, spatiotemporal patterns of prevalence and parasitaemia were non‐parallel, suggesting that different biological processes underpin variation in these two traits at this scale. Infection probability and parasitaemia both increased with host age, and parasitaemia was higher in individuals investing more in reproduction (those with larger clutch sizes). Several local environmental characteristics predicted parasitaemia, including food availability, altitude, and distance from the woodland edge. Although infection status and parasitaemia were somewhat repeatable within individuals, infections were clearly dynamic: patent infections frequently disappeared from the bloodstream, with up to 26% being lost between years, and parasitaemia also fluctuated within individuals across years in a pattern that mirrored annual population‐level changes. Overall, these findings highlight the ecological complexity of avian malaria infections in natural populations, while providing valuable insight into the fundamental biology of this system that will increase its utility as a model host–parasite system.
Methylthioadenosine/S‐adenosylhomocysteine nucleosidase, a critical enzyme for bacterial metabolism
Authors: Parveen Nikhat , Cornell Kenneth A.
Published: November 2010

The importance of methylthioadenosine/S‐adenosylhomocysteine (MTA/SAH) nucleosidase in bacteria has started to be appreciated only in the past decade. A comprehensive analysis of its various roles here demonstrates that it is an integral component of the activated methyl cycle, which recycles adenine and methionine through S‐adenosylmethionine (SAM)‐mediated methylation reactions, and also produces the universal quorum‐sensing signal, autoinducer‐2 (AI‐2). SAM is also essential for synthesis of polyamines, N‐acylhomoserine lactone (autoinducer‐1), and production of vitamins and other biomolecules formed by SAM radical reactions. MTA, SAH and 5′‐deoxyadenosine (5′dADO) are product inhibitors of these reactions, and are substrates of MTA/SAH nucleosidase, underscoring its importance in a wide array of metabolic reactions. Inhibition of this enzyme by certain substrate analogues also limits synthesis of autoinducers and hence causes reduction in biofilm formation and may attenuate virulence. Interestingly, the inhibitors of MTA/SAH nucleosidase are very effective against the Lyme disease causing spirochaete, Borrelia burgdorferi, which uniquely expresses three homologous functional enzymes. These results indicate that inhibition of this enzyme can affect growth of different bacteria by affecting different mechanisms. Therefore, new inhibitors are currently being explored for development of potential novel broad‐spectrum antimicrobials.
Escape from growth restriction in small colony variants of Salmonella typhimurium by gene amplification and mutation
Authors: Pränting Maria , Andersson Dan I.
Published: November 2010

Antibiotic resistance in bacteria is generally associated with fitness costs that often can be reduced by second‐site compensatory mutations. Here, we examined how a protamine‐resistant small colony variant of Salmonella typhimurium adapts to the growth reduction conferred by a resistance mutation in hemC (encoding a haem‐biosynthesis enzyme). We show that adaptation occurs in a multi‐step process where fitness is successively increased. Thus, the initial adaptive response was selection for an unstable gene amplification of the mutant hemC gene that provided a small fitness increase. Fitness was increased further by a mutation that restored HemC function in one gene copy, relaxing selection for the amplification. Subsequently, the amplification segregated back to the haploid state and even higher fitness. The end result was in most cases mutant strains with a hemC sequence different from that of the wild‐type strain. These findings suggest that gene amplification facilitates adaptive evolution. A higher gene dosage increases the target size for compensatory mutations and improves fitness of the cell, thereby allowing an increase in the population size, further increasing the probability of a subsequent stable mutation. Our results provide a novel genetic basis for growth compensation in small colony variants.
Mycobacteria exploit three genetically distinct DNA double‐strand break repair pathways
Authors: Gupta Richa , Barkan Daniel , Redelman‐Sidi Gil , Shuman Stewart , Glickman Michael S.
Published: November 2010

Bacterial pathogens rely on their DNA repair pathways to resist genomic damage inflicted by the host. DNA double‐strand breaks (DSBs) are especially threatening to bacterial viability. DSB repair by homologous recombination (HR) requires nucleases that resect DSB ends and a strand exchange protein that facilitates homology search. RecBCD and RecA perform these functions in Escherichia coli and constitute the major pathway of error‐free DSB repair. Mycobacteria, including the human pathogen M. tuberculosis, elaborate an additional error‐prone pathway of DSB repair via non‐homologous end‐joining (NHEJ) catalysed by Ku and DNA ligase D (LigD). Little is known about the relative contributions of HR and NHEJ to mycobacterial chromosome repair, the factors that dictate pathway choice, or the existence of additional DSB repair pathways. Here we demonstrate that Mycobacterium smegmatis has three DSB repair pathway options: HR, NHEJ and a novel mechanism of single‐strand annealing (SSA). Inactivation of NHEJ or SSA is compensated by elevated HR. We find that mycobacterial RecBCD does not participate in HR or confer resistance to ionizing radiation (IR), but is required for the RecA‐independent SSA pathway. In contrast, the mycobacterial helicase–nuclease AdnAB participates in the RecA‐dependent HR pathway, and is a major determinant of resistance to IR and oxidative DNA damage. These findings reveal distinctive features of mycobacterial DSB repair, most notably the dedication of the RecBCD and AdnAB helicase–nuclease machines to distinct repair pathways.
Metabolic rate does not decrease with starvation inGryllus bimaculatuswhen changing fuel use is taken into account
Authors: SINCLAIR BRENT J. , BRETMAN AMANDA , TREGENZA TOM , TOMKINS JOSEPH L. , HOSKEN DAVID J.
Published: November 2010

Many behavioural traits are considered to be condition‐dependent, reflecting the differential allocation of resources to fitness‐related traits and maintenance, although the physiological underpinnings of condition dependence are not well understood. In the present study, the hypothesis that condition dependence in maleGryllus bimaculatusDe Geer is mediated by a decrease in metabolic rate with declining condition is tested. CO2production is measured by flow‐through respirometry, with insect condition manipulated through starvation. Crickets starved for 7 days have lower CO2emission rates than individuals starved for only 24 h. However, carbohydrate reserves are depleted in the first 3 days, suggesting that the initial metabolism is primarily fuelled by carbohydrate, with a shift to lipid stores after 3 days. If the metabolic rate is estimated using respiratory quotients reflecting this shift in fuels, there is no difference in metabolic rate between crickets starved for 24 h and 7 days, suggesting that metabolic rate does not decrease with declining condition. This implies that a decrease in metabolic rate during starvation may not be a general pattern in insects, and emphasizes the need to consider fuel use during metabolic rate estimation in starvation studies.
Spatially disaggregated disease transmission risk: land cover, land use and risk of dengue transmission on the island of Oahu
Authors: Vanwambeke Sophie O. , Bennett Shannon N. , Kapan Durrell D.
Published: November 2010

Vector‐borne diseases persist in transmission systems that usually comprise heterogeneously distributed vectors and hosts leading to a highly heterogeneous case distribution. In this study, we build on principles of classical mathematical epidemiology to investigate spatial heterogeneity of disease risk for vector‐borne diseases. Land cover delineates habitat suitability for vectors, and land use determines the spatial distribution of humans. We focus on the risk of exposure for dengue transmission on the Hawaiian island of Oahu, where the vectorAedes albopictusis well established and areas of dense human population exist. In Hawai’i, dengue virus is generally absent, but occasionally flares up when introduced. It is therefore relevant to investigate risk, but difficult to do based on disease incidence data. Based on publicly available data (land cover, land use, census data, surveillance mosquito trapping), we map the spatial distribution of vectors and human hosts and finally overlay them to produce a vector‐to‐host ratio map. The resulting high‐resolution maps indicate a high spatial variability in vector‐to‐host ratio suggesting that risk of exposure is spatially heterogeneous and varies according to land cover and land use.
A quasi‐experimental evaluation of a community‐based art therapy intervention exploring the psychosocial health of children affected by HIV in South Africa
Authors: Mueller Joanne , Alie Collin , Jonas Beatrice , Brown Elizabeth , Sherr Lorraine
Published: November 2010

Objectives  To evaluate the efficacy of the Make A Difference about Art programme, a community art programme in South Africa for children affected by HIV and AIDS, which aims to reduce psychosocial problems by increasing self‐esteem, self‐efficacy and HIV insight.

Methods  A quasi‐experimental cross‐sectional post‐intervention survey of 297 children aged 8–18 years (177 programme attendees and a control group of 120). Participants completed an inventory comprising standardized, validated psychosocial measures of depression, emotional and behavioural problems, self‐esteem and self‐efficacy and key sociodemographic variables potentially relevant as risk and protective factors.

Results  Attending the intervention was predictive of significantly higher self‐efficacy, but was not associated with differences in self‐esteem, depression, or emotional/behavioural problems. This association remained in the multivariate analysis, controlling for potential confounders. Double parental death exerted a powerful effect on child psychosocial health, eliminating the association between intervention attendance and higher self‐efficacy. However, an interaction was found between bereavement status and intervention attendance on child self‐efficacy, indicating that the intervention programme may ameliorate some of the psychosocial vulnerabilities associated with becoming an orphan. Other key risk factors for poor psychosocial health in this sample were AIDS‐related stigma and community and household violence. Social connection emerged as a key protective factor.

Conclusions  Our findings suggest that such interventions may offer opportunities to increase the self‐efficacy of vulnerable children to protect their psychological health.
Lack of association between ADIPOQ rs266729 and ADIPOQ rs1501299 polymorphisms and cardiovascular disease in rheumatoid arthritis patients
Authors: Rodríguez‐Rodríguez L. , García‐Bermúdez M. , González‐Juanatey C. , Vazquez‐Rodriguez T. R. , Miranda‐Filloy J. A. , Fernandez‐Gutierrez B. , Llorca J. , Martin J. , González‐Gay M. A.
Published: November 2010

To assess the potential association between ADIPOQ rs266729 and rs1501299 gene polymorphisms, either isolated or in combination, and cardiovascular disease in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 674 patients seen at the rheumatology outpatient clinics of Hospital Xeral‐Calde, Lugo, and Hospital San Carlos, Madrid, Spain, were analyzed. Genotyping was performed using predesigned TaqMan assays (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA). Carotid intima‐media thickness, flow‐mediated endothelium‐dependent and endothelium‐independent post‐nitroglycerin vasodilatation, which are used as surrogate markers of subclinical atherosclerosis, were measured in a subsample. No significant differences in the genotype, allele or allele combination frequencies of both polymorphisms were found between RA patients with or without cardiovascular events or subclinical atherosclerosis. Therefore, ADIPOQ rs266729 and rs1501299 polymorphisms do not seem to be associated with cardiovascular disease in RA.
Nasal nitric oxide levels in healthy pre‐school children
Authors: Piacentini G. L. , Bodini A. , Peroni D. G. , Sandri M. , Brunelli M. , Pigozzi R. , Boner A. L.
Published: November 2010

Piacentini GL, Bodini A, Peroni DG, Sandri M, Brunelli M, Pigozzi R, Boner AL. Nasal nitric oxide levels in healthy pre‐school children. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2010: 21: 1139–1145. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S

The evaluation of nasal nitric oxide (nNO) has been proposed as a screening tool in children with clinically suspectable primary ciliary dyskinesia. Nevertheless, normal values have been reported for school‐aged children. This study was designed to identify normal nNO levels in pre‐school children. nNO was assessed in 300 healthy children aged between 1.5 and 7.2. Two hundred and fifty of them were unable to fulfill the guideline requirements for nNO measurement and were assessed by sampling the nasal air continuously with a constant trans‐nasal aspiration flow for 30 s during tidal breathing. For those children who were able to cooperate, the average nNO concentration was calculated according to guidelines. A statistically significant relationship between nNO level and age was demonstrated in this study group of pre‐school children (p < 0.001). An increase in nNO of about 100 ppb was observed in children older than 6 yr vs. those aged <3. This study presents a description of normal nNO values in pre‐school children. The effect of the age and the eventual presence of rhinitis and snoring need to be considered whenever nNO is evaluated in the clinical practice, in particular in non‐cooperative children.
Reduced iNOS expression in adenoids from children with otitis media with effusion
Authors: Granath Anna , Norrby‐Teglund Anna , Uddman Rolf , Cardell Lars‐Olaf
Published: November 2010

Granath A, Norrby‐Teglund A, Uddman R, Cardell L‐O. Reduced iNOS expression in adenoids from children with otitis media with effusion. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2010: 21: 1151–1156. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S

Nitric oxide (NO) is a key mediator in the local immune response of human airways. Inducible NO‐synthases (iNOS), and endothelial NO‐synthases (eNOS) are two enzymes known to regulate its production. The role of NO in middle ear disease is not fully known. Previous studies suggest that NO might have a dual role, both promoting and suppressing middle ear inflammation. The aim of the present study was to compare the eNOS and iNOS expression in adenoids obtained from children with otitis media with effusion (OME) with the expression seen in adenoids derived from children without middle ear disease. In addition, the expression of IL‐1β and TNF‐α were analyzed, because of their role in the iNOS‐induction pathway. The iNOS and eNOS expression were analyzed with real‐time PCR in 8 OME and 11 control adenoids. The corresponding proteins were demonstrated by immunohistochemical staining of adenoid tissue. A Luminex® assay was performed to analyze IL‐1β and TNF‐α in nasopharyngeal secretion in 10 OME and 8 controls, and immunohistochemistry was performed on adenoid tissue and imprints from the adenoid surface. Children with OME exhibited lower levels of iNOS than controls without middle ear disease. No such difference was seen for eNOS. The corresponding proteins were found mainly in conjunction with surface epithelium. No significant changes were seen among the cytokines tested. The present results indicate that local induction of iNOS in adenoids might be of importance for preventing development of OME.
Root and aerial infections of Chamaecyparis lawsoniana by Phytophthora lateralis: a new threat for European countries
Authors: Robin C. , Piou D. , Feau N. , Douzon G. , Schenck N. , Hansen E. M.
Published: November 2010

Phytophthora lateralis has been isolated from root and collar lesions in Port‐Orford Cedar (POC) trees (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana) in north‐western France (Brittany). These trees, planted in hedgerows, displayed symptoms similar to the typical symptoms of POC root disease. Until now, the disease has been found outside of the nurseries only in western North America. Aerial symptoms, not associated with root or collar infections, were also observed, and P. lateralis was isolated from branch lesions. Similar symptoms were previously observed only in one POC root disease site, located in the Pacific coast of Oregon where climatic conditions are similar to those occurring in Brittany. The reported aetiology as well as the morphological characteristics (deciduous sporangia) of P. lateralis suggests that this species could be air‐dispersed, as described for P. ramorum, a closely related species. This outbreak of P. lateralis in Brittany in farming landscapes associated with the aerial spread of this pathogen represents a new threat for European countries.
Sources of Diplodia pinea endophytic infections in Pinus patula and P. radiata seedlings in South Africa
Authors: Bihon W. , Slippers B. , Burgess T. , Wingfield M. J. , Wingfield B. D.
Published: November 2010

Diplodia pinea, an opportunistic and latent pathogen, can significantly affect Pinus productivity worldwide. Despite being studied in South Africa for almost 100 years, the source of D. pinea inoculum responsible for seedling infection is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the role of seed in vertical transmission of D. pinea and to investigate sources of inoculum leading to horizontal transmission to pine seedlings. Surface‐disinfected seeds were inoculated with spore and mycelium suspensions of D. pinea to determine its effect on germination. In addition, isolation of the fungus was performed from surface‐disinfected seeds, asymptomatic seedlings collected from nurseries, plantations where pines naturally regenerate and recently established fields, to assess transmission and incidence of endophytic D. pinea infections. Inoculation of seeds with D. pinea spore suspensions affected speed and rate of germination. The fungus was isolated from surface‐disinfected seeds in only a few instances (2–3%) and was not found in healthy seedlings collected from greenhouses and nurseries, suggesting that vertical transmission of the fungus does not occur or is rare. In contrast, D. pinea was isolated from 40% of seedlings obtained from the understory of mature P. patula trees showing that horizontal transmission from mature to young trees sustains the D. pinea inoculum in South African pine plantations.
The role of yellow lupin (Lupinus luteus) in the decline affecting oak agroforestry ecosystems
Authors: Serrano M. S. , Fernández‐Rebollo P. , De Vita P. , Carbonero M. D. , Sánchez M. E.
Published: November 2010

Phytophthora cinnamomi is a soilborne pathogen causing root rot in Mediterranean Quercus species growing in ‘dehesa’ rangeland ecosystems. Recently, it has been reported causing wilting and death of Lupinus luteus (yellow lupin), a spontaneous plant in southern Spain rangelands, but also frequently sowed for livestock grazing. In soils artificially infested with P. cinnamomi chlamydospores and planted with different cultivars of yellow lupin, a significant increase in the density of propagules was detected in comparison with the initial levels of inoculum and with the infested but not planted soil (control). In oak‐rangelands in which yellow lupine was planted, isolation and counting of colonies of P. cinnamomi from soil samples have shown the ability of this plant to maintain or even increase the inoculum density and thus facilitate the infection of trees. Results suggested that cultivation of yellow lupin in oak‐rangeland ecosystems should be avoided whether oak trees are affected by root disease caused by P. cinnamomi or not. This leguminous plant can act as an inoculum reservoir or even enhance inoculum soil levels available for oak root infections, exacerbating the oak decline severity in the region.
Treatment of autoimmune hepatitis: A review of current and evolving therapies
Authors: Jothimani Dinesh , Cramp Matthew E , Mitchell Jonathon D , Cross Tim J S
Published: November 2010

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is an immune‐mediated necroinflammatory condition of the liver. Presentation can vary from the asymptomatic individual with abnormal liver function test to fulminant liver failure. The diagnosis is based on the combination of biochemical, autoimmune, and histological parameters, and exclusion of other liver diseases. Standard therapy consists of a combination of corticosteroids and azathioprine, which is efficacious in 80% of patients. Alternative therapies are increasingly being explored in patients who do not respond to the standard treatment and/or have unacceptable adverse effects. This review examines the role of alternative drugs (second‐line agents) available for AIH treatment non‐responders. These agents include budesonide, mycophenolate mofetil, cyclosporin, tacrolimus, 6‐mercaptopurine, 6‐thioguanine, rituximab, ursodeoxycholic acid, rapamycin, and methotrexate. In addition, the risk of opportunistic infections and malignancies are discussed. A treatment algorithm is proposed for the management of patients with AIH treatment non‐responders.
Microcystic/reticular schwannoma of the pancreas: A potential diagnostic pitfall
Authors: Liegl Bernadette , Bodo Koppany , Martin Daniela , Tsybrovskyy Oleksiy , Lackner Karolin , Beham Alfred
Published: November 2010

Schwannomas occurring in the pancreatic head are rare benign non‐recurring mesenchymal neoplasms and are reported to show classic morphologic features. Herein we report a case of a 62 year old male presenting with a 5 cm mass in the pancreatic head encasing the portal vein and the truncus coeliacus. Preoperative fine needle aspiration revealed malignant tumour cells consistent with a moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma. A Whipple surgery was performed after palliative chemotherapy. Histological evaluation revealed a multinodular unencapsulated tumour with focal infiltration into pancreas parenchyma and a striking microcystic/reticular growth pattern. Anastomosing and intersecting strands of spindle cells with eosinophilic cytoplasm set in a myxoid partly collagenous stroma were observed. The tumour cell nuclei were round oval and tapered and showed inconspicuous small nucleoli. Degenerative nuclear atypia was seen. Mitotic activity was sparse (1/50 HPF). Pleomorphism or necrosis was absent. The tumour cells showed strong nuclear and cytoplasmic positivity for S‐100 protein, and focal positivity for glial fibrillary acidic protein. The diagnosis of a microcystic/reticular schwannoma was made. The awareness of and, to some extent, the knowledge about this rare tumour are needed to achieve the correct diagnosis and to avoid confusion, especially with malignant pancreatic neoplasms.
New insights into the pathogenesis of perinatal hypoxic‐ischemic brain injury
Authors: Vasiljevic Brankica , Maglajlic‐Djukic Svjetlana , Gojnic Miroslava , Stankovic Sanja , Ignjatovic Svetlana , Lutovac Dragana
Published: November 2010

Background:  Pathogenesis of perinatal hypoxic‐ischemic brain injury (HIE) is complex. In this study, we examined the role of neuroinflammation, oxidative stress and growth factors in perinatal hypoxic‐ischemic brain damage.

Methods:  Ninety neonates (>32 weeks' gestation) with perinatal HIE were enrolled prospectively. Perinatal HIE was categorized into three stages according to the Sarnat and Sarnat clinical scoring system and changes seen on amplitude integrated electroencephalography. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) and glutathione peroxidase analysis was taken in the first 48 h of life and subsequent CSF for neuron‐specific enolase (NSE) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) analysis 72 h after birth. Neurodevelopmental outcome was assessed at 12 months of corrected gestational age using the Denver Developmental Screening Test.

Results:  Concentrations of NSE in CSF correlated with severity of HIE (P < 0.0001) and corresponded well with subsequent neurodevelopmental outcome. Concentrations of IL‐6 in CSF were markedly increased in neonates with severe HIE (P < 0.0001) and those with subsequent neurological sequels, but were normal in the majority of neonates with mild and moderate HIE. Glutathione peroxidase activity in CSF was significant with the stage of HIE (P < 0.0001) and gestational age (P < 0.0001) and corresponded well with subsequent neurodevelopmental outcome. Advanced stage of HIE was associated with increased concentrations of VEGF in CSF (P < 0.0001). Neurological outcomes at 12 months of age correlated best with CSF level of NSE (P < 0.001) and IL‐6 (P < 0.001).

Conclusion:  Our results suggest that neuroinflammation plays a principal role in perinatal hypoxic‐ischemic brain damage and we postulate that oxidative stress and upregulation of VEGF might be important contributing factors in the pathogenesis of hypoxic‐ischemic brain injury, particularly in preterm neonates.
Venation networks and the origin of the leaf economics spectrum
Authors: Blonder Benjamin , Violle Cyrille , Bentley Lisa Patrick , Enquist Brian J.
Published: November 2010

Ecology Letters (2011) 14: 91–100

The leaf economics spectrum describes biome‐invariant scaling functions for leaf functional traits that relate to global primary productivity and nutrient cycling. Here, we develop a comprehensive framework for the origin of this leaf economics spectrum based on venation‐mediated economic strategies. We define a standardized set of traits – density, distance and loopiness – that provides a common language for the study of venation. We develop a novel quantitative model that uses these venation traits to model leaf‐level physiology, and show that selection to optimize the venation network predicts the mean global trait–trait scaling relationships across 2548 species. Furthermore, using empirical venation data for 25 plant species, we test our model by predicting four key leaf functional traits related to leaf economics: net carbon assimilation rate, life span, leaf mass per area ratio and nitrogen content. Together, these results indicate that selection on venation geometry is a fundamental basis for understanding the diversity of leaf form and function, and the carbon balance of leaves. The model and associated predictions have broad implications for integrating venation network geometry with pattern and process in ecophysiology, ecology and palaeobotany.
Epibacterial community patterns on marine macroalgae are host‐specific but temporally variable
Authors: Lachnit Tim , Meske Diana , Wahl Martin , Harder Tilmann , Schmitz Ruth
Published: November 2010

Marine macroalgae are constantly exposed to epibacterial colonizers. The epiphytic bacterial patterns and their temporal and spatial variability on host algae are poorly understood. To investigate the interaction between marine macroalgae and epiphytic bacteria, this study tested if the composition of epibacterial communities on different macroalgae was specific and persisted under varying biotic and abiotic environmental conditions over a 2‐year observation time frame. Epibacterial communities on the co‐occurring macroalgae Fucus vesiculosus, Gracilaria vermiculophylla and Ulva intestinalis were repeatedly sampled in summer and winter of 2007 and 2008. The epibacterial community composition was analysed by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and 16S rRNA gene libraries. Epibacterial community profiles did not only differ significantly at each sampling interval among algal species, but also showed consistent seasonal differences on each algal species at a bacterial phylum level. These compositional patterns re‐occurred at the same season of two consecutive years. Within replicates of the same algal species, the composition of bacterial phyla was subject to shifts at the bacterial species level, both within the same season but at different years and between different seasons. However, 7–16% of sequences were identified as species specific to the host alga. These findings demonstrate that marine macroalgae harbour species‐specific and temporally adapted epiphytic bacterial biofilms on their surfaces. Since several algal host‐specific bacteria were highly similar to other bacteria known to either avoid subsequent colonization by eukaryotic larvae or to exhibit potent antibacterial activities, algal host‐specific bacterial associations are expected to play an important role for marine macroalgae.
Evidence‐based medicine: comparative analysis of luteinizing hormone‐releasing hormone analogues in combination with external beam radiation and surgery in the treatment of carcinoma of the prostate
Authors: González Santiago Vilar , Pijuan Xavier Maldonado
Published: November 2010

What’s known on the subject? and What does the study add?

Luteinizing hormone‐releasing hormone analogues are a cornerstone in the management of many clinical situations in prostate cancer patients. The multiplicity of drugs make it difficult to decide which is the best drug to prescribe to each patient. Whether or not the different luteinizing hormone‐releasing hormone analogues belong to the same drug class is only merely supposed.

This study adds a systematic review of the literature in order to determine whether or not the luteinizing hormone‐releasing hormone analogues available for prescription belong to the same drug class (same family, similar chemical structure, mechanism of action, and efficacy). The current evidence available is not enough to support a presumed drug class effect of the various analogues in the treatment of prostate carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE

• To study whether luteinizing hormone‐releasing hormone (LHRH) analogues are agents of the same pharmacological class, i.e. whether they have the same clinical effect, using an evidence‐based medicine approach.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

• We reviewed the evidence on the alleged ‘drug class effect’ among analogues and the existing bibliographic support for their use in various medical indications. We used PubMed as the main search source. Evidence level and degree of recommendation were assigned to each conclusion based on the ‘Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network’.

RESULTS

• There are no studies designed to answer the question of class effect between LHRH analogues or agonists. Reviews and meta‐analyses have been performed on many other issues related to therapeutic management either with analogues alone, or in combination with radiation therapy and surgery.

• Direct comparisons do not allow definitive conclusions to be reached. Indirect evidence is obtained from randomized studies comparing the different LHRH analogues with other treatments used to obtain androgen deprivation. Other issues related to pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics that can support either the existence or non‐existence of class effect were evaluated.

CONCLUSION

• The current available evidence is not enough to support a presumed class effect of the drug among the different analogues in the treatment of prostate carcinoma in its various clinical situations.
Mother Nature versus human nature: public compliance with evacuation and quarantine
Authors: Manuell Mary‐Elise , Cukor Jeffrey
Published: November 2010

Effectively controlling the spread of contagious illnesses has become a critical focus of disaster planning. It is likely that quarantine will be a key part of the overall public health strategy utilised during a pandemic, an act of bioterrorism or other emergencies involving contagious agents. While the United States lacks recent experience of large‐scale quarantines, it has considerable accumulated experience of large‐scale evacuations. Risk perception, life circumstance, work‐related issues, and the opinions of influential family, friends and credible public spokespersons all play a role in determining compliance with an evacuation order. Although the comparison is not reported elsewhere to our knowledge, this review of the principal factors affecting compliance with evacuations demonstrates many similarities with those likely to occur during a quarantine. Accurate identification and understanding of barriers to compliance allows for improved planning to protect the public more effectively.
Young Children Selectively Avoid Helping People With Harmful Intentions
Authors: Vaish Amrisha , Carpenter Malinda , Tomasello Michael
Published: November 2010

Two studies investigated whether young children are selectively prosocial toward others, based on the others’ moral behaviors. In Study 1 (N = 54), 3‐year‐olds watched 1 adult (the actor) harming or helping another adult. Children subsequently helped the harmful actor less often than a third (previously neutral) adult, but helped the helpful and neutral adults equally often. In Study 2 (N = 36), 3‐year‐olds helped an actor who intended but failed to harm another adult less often than a neutral adult, but helped an accidentally harmful and a neutral adult equally often. Children’s prosocial behavior was thus mediated by the intentions behind the actor’s moral behavior, irrespective of outcome. Children thus selectively avoid helping those who cause—or even intend to cause—others harm.
Pathways to Mathematics: Longitudinal Predictors of Performance
Authors: LeFevre Jo‐Anne , Fast Lisa , Skwarchuk Sheri‐Lynn , Smith‐Chant Brenda L. , Bisanz Jeffrey , Kamawar Deepthi , Penner‐Wilger Marcie
Published: November 2010

A model of the relations among cognitive precursors, early numeracy skill, and mathematical outcomes was tested for 182 children from 4.5 to 7.5 years of age. The model integrates research from neuroimaging, clinical populations, and normal development in children and adults. It includes 3 precursor pathways: quantitative, linguistic, and spatial attention. These pathways (a) contributed independently to early numeracy skills during preschool and kindergarten and (b) related differentially to performance on a variety of mathematical outcomes 2 years later. The success of the model in accounting for performance highlights the need to understand the fundamental underlying skills that contribute to diverse forms of mathematical competence.
Toddlers’ Prosocial Behavior: From Instrumental to Empathic to Altruistic Helping
Authors: Svetlova Margarita , Nichols Sara R. , Brownell Celia A.
Published: November 2010

The study explored how the meaning of prosocial behavior changes over toddlerhood. Sixty‐five 18‐ and 30‐month‐olds could help an adult in 3 contexts: instrumental (action based), empathic (emotion based), and altruistic (costly). Children at both ages helped readily in instrumental tasks. For 18‐month‐olds, empathic helping was significantly more difficult than instrumental helping and required greater communication from the adult about her needs. Altruistic helping, which involved giving up an object of the child’s own, was the most difficult for children at both ages. Findings suggest that over the 2nd year of life, prosocial behavior develops from relying on action understanding and explicit communications to understanding others’ emotions from subtle cues. Developmental trajectories of social‐cognitive and motivational components of early helping are discussed.
Movement Planning Reflects Skill Level and Age Changes in Toddlers
Authors: Chen Yu‐ping , Keen Rachel , Rosander Kerstin , Von Hofsten Claes
Published: November 2010

Kinematic measures of children’s reaching were found to reflect stable differences in skill level for planning for future actions. Thirty‐five toddlers (18–21 months) were engaged in building block towers (precise task) and in placing blocks into an open container (imprecise task). Sixteen children were retested on the same tasks a year later. Longer deceleration as the hand approached the block for pickup was found in the tower task compared with the imprecise task, indicating planning for the second movement. More skillful toddlers who could build high towers had a longer deceleration phase when placing blocks on the tower than toddlers who built low towers. Kinematic differences between the groups remained a year later when all children could build high towers.
Antecedents of Team Creativity: An Examination of Team Emotional Intelligence, Team Trust and Collaborative Culture
Authors: Barczak Gloria , Lassk Felicia , Mulki Jay
Published: November 2010

Teams represent a dominant approach to getting work done in a business environment. Creativity enables teams to solve problems and leverage opportunities through the integration of divergent thoughts and perspectives. Prior research indicates that a collaborative culture, which affects how team members interact and work together, is a critical antecedent of team creativity. This study explores other antecedents of team creativity, namely, team emotional intelligence and team trust, and investigates the relationships among these precursors to creative effort. Using a survey of 82 student teams at a large university in the northeast United States, our findings suggest that team emotional intelligence promotes team trust. Trust, in turn, fosters a collaborative culture which enhances the creativity of the team. Cognitive trust also moderates the relationship between collaborative culture and team creativity. Implications of these results for managers and academics are discussed.
To Change or Not To Change: How Regulatory Focus Affects Change in Dyadic Decision‐Making
Authors: Spanjol Jelena , Tam Leona
Published: November 2010

Successful innovation requires teams to embrace and enact change. However, team members often differ in their preferences for change. We examine how regulatory focus affects dyadic teams’ tendencies to enact change across an array of repeated brand management decisions. Understanding such tendencies is important, since the innovation process is characterized by a series of investment decisions typically made by teams, yet prone to significant biases. Regulatory focus theory provides a framework for understanding the dominant motivations driving decision‐making during goal pursuit. It argues that individuals operate under either a promotion or prevention focus, influencing preferences for stability vs. change. We develop a set of hypotheses regarding regulatory focus match vs. mismatch in teams and their effects on the relative tendency to enact change in decision‐making. In the context of dyads involved in a complex management simulation consisting of multiple decision cycles, we empirically demonstrate that a promotion focus match is associated with greater levels of change in decisions than a prevention focus match, regardless of the type of goal pursuit strategy prescribed to dyads. Under regulatory focus mismatch, however, dyads are guided by the goal pursuit strategy (vigilant vs. eager) provided to them, which in turn informs their propensity to implement change.

Without change there is no innovation, creativity, or incentive for improvement.

C. William Pollard (1996, p. 116)
Organizational Slack and Knowledge Creation in Product Development Projects: The Role of Project Deliverables
Authors: Richtnér Anders , Åhlström Pär
Published: November 2010

Our concern is with how changes in organizational slack affect knowledge creation in product development projects. We operationalize a change in organizational slack as changed possibilities to depart from project deliverables in NPD projects. Through case research in high velocity industries we identify the effect a change in organizational slack has on knowledge creation processes inside product development projects. In particular we highlight the effects on tacit and explicit knowledge. More specifically we find that reduced slack creates a focus on explicit knowledge rather than tacit knowledge, which may reduce the ability to create knowledge creation and ultimately to innovate.