bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The AtNHX1 exchanger mediates potassium compartmentation in vacuoles of transgenic tomato
Authors: Leidi Eduardo O. , Barragán Verónica , Rubio Lourdes , El‐Hamdaoui Abdelaziz , Ruiz M. Teresa , Cubero Beatriz , Fernández José A. , Bressan Ray A. , Hasegawa Paul M. , Quintero Francisco J. , Pardo José M.
Published: November 2009

NHX‐type antiporters in the tonoplast have been reported to increase the salt tolerance of various plants species, and are thought to mediate the compartmentation of Na+ in vacuoles. However, all isoforms characterized so far catalyze both Na+/H+ and K+/H+ exchange. Here, we show that AtNHX1 has a critical involvement in the subcellular partitioning of K+, which in turn affects plant K+ nutrition and Na+ tolerance. Transgenic tomato plants overexpressing AtNHX1 had larger K+ vacuolar pools in all growth conditions tested, but no consistent enhancement of Na+ accumulation was observed under salt stress. Plants overexpressing AtNHX1 have a greater capacity to retain intracellular K+ and to withstand salt‐shock. Under K+‐limiting conditions, greater K+ compartmentation in the vacuole occurred at the expense of the cytosolic K+ pool, which was lower in transgenic plants. This caused the early activation of the high‐affinity K+ uptake system, enhanced K+ uptake by roots, and increased the K+ content in plant tissues and the xylem sap of transformed plants. Our results strongly suggest that NHX proteins are likely candidates for the H+‐linked K+ transport that is thought to facilitate active K+ uptake at the tonoplast, and the partitioning of K+ between vacuole and cytosol.
The cost of conflict in aphid societies
Authors: GROGAN K. E. , CHHATRE V. E. , ABBOT P.
Published: November 2009

Most social aphids are found within plant galls, inside of which clonally‐derived family groups feed, and specialized larval castes forego reproduction and perform various cooperative tasks, including group defence. When unrelated aphids move between clones, conditions are ripe for conflict because galls and cooperative defence are shared resources that are vulnerable to exploitation. A key unknown is whether conflict is costly in aphid social groups. We show that diversity within groups is negatively correlated with performance in the North American social aphid, Pemphigus obesinymphae. A substantial fraction of productivity is invested into drifting. However, drifting aphids tend to mature and depart non‐natal galls prior to the seasonal peak in fecundity. These results suggest that when unrelated individuals move between groups, social aphids may experience conditions consistent with a tragedy of the commons. These results also emphasize the strongly convergent properties associated with conflict across the spectrum of animal and microbial sociality.
Demography and the tragedy of the commons
Authors: FRANK S. A.
Published: November 2009

Individual success in group‐structured populations has two components. First, an individual gains by outcompeting its neighbours for local resources. Second, an individual's share of group success must be weighted by the total productivity of the group. The essence of sociality arises from the tension between selfish gains against neighbours and the associated loss that selfishness imposes by degrading the efficiency of the group. Without some force to modulate selfishness, the natural tendencies of self interest typically degrade group performance to the detriment of all. This is the tragedy of the commons. Kin selection provides the most widely discussed way in which the tragedy is overcome in biology. Kin selection arises from behavioural associations within groups caused either by genetical kinship or by other processes that correlate the behaviours of group members. Here, I emphasize demography as a second factor that may also modulate the tragedy of the commons and favour cooperative integration of groups. Each act of selfishness or cooperation in a group often influences group survival and fecundity over many subsequent generations. For example, a cooperative act early in the growth cycle of a colony may enhance the future size and survival of the colony. This time‐dependent benefit can greatly increase the degree of cooperation favoured by natural selection, providing another way in which to overcome the tragedy of the commons and enhance the integration of group behaviour. I conclude that analyses of sociality must account for both the behavioural associations of kin selection theory and the demographic consequences of life history theory.
Predictive familial risk factors and pharmacological responses in ADHD with comorbid disruptive behavior disorders
Authors: Bandou Nobuyasu , Koike Kayoko , Matuura Hideo
Published: November 2009

Background:  The aim of the present study was to examine the putative familial risk factors and evaluate the pharmacological effects in children and adolescents of attention‐deficit–hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) with comorbid disruptive behavior disorders (DBD) and normal IQ.

Methods:  The retrospective study included 144 Japanese subjects (age, 5–18 years) with ADHD, of whom 35 subjects (24%) met the diagnostic criteria for DBD. Using multiple regression analysis, the familial background risk factors that might increase any comorbid antisocial behaviors were assessed. Furthermore, the 20 methylphenidate (MPH)‐resistant DBD subjects were divided into three treatment groups: MPH plus risperidone (n= 8); MPH plus carbamazepine (n= 5); and MPH plus lithium carbonate (n= 4). The effectiveness of the treatment was evaluated both before and after the add‐on therapy using the Clinical Global Impressions–Improvement (CGI‐I) and CGI‐Severity (CGI‐S) scale.

Results:  The putative familial risk factors were child abuse (odds ratio [OR], 19.48; P= 0.013) and maternal psychiatric disorders (OR, 15.59; P= 0.027). The addition of risperidone had the strongest tendency to improve the CGI‐S score (P= 0.063) and the highest rate of responses (50%) among the three treatment groups, albeit with no significant differences. Very few remarkable adverse clinical symptoms were observed.

Conclusions:  Child abuse and maternal psychiatric disorders are suggested to be significant risk factors in influencing the development of comorbid DBD in offspring. The use of risperidone appears to be well tolerated and is moderately effective in MPH‐resistant aggression in ADHD children and adolescents with comorbid DBD.
‘Staged’ liver resection in synchronous and metachronous colorectal hepatic metastases: differences in clinicopathological features and outcome
Authors: van der Pool A. E. M. , Lalmahomed Z. S. , Özbay Y. , de Wilt J. H. W. , Eggermont A. M. M. , Jzermans J. N. M. , Verhoef C.
Published: November 2009

Aim  Approximately 25% of the patients with colorectal cancer already have liver metastases at diagnosis and another 30% will develop them subsequently. The features and prognosis of patients with synchronous and metachronus colorectal liver metastases, treated with primary resection first followed by partial liver resection were analysed.

Method  Curative staged resection of liver metastases was performed in 272 consecutive patients. Demographics, characteristics of the primary tumour and metastatic tumours, surgery‐related data and outcome were analysed.

Results  Synchronous metastases were present in 105 (39%) patients and metachronous metastases in 167 (61%). More patients in the synchronous group had an advanced primary tumour (T3/T4 and/or node positivity), more than three liver metastases and bilobar distribution. A significantly higher percentage of patients in the synchronous group received neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The 5‐year survival rate in the group of 272 patients was 38%. Patients with more than three metastases had a significantly worse survival rate. There were no differences in disease‐free and overall survival rates between the synchronous and metachronous group.

Conclusion  Although patients with synchronous colorectal liver metastases may have poorer biological features, there was no difference in 5‐year disease‐free and overall survival compared with patients with metachronous metastases. This may be explained by the observation that patients in the synchronous group received significantly more neoadjuvant chemotherapy.
Anastomotic leakage after surgery for rectal cancer: a risk factor for local recurrence, distant metastasis and reduced cancer‐specific survival?
Authors: Jörgren F. , Johansson R. , Damber L. , Lindmark G.
Published: November 2009

Aim  The impact of anastomic leakage (AL) on the oncological outcome after anterior resection (AR) for rectal cancer is still controversial. We explored the impact of AL regarding local recurrence (LR), distant metastasis and overall recurrence (OAR). Overall and cancer‐specific survival was analysed.

Method  Patients undergoing AR for rectal cancer with a registered AL between 1995 and 1997 and a control group were identified in the Swedish Rectal Cancer Registry. The medical records were retrieved for additional data and validation. Differences in the oncological outcome at 5‐year follow‐up were analysed with multivariate methods.

Results  After validation, 114 patients with AL and 136 control patients with locally radical surgery for tumours in tumour–node–metastasis stages I–III were analysed. There was no difference detected between patients with AL and control patients regarding rates of LR [8% (9 of 114) vs 9% (12 of 136); P = 0.97], distant metastasis [18% (20 of 114) vs 23% (31 of 136); P = 0.37] and OAR [19% (22 of 114) vs 28% (38 of 136); P = 0.15]. The 5‐year cancer‐specific survival was almost 80% in both groups. In multivariate analysis, AL was not a risk factor of LR, distant metastasis or OAR and had no impact on 5‐year overall or 5‐year cancer‐specific survival. Irrespective of the occurrence of AL, preoperative radiotherapy (P = 0.055) and rectal washout (P = 0.046) reduced the LR rate, but did not influence survival.

Conclusion  Anastomotic leakage was not proved to be a risk factor of worse oncological outcome. Hence, additional adjuvant treatment or extended follow‐up on the basis of the occurrence of AL after AR might not be justified.
70 vs 120 W thulium:yttrium‐aluminium‐garnet 2 µm continuous‐wave laser for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia: a systematic ex‐vivo evaluation
Authors: Bach Thorsten , Huck Nina , Wezel Felix , Häcker Axel , Gross Andreas J. , Michel Maurice Stephan
Published: November 2009

Study Type – Aetiology (case series) Level of Evidence 4

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the ablative and haemostatic properties of the recently introduced 120‐W thulium:yttrium‐aluminium‐garnet (Tm‐YAG) laser and to assess these results against those of the previously introduced 70‐W Tm‐YAG laser.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The ex‐vivo model of the isolated blood‐perfused porcine kidney was used to determine the ablation capacity, haemostatic properties and coagulation depth of a 2 µm continuous‐wave Tm‐YAG laser. The energy was delivered using a 550‐µm and an 800‐µm bare‐ended fibre. The results of the recently introduced 120‐W Tm‐YAG were compared to the established 70‐W device. Kidney tissue was embedded for histological evaluation. After staining (haematoxylin and eosin, H&E; and NADH) of the specimen, the coagulation zone and depth of the necrotic tissue layer were measured.

RESULTS

With increased power output, the mean (sd) rate of vaporization of tissue increased, from 9.80 (3.03) g/10 min at 70 W to 16.41 (5.2) g/10 min at 120 W using the 550 µm fibre. The total amount of ablated tissue using the 800 µm fibre was lower than with the 550 µm fibre. With increasing power output the bleeding rate remained stable in either group. Tissue penetration remained shallow, even with increasing power output. In contrast to H&E staining, where the coagulation zone was measured, NADH staining showed an inner zone of necrotic tissue, again with no difference between the 70‐ and the 120‐W Tm‐YAG.

CONCLUSION

The 120‐W Tm‐YAG offers significantly higher ablation rates than the 70‐W device, and despite the increased rate of ablation with the 120‐W Tm‐YAG, the bleeding rate and depth of tissue penetration were comparable to those using the 70‐W device.
Friedewald equation underestimates low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol at low concentrations in young people with and without Type 1 diabetes
Authors: Sibal L. , Neely R. D. G. , Jones A. , Home P. D.
Published: November 2009

Diabet. Med. 27, 37–45 (2010)

Aims  Although the limitations of the Friedewald‐calculated serum low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) are well recognized, many diabetes and lipid guidelines propose LDL‐C as a therapeutic target. The validity of calculated LDL‐C in people with Type 1 diabetes (T1DM) is uncertain and the use of alternatives such as non‐high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (non‐HDL‐C) or apolipoprotein measurement unexplored. We have therefore measured LDL‐C with the designated reference method and examined some of the potential sources of such bias, including plasma concentrations of other lipids and apolipoproteins.

Methods  Seventy‐four people with T1DM and 80 healthy control subjects were recruited. Fasting samples were collected for analysis of lipid profiles by a beta‐quantification (BQ) reference method and by routine laboratory methods including direct HDL‐C and calculation of LDL‐C using the Friedewald formula.

Results  Overall, Friedewald LDL‐C was 0.29 ± 0.02 (mean ± se) mmol/l (P < 0.001) lower in the two groups than by the BQ method. This resulted in misclassification of approximately 50% of people with a calculated LDL‐C < 2.0 mmol/l. Overestimation of HDL‐C by the routine assay [0.08 ± 0.01 mmol/l (P < 0.001)] accounted for ∼28% of the error in calculation of LDL‐C and the remainder appeared to be as a result of triglyceride in lipoprotein particles other than very‐low‐density lipoprotein (VLDL). Correlation of non‐HDL‐C with apolipoprotein B was better than LDL‐C with apolipoprotein B for both assays in both diabetic and non‐diabetic populations.

Conclusions  Calculated LDL‐C is unsuitable as a therapeutic target in T1DM. Consideration should be give to the greater use of apolipoprotein B or non‐HDL‐C in clinical practice.
Personal experiences of women with diabetes who do not attend pre‐pregnancy care
Authors: Murphy H. R. , Temple R. C. , Ball V. E. , Roland J. M. , Steel S. , Zill‐E‐Huma R. , Simmons D. , Royce L. R. , Skinner T. C. ,   on behalf of the East Anglia Study group for Improving Pregnancy Outcomes in women with Diabetes (EASIPOD)
Published: November 2009

Diabet. Med. 27, 92–100 (2010)

Aims  To explore the views of women who did not attend pre‐pregnancy care (PPC), in particular their accounts of contraception, previous pregnancies and the influence of healthcare advice.

Methods  We conducted semi‐structured interviews with 29 pregnant women (21 with Type 1 diabetes, eight with Type 2 diabetes) at three UK specialist diabetes antenatal clinics. Interviews explored women’s journeys to becoming pregnant, including use of contraception, their views regarding diabetes and pregnancy and the factors which encouraged and discouraged them from attending PPC.

Results  All women had some understanding of the issues concerning diabetes during pregnancy, predominantly regarding the benefits of PPC (90%) and optimal glycaemic control (80%) and risks of malformation (48%) and macrosomia (35%). Most were not regularly using contraception (70%), having stopped deliberately (45%), become unintentionally less rigorous (28%) or experienced side effects/contraindications (14%). Knowledge concerning the risks of pregnancy (90%) and past pre‐conception counselling (38%) did not encourage women to attend PPC, and neither did personal experience of miscarriage, malformation or stillbirth in women with previous poor pregnancy outcome (41%). Barriers included conceiving faster than anticipated (45%), fertility concerns (31%), negative experiences with health professionals (21%), desire for a ‘normal’ pregnancy (17%) and the logistics of attending (10%).

Conclusions  More integrated diabetes and reproductive health/contraceptive advice, increased awareness of the potentially short time between stopping contraception and conception and more intensive support between pregnancies are required, particularly for women with previously poor outcomes. Research is also needed into how communication between health professionals and women with diabetes can be improved.
Increasing task difficulty enhances effects of intersensory redundancy: testing a new prediction of the Intersensory Redundancy Hypothesis
Authors: Bahrick Lorraine E. , Lickliter Robert , Castellanos Irina , Vaillant‐Molina Mariana
Published: November 2009

Prior research has demonstrated intersensory facilitation for perception of amodal properties of events such as tempo and rhythm in early development, supporting predictions of the Intersensory Redundancy Hypothesis (IRH). Specifically, infants discriminate amodal properties in bimodal, redundant stimulation but not in unimodal, nonredundant stimulation in early development, whereas later in development infants can detect amodal properties in both redundant and nonredundant stimulation. The present study tested a new prediction of the IRH: that effects of intersensory redundancy on attention and perceptual processing are most apparent in tasks of high difficulty relative to the skills of the perceiver. We assessed whether by increasing task difficulty, older infants would revert to patterns of intersensory facilitation shown by younger infants. Results confirmed our prediction and demonstrated that in difficult tempo discrimination tasks, 5‐month‐olds perform like 3‐month‐olds, showing intersensory facilitation for tempo discrimination. In contrast, in tasks of low and moderate difficulty, 5‐month‐olds discriminate tempo changes in both redundant audiovisual and nonredundant unimodal visual stimulation. These findings indicate that intersensory facilitation is most apparent for tasks of relatively high difficulty and may therefore persist across the lifespan.
Lexical and articulatory interactions in children’s language production
Authors: Heisler Lori , Goffman Lisa , Younger Barbara
Published: November 2009

Traditional models of adult language processing and production include two levels of representation: lexical and sublexical. The current study examines the influence of the inclusion of a lexical representation (i.e. a visual referent and/or object function) on the stability of articulation as well as on phonetic accuracy and variability in typically developing children and children with specific language impairment (SLI). A word learning paradigm was developed so that we could compare children’s production with and without lexical representation. The variability and accuracy of productions were examined using speech kinematics as well as traditional phonetic accuracy measures. Results showed that phonetic forms with lexical representation were produced with more articulatory stability than phonetic forms without lexical representation. Using more traditional transcription measures, a paired lexical referent generally did not influence segmental accuracy (percent consonant correct and type token ratio). These results suggest that lexical and articulatory levels of representation are not completely independent. Implications for models of language production are discussed.
The Ebbinghaus illusion deceives adults but not young children
Authors: Doherty Martin J. , Campbell Nicola M. , Tsuji Hiromi , Phillips William A.
Published: November 2009

The sensitivity of size perception to context has been used to distinguish between ‘vision for action’ and ‘vision for perception’, and to study cultural, psychopathological, and developmental differences in perception. The status of that evidence is much debated, however. Here we use a rigorous double dissociation paradigm based on the Ebbinghaus illusion, and find that for children below 7 years of age size discrimination is much less affected by surround size. Young children are less accurate than adults when context is helpful, but more accurate when context is misleading. Even by the age of 10 years context‐sensitivity is still not at adult levels. Therefore, size contrast as shown by the Ebbinghaus illusion is not a built‐in property of the ventral pathway subserving vision for perception but a late development of it, and low sensitivity to the Ebbinghaus illusion in autism is not primary to the pathology. Our findings also show that, although adults in Western cultures have low context‐sensitivity relative to East Asians, they have high context‐sensitivity relative to children. Overall, these findings reveal a gradual developmental trend toward ever broader contextual syntheses. Such developments are advantageous, but the price paid for them is that, when context is misleading, adults literally see the world less accurately than they did as children.
Governance Mechanisms and Firm Value: The Impact of Ownership Concentration and Dividends
Authors: Setia‐Atmaja Lukas Y.
Published: November 2009

Manuscript Type: Empirical

Research Question/Issue: This study examines whether ownership concentration affects board and audit committee independence, and whether the impact of board and audit committee independence on firm value is moderated by ownership concentration and dividend payouts.

Research Findings/Insights: Using panel data on a sample of Australian publicly listed firms over the period 2000–2005 (1,530 firm‐year observations), the study finds that ownership concentration has a negative impact on board independence, but no impact on audit committee independence. Results also suggest that board independence enhances firm value and that performance impact of board independence is stronger in closely‐held firms and/or firms having low dividend payouts. A marginally positive impact of audit committee independence, especially among closely‐held firms, is also found.

Theoretical/Academic Implications: This study suggests that the impact of governance mechanisms is moderated by companies' ownership structure and dividend policies. It extends research on the effectiveness of governance mechanisms by distinguishing two types of agency problems and using a simultaneous equations model. The findings underline the important governance role that independent boards and audit committee can play in a country that has high ownership concentration and high levels of private benefits of control.

Practitioner/Policy Implications: The results of this study strengthen the idea that independent directors can also play a key role in the governance of closely‐held firms. As such, for investors, as far as agency costs are concerned, investments in closely‐held firms that have a higher proportion of independent directors on the board and audit committee are sensible. Closely‐held firms should be aware of the investor's need for more independent directors, especially when dividends are low.
Financing Constraints, Ownership Control, and Cross‐Border M&As: Evidence from Nine East Asian Economies
Authors: Chen Yenn‐Ru , Huang Yu‐Lin , Chen Chun‐Nan
Published: November 2009

Manuscript Type: Empirical

Research Question/Issue: This study distinguishes between the effects of financial constraint determinants on cross‐border mergers and acquisitions (M&As) and domestic M&As for all takeover bids announced in nine East Asian economies from 1998 to 2005.

Research Findings/Insights: The results of logistic regressions verify that the extent of stock market and governance developments improves corporate financing conditions and subsequently encourages cross‐border M&As in East Asia. The results also indicate that, except for ownership control variables, the firm‐specific factors of financing constraints reduce the occurrence of cross‐border M&As relative to domestic M&As. Although family‐ and state‐controlled firms have better access to external financing, they are reluctant to risk diluting their management control and thus prefer domestic M&As to cross‐border deals.

Theoretical/Academic Implications: This study enhances the empirical studies of the relation between financing constraints and corporate investments based on the market imperfection hypothesis of corporate finance theories. In addition, this study also addresses the interaction between the market imperfection hypothesis and agency theory in explaining the effects of special ownership control on cross‐border M&As relative to domestic deals. Furthermore, by examining the research questions across nine East Asian economies, this study provides an understanding of how such a relation applies to firms in countries where information asymmetry is high.

Practitioner/Policy Implications: The findings indicate the importance of corporate governance and verify the effects of unique organizational structures on major corporate decisions. Specifically, family‐controlled firms are often free of the financing constraints inherent in investment decisions. Thus, it is necessary to consider such organizational uniqueness when explaining the financing behavior of cross‐border M&As conducted by Asian firms.
The A Simili Argument: An Inferentialist Setting
Authors: CANALE DAMIANO , TUZET GIOVANNI
Published: November 2009

The A Simili Argument draws the conclusion that a target case has a normative property Q since it shares a relevant property P with a source case. It can be seen as a complex inference constituted by three inferential steps: An abduction of the relevant property P, an induction of the class having that property, and a deduction of the target's having property Q. A major problem of this argument is the characterization of the property relevance. The standard answer refers to the notion of ratio: It is the ratio that fixes what is relevant for what. But the determination of the ratio is often a difficult and controversial task. This issue is considered here from an inferentialist point of view, claiming that the ratio and relevance are determined by the normative statuses reciprocally attributed by the speakers in the context of legal argumentation.
Product bundling strategies in Swedish markets: links to business orientation and perceived effects on consumer influence
Authors: Wäppling Anders , Strugnell Christopher , Farley Heather
Published: November 2009

Product bundling is an increasingly important marketing strategy within many industries, and consumer influence on companies' ranges of product bundles is, thus, becoming an important issue. The aim of this study was to investigate product bundling strategies consumers are exposed to by some selected companies in the Swedish automobile, travel and banking industries. Bundling strategies were considered in relation to business orientation as well as the consumer's potential to influence the product bundles offered by these companies. Fourteen qualitative telephone interviews were conducted with senior representatives from the three sectors. Interview respondents were selected in cooperation with their respective companies. Results underwent interpretative analysis, and the findings indicated that business orientation is linked to product bundling techniques and to the type of customer influence on product bundling. Consumers were exposed to mixed and complementary bundling strategies, and customers of companies that apply a market orientation were found to have greater opportunities to influence product bundles directly, whereas companies that apply a production‐oriented approach were less able to respond to their customers' wishes. Consumer influence on the product bundles of production‐oriented companies was found to be of a more indirect nature.
Understanding consumer receptivity towards foods and non‐prescription pills containing phytosterols as a means to offset the risk of cardiovascular disease: an application of protection motivation theory
Authors: Henson Spencer , Cranfield John , Herath Deepananda
Published: November 2009

Consumer purchase intention with respect to foods and non‐prescription pills containing phytosterols was investigated through a mall intercept survey (n = 446) in Ontario, Canada. The study took as its starting point the Protection Motivation Theory (PMT), a social cognition model rooted in research on fear appeal in determining health‐protective behaviour. Structural equation modelling was used to explore whether an adaptation of PMT explains intention to purchase products containing phytosterols as a means to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The standard form of PMT was adapted to take account of consumer perceptions of the risk of elevated blood cholesterol, reflecting the fact that phytosterols do not directly reduce the risk of CVD but rather help in the management of a single risk factor. Overall, coping appraisal had a positive and significant association with purchase intention, while threat appraisal had no significant effect. Incorporation of cholesterol as a risk factor for CVD significantly improved the measurement strength of the threat appraisal construct. However, the overall predictive power of the model did not change appreciably. The results suggest that the promotion of adaptive behaviours, such as consumption of functional foods and nutraceuticals, needs to focus on perception of response and self‐efficacy rather than individual perceptions of risk.
Assessing the impacts of climate change and land transformation on Banksia in the South West Australian Floristic Region
Authors: Yates Colin J. , McNeill Asha , Elith Jane , Midgley Guy F.
Published: November 2009

Aim  To determine the potential combined effects of climate change and land transformation on the modelled geographic ranges of Banksia.

Location  Mediterranean climate South West Australian Floristic Region (SWAFR).

Methods  We used the species distribution modelling software Maxent to relate current environmental conditions to occurrence data for 18 Banksia species, and subsequently made spatial predictions using two simple dispersal scenarios (zero and universal), for three climate‐severity scenarios at 2070, taking the impacts of land transformation on species’ ranges into account. The species were chosen to reflect the biogeography of Banksia in the SWAFR.

Results  Climate‐severity scenario, dispersal scenario, biogeographic distribution and land transformation all influenced the direction and magnitude of the modelled range change responses for the 18 species. The predominant response of species to all climate change scenarios was range contraction, with exceptions for some northern and widespread species. Including land transformation in estimates of modelled geographic range size for the three climate‐severity scenarios generally resulted in smaller gains and larger declines in species ranges across both dispersal scenarios. Including land transformation and assuming zero dispersal resulted, as expected, in the greatest declines in projected range size across all species. Increasing climate change severity greatly increased the risk of decline in the 18 Banksia species, indicating the critical role of mitigating future emissions.

Main conclusions  The combined effects of climate change and land transformation may have significant adverse impacts on endemic Proteaceae in the SWAFR, especially under high emissions scenarios and if, as expected, natural migration is limiting. Although these results need cautious interpretation in light of the many assumptions underlying the techniques used, the impacts identified warrant a clear focus on monitoring across species ranges to detect early signs of change, and experiments that determine physiological thresholds for species in order to validate and refine the models.
Combined impacts of longline fisheries and climate on the persistence of the Amsterdam AlbatrossDiomedia amsterdamensis
Authors: RIVALAN PHILIPPE , BARBRAUD CHRISTOPHE , INCHAUSTI PABLO , WEIMERSKIRCH HENRI
Published: November 2009

Incidental capture of seabirds in longline fishing gear is a central issue in the conservation of many long‐lived marine species. Despite growing evidence of climate‐induced effects on population trends of long‐lived species, climate change remains generally overlooked in most risk assessments of seabirds. Because variation in climate may interact with the detrimental effects of bycatch, considering climate is of great importance, especially in the context of ongoing global warming. This paper examines the combined effects of bycatch and climate change on the persistence of one of the world’s rarest birds, the Amsterdam AlbatrossDiomedea amsterdamensis, which has a single population in the upland plateau of Amsterdam Island (Southeast Indian Ocean). Using continuous monitoring from 1983 onwards, we first estimated the relationship between climate and the species’ demographic parameters. We then built a stochastic matrix population model to estimate the population growth rate and the probability that the population declines below the level recorded in 1983 of nine breeding pairs under different scenarios involving the joint effects of additional mortality caused by longline fisheries and climate change. The results suggest that the demography of the Amsterdam Albatross is influenced by climate in both breeding and wintering grounds and that these relationships may to some extent compensate for the impact of additive bycatch mortality. However, these compensatory effects would be negligible if the annual additional mortality exceeds around six individuals per year, suggesting that the resumption of longline fishery in the foraging range of the Amsterdam Albatross would rapidly put this species at risk of extinction.
The Ramonalinids: a new family of mound‐building bivalves of the Early Middle Triassic
Authors: YANCEY THOMAS E. , WILSON MARK A. , MIONE ALLISON C. S.
Published: November 2009

Abstract: Ramonalinan. gen. is a large thick‐shelled bivalve abundant in mounds preserved in the Gevanim Formation (late Anisian, Middle Triassic) of southern Israel. This bivalve was an edgewise‐recliner with a flattened anteroventral (functionally basal) surface and partially fused valves. It is the basis of a new family, the Ramonalinidae, which is descended from the myalinids through adaptation to edgewise positioning. Ligamental attachment was inadequate to hold valves together on large adults, resulting in valve displacement followed by shell secretion in the apical area that fused valves together and caused irregular growth on abapical areas. The ramonalinids formed large, nearly monospecific mounds on firm mud substrates in shallow marine waters. These are the largest Middle Triassic bivalve mounds known.
Thalidomide attenuates nitric oxide‐driven angiogenesis by interacting with soluble guanylyl cyclase
Authors: Majumder Syamantak , Rajaram Megha , Muley Ajit , Reddy Himabindu S , Tamilarasan KP , Kolluru Gopi Krishna , Sinha Swaraj , Siamwala Jamila H , Gupta Ravi , Ilavarasan R , Venkataraman S , Sivakumar KC , Anishetty Sharmila , Kumar Pradeep G , Chatterjee Suvro
Published: November 2009

Background and purpose:  Nitric oxide (NO) promotes angiogenesis by activating endothelial cells. Thalidomide arrests angiogenesis by interacting with the NO pathway, but its putative targets are not known. Here, we have attempted to identify these targets.

Experimental approach:  Cell‐based angiogenesis assays (wound healing of monolayers and tube formation in ECV304, EAhy926 and bovine arterial endothelial cells), along with ex vivo and in vivo angiogenesis assays, were used to explore interactions between thalidomide and NO. We also carried out in silico homology modelling and docking studies to elucidate possible molecular interactions of thalidomide and soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC).

Key results:  Thalidomide inhibited pro‐angiogenic functions in endothelial cell cultures, whereas 8‐bromo‐cGMP, sildenafil (a phosphodiesterase inhibitor) or a NO donor [sodium nitroprusside (SNP)] increased these functions. The inhibitory effects of thalidomide were reversed by adding 8‐bromo‐cGMP or sildenafil, but not by SNP. Immunoassays showed a concentration‐dependent decrease of cGMP in endothelial cells with thalidomide, without affecting the expression level of sGC protein. These results suggested that thalidomide inhibited the activity of sGC. Molecular modelling and docking experiments revealed that thalidomide could interact with the catalytic domain of sGC, which would explain the inhibitory effects of thalidomide on NO‐dependent angiogenesis.

Conclusion and implications:  Our results showed that thalidomide interacted with sGC, suppressing cGMP levels in endothelial cells, thus exerting its anti‐angiogenic effects. These results could lead to the formulation of thalidomide‐based drugs to curb angiogenesis by targeting sGC.
TESTING THE EFFECTS OF OCEAN ACIDIFICATION ON ALGAL METABOLISM: CONSIDERATIONS FOR EXPERIMENTAL DESIGNS1
Authors: Hurd Catriona L. , Hepburn Christopher D. , Currie Kim I. , Raven John A. , Hunter Keith A.
Published: November 2009

Ocean acidification describes changes in the carbonate chemistry of the ocean due to the increased absorption of anthropogenically released CO2. Experiments to elucidate the biological effects of ocean acidification on algae are not straightforward because when pH is altered, the carbon speciation in seawater is altered, which has implications for photosynthesis and, for calcifying algae, calcification. Furthermore, photosynthesis, respiration, and calcification will themselves alter the pH of the seawater medium. In this review, algal physiologists and seawater carbonate chemists combine their knowledge to provide the fundamental information on carbon physiology and seawater carbonate chemistry required to comprehend the complexities of how ocean acidification might affect algae metabolism. A wide range in responses of algae to ocean acidification has been observed, which may be explained by differences in algal physiology, timescales of the responses measured, study duration, and the method employed to alter pH. Two methods have been widely used in a range of experimental systems: CO2 bubbling and HCl/NaOH additions. These methods affect the speciation of carbonate ions in the culture medium differently; we discuss how this could influence the biological responses of algae and suggest a third method based on HCl/NaHCO3 additions. We then discuss eight key points that should be considered prior to setting up experiments, including which method of manipulating pH to choose, monitoring during experiments, techniques for adding acidified seawater, biological side effects, and other environmental factors. Finally, we consider incubation timescales and prior conditioning of algae in terms of regulation, acclimation, and adaptation to ocean acidification.
Primary Right Atrial Angiosarcoma: Atypical Presentation and Echocardiographic Assessment of Right Atrial Mass
Authors: Sidhu Maninder S. , Singh H.P. , Chopra Arun K. , Kapila Deepak , Chopra Suruchi , Anand Manan
Published: November 2009

(ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, Volume 26, November 2009)
Usefulness of Live/Real Time Three‐Dimensional Transthoracic Echocardiography in Evaluation of Prosthetic Valve Function
Authors: Singh Preeti , Inamdar Vatsal , Hage Fadi G. , Kodali Visali , Karakus Gultekin , Suwanjutah Thouantosaporn , Hsiung Ming C. , Nanda Navin C.
Published: November 2009

We studied 31 patients with prosthetic valves (PVs) using two‐dimensional and three‐dimensional transthorathic echocardiography (2DTTE and 3DTTE, respectively) in order to determine whether 3DTTE provides an incremental value on top of 2DTTE in the evaluation of these patients. With 3DTTE both leaflets of the St. Jude mechanical PV can be visualized simultaneously, thereby increasing the diagnostic confidence in excluding valvular abnormalities and overcoming the well‐known limitations of 2DTTE in the examination of PVs, which heavily relies on Doppler. Three‐dimensional transthorathic echocardiography provides a more comprehensive evaluation of PV regurgitation than 2DTTE with its ability to more precisely quantify PV regurgitation, in determining the mechanism causing regurgitation, and in localizing the regurgitant defect. Furthermore, 3DTTE is superior in identifying, quantifying, and localizing PV thrombi and vegetations, in addition to the unique feature of providing a look inside mass lesions by serial sectioning. These preliminary results suggest the superiority of 3DTTE over 2DTTE in the evaluation of PVs and that it provides incremental knowledge to the echocardiographer. (ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, Volume 26, November 2009)
Bayesian Analysis of Growth Curves Using Mixed Models Defined by Stochastic Differential Equations
Authors: Donnet Sophie , Foulley Jean‐Louis , Samson Adeline
Published: November 2009

Summary Growth curve data consist of repeated measurements of a continuous growth process over time in a population of individuals. These data are classically analyzed by nonlinear mixed models. However, the standard growth functions used in this context prescribe monotone increasing growth and can fail to model unexpected changes in growth rates. We propose to model these variations using stochastic differential equations (SDEs) that are deduced from the standard deterministic growth function by adding random variations to the growth dynamics. A Bayesian inference of the parameters of these SDE mixed models is developed. In the case when the SDE has an explicit solution, we describe an easily implemented Gibbs algorithm. When the conditional distribution of the diffusion process has no explicit form, we propose to approximate it using the Euler–Maruyama scheme. Finally, we suggest validating the SDE approach via criteria based on the predictive posterior distribution. We illustrate the efficiency of our method using the Gompertz function to model data on chicken growth, the modeling being improved by the SDE approach.
Bootstrap and Second‐Order Tests of Risk Difference
Authors: Lloyd Chris J.
Published: November 2009

SummaryClinical trials data often come in the form of low‐dimensional tables of small counts. Standard approximate tests such as score and likelihood ratio tests are imperfect in several respects. First, they can give quite different answers from the same data. Second, the actual type‐1 error can differ significantly from nominal, even for quite large sample sizes. Third, exact inferences based on these can be strongly nonmonotonic functions of the null parameter and lead to confidence sets that are discontiguous. There are two modern approaches to small sample inference. One is to use so‐called higher order asymptotics (Reid, 2003, Annal of Statistics 31, 1695–1731) to provide an explicit adjustment to the likelihood ratio statistic. The theory for this is complex but the statistic is quick to compute. The second approach is to perform an exact calculation of significance assuming the nuisance parameters equal their null estimate (Lee and Young, 2005, Statistic and Probability Letters 71, 143–153), which is a kind of parametric bootstrap. The purpose of this article is to explain and evaluate these two methods, for testing whether a difference in probabilities p2− p1 exceeds a prechosen noninferiority margin δ0. On the basis of an extensive numerical study, we recommend bootstrap P‐values as superior to all other alternatives. First, they produce practically identical answers regardless of the basic test statistic chosen. Second, they have excellent size accuracy and higher power. Third, they vary much less erratically with the null parameter value δ0.
Augmented Cross‐Sectional Prevalence Testing for Estimating HIV Incidence
Authors: Wang Rui , Lagakos Stephen W.
Published: November 2009

Summary Estimation of an HIV incidence rate based on a cross‐sectional sample of individuals evaluated with both a sensitive and less‐sensitive diagnostic test offers important advantages to incidence estimation based on a longitudinal cohort study. However, the reliability of the cross‐sectional approach has been called into question because of two major concerns. One is the difficulty in obtaining a reliable external approximation for the mean “window period” between detectability of HIV infection with the sensitive and less‐sensitive test, which is used in the cross‐sectional estimation procedure. The other is how to handle false negative results with the less‐sensitive diagnostic test; that is, subjects who may test negative—implying a recent infection—long after they are infected. We propose and investigate an augmented design for cross‐sectional incidence estimation studies in which subjects found in the recent infection state are followed for transition to the nonrecent infection state. Inference is based on likelihood methods that account for the length‐biased nature of the window periods of subjects found in the recent infection state, and relate the distribution of their forward recurrence times to the population distribution of the window period. The approach performs well in simulation studies and eliminates the need for external approximations of the mean window period and, where applicable, the false negative rate.
Bone marrow‐derived cells can acquire cardiac stem cells properties in damaged heart
Authors: Barile Lucio , Cerisoli Francesco , Frati Giacomo , Gaetani Roberto , Chimenti Isotta , Forte Elvira , Cassinelli Letizia , Spinardi Laura , Altomare Claudia , Kizana Eddy , Giacomello Alessandro , Messina Elisa , Ottolenghi Sergio , Magli Maria Cristina
Published: November 2009

Experimental data suggest that cell‐based therapies may be useful for cardiac regeneration following ischaemic heart disease. Bone marrow (BM) cells have been reported to contribute to tissue repair after myocardial infarction (MI) by a variety of humoural and cellular mechanisms. However, there is no direct evidence, so far, that BM cells can generate cardiac stem cells (CSCs). To investigate whether BM cells contribute to repopulate the Kit+ CSCs pool, we transplanted BM cells from transgenic mice, expressing green fluorescent protein under the control of Kit regulatory elements, into wild‐type irradiated recipients. Following haematological reconstitution and MI, CSCs were cultured from cardiac explants to generate ‘cardiospheres’, a microtissue normally originating in vitro from CSCs. These were all green fluorescent (i.e. BM derived) and contained cells capable of initiating differentiation into cells expressing the cardiac marker Nkx2.5. These findings indicate that, at least in conditions of local acute cardiac damage, BM cells can home into the heart and give rise to cells that share properties of resident Kit+ CSCs.