bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Varicella immunisation practice: Implications for provision of a recommended, non‐funded vaccine
Authors: Marshall Helen , Ryan Philip , Roberton Don , Beilby Justin
Published: April 2009

Aim:  In Australia in 2003 a two‐tiered immunisation schedule was introduced consisting of funded (National Immunisation Program) and non‐funded but recommended vaccines (Best Practice Schedule), including varicella vaccine. The aim of this study was to examine immunisation practice when a vaccine is recommended but not funded by Government.

Methods:  A survey was sent to 600 randomly selected general practitioners (GPs) in South Australia between June and August 2005, prior to provision of Federal funding for varicella vaccine.

Results:  Although varicella was considered an important disease to prevent by 89% of GPs, only 25% of GPs always discussed the non‐funded immunisation with parents at the time of a routine immunisation visit. Female GPs were more likely to discuss immunisation with recommended, non‐funded vaccines than male GPs. Those who were supportive of varicella prevention were more likely to discuss immunisation with the non‐funded vaccine. GPs who always provided information about the disease were more likely to have parents accept their advice about varicella vaccine (62.7%) than those who never provided information (40%). GPs reported parental refusal of varicella vaccine was due to the cost and perception that varicella is a mild disease.

Conclusions:  The results of this study showed variability in prescribing practices for a non‐funded vaccine. Recommending a vaccine without provision of funding may lead to ‘mixed messages’ for immunisation providers and parents with resultant low coverage. Funding a vaccine is likely to reduce variability in provision of the vaccine and improve coverage in the community.
Prevalence and determinants of cytomegalovirus infection in pre‐school children
Authors: O'Brien Timothy P , Thompson John MD , Black Peter N , Becroft David MO , Clark Phillipa M , Robinson Elizabeth , Wild Christopher , Mitchell Edwin A
Published: April 2009

Aim:  The aim of this study is to measure the seroprevalence of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in 3.5‐year‐old children, and identify the determinants of seropositivity.

Methods:  A total of 1714 children were enrolled at birth. Approximately half were small for gestational age and half were appropriate for gestational age. Information on the children was collected at birth, 1 year and 3.5 years. At 3.5 years blood was collected and tested for CMV‐specific immunoglobulin by an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay in 530 children.

Results:  The weighted seroprevalence of CMV was 32.8% (95% confidence interval (CI) 27.4–38.1%). The seroprevalence of CMV varied markedly by ethnicity (European: 26.5% (95% CI 20.9–32.2%); Maori: 68.0% (44.0–92.0%); Pacific: 74.5% (56.3–92.6%); Indian: 50.0% (20.2–79.8%); Chinese: 47.2% (10.8–83.5%); Other: 21.9% (0.0–52.7%); P < 0.001). Socio‐economic factors, number of siblings, day care centres attendance, maternal smoking, breastfeeding and other factors examined were not related to CMV seropositivity.

Conclusions:  The seroprevalence of CMV in New Zealand pre‐school children is similar to that reported from other developed countries. The finding of marked ethnic differences is unexplained by socio‐economic factors, or other factors that were examined.
Paediatric stroke: The need for interdisciplinary models of care
Authors: Gordon Anne , Barnes Chris , Mackay Mark
Published: April 2009

Abstract:  Stroke is an important cause of mortality and long‐term morbidity in children. The aetiology of stroke in childhood differs from that of adults, with vasculopathies and congenital heart disease being the most commonly identified risk factors. Recognition and diagnosis are often delayed, limiting access to acute medical interventions such as thrombolysis. Optimal management of stroke in children is still not known and existing guidelines are at the level of expert consensus. Interdisciplinary childhood stroke programmes are required to meet the needs of this population and to contribute to the development of evidence‐based therapies.
Morphological evaluation of Schnyder's crystalline corneal dystrophy by laser scanning confocal microscopy and Fourier‐domain optical coherence tomography
Authors: Jing Yang , Wang Liya
Published: April 2009

Abstract

A 29‐year‐old Chinese woman with Schnyder's crystalline corneal dystrophy was referred to our clinic. Ocular examination revealed abnormal deposits of cholesterol and lipid within the corneal stroma, appearing as crystalline needle‐shaped deposits, in both eyes. In vivo laser scanning confocal microscopy revealed pathological alterations of the normal corneal anatomy in the patient, such as highly reflective crystalline structures in the anterior‐and mid‐stroma. The images acquired from Fourier‐domain optical coherence tomography indicated that the main presence of crystalline deposits was localized within the anterior stroma, extending from the basal epithelium layer to a depth of 80 to 150 µm. To the best of the author's knowledge, it is consistent with the results of the previous histological study.
Report of an unusual case of a conjunctival cyst with Liesegang rings
Authors: Levy Jaime , Ilsar Michael , Deckel Yael , Pe'er Jacob
Published: April 2009

Abstract

Liesegang rings are laminated precipitation structures well recognized in the field of chemistry. We present a rare case of a 64‐year‐old man who sought examination for a conjunctival cystic lesion of several months’ duration, located in the right nasal bulbar conjunctiva near the plica semilunaris. The lesion was excised completely and uneventfully under local anaesthesia. Histopathological examination revealed a large folded cyst in the substantia propria. The cyst contained multiple eosinophilic concentrically spherical and oval structures of variable size with an amorphous central core compatible with Liesegang rings. No fungal or parasitic organisms were identified. This is the first photographically documented case of Liesegang rings appearing in the conjunctiva. Liesegang ring formation should be taken into account during histopathological examination of a conjunctival cyst and not be misdiagnosed as a parasitic infection.
Histopathology of a functioning mitomycin‐C trabeculectomy
Authors: Liang Steve Y‐W , Lee Graham A , Whitehead Kevin
Published: April 2009

Abstract

The ideal trabeculectomy bleb is diffuse, normally vascularized and characterized by microcystic change in the overlying conjunctiva. We compare and contrast the histopathology of a normally functioning mitomycin‐C trabeculectomy site obtained from an eye enucleated for iris melanoma with abnormal blebs discussed in the literature. Representative sections of the normally functioning bleb were examined under the light microscope. The conjunctiva is composed of a uniform three‐layered non‐keratinizing stratified squamous epithelium overlying a single layer of oedematous basal cells. The conjunctival stroma consisted of loose connective tissue, traversed by capillaries and scattered small cystic spaces lined by endothelial cells. There were no goblet cells and few inflammatory cells and fibroblasts. The scleral trapdoor was evident as a cleft in the scleral wall in communication with the anterior chamber at the surgically created sclerostomy. Because the histopathological findings in our case correlate well with this clinical appearance, we conclude that whereas augmentation with anti‐metabolites, such as mitomycin‐C, can be associated with significantly altered conjunctival histopathology and consequent hypotony, but, if used carefully, normal architecture is conserved.
Towards functional molecular fingerprints
Authors: Dumont Maxime , Harmand Jérôme , Rapaport Alain , Godon Jean‐Jacques
Published: April 2009

One of the most important challenges in microbial ecology is to determine the ecological function of dominant microbial populations in their environment. In this paper we propose a generic method coupling fingerprinting and mathematical tools to achieve the functional assigning of bacteria detected in microbial consortia. This approach was tested on a nitrification bioprocess where two functions carried out by two different communities could be clearly distinguished. The mathematical theory of observers of dynamical systems has been used to design a dynamic estimator of the active biomass concentration of each functional community from the available measurements on nitrifying performance. Then, the combination of phylotypes obtained by fingerprinting that best approximated the estimated trajectories of each functional biomass was selected through a random optimization method. By this way, a nitritation or nitratation function was assigned to each phylotype detected in the ecosystem by means of functional molecular fingerprints. The results obtained by this approach were successfully compared with the information obtained from 16S rDNA identification. This original approach can be used on any biosystem involving n successive cascading bioreactions performed by n communities.
Diversity and abundance of freshwater Actinobacteria along environmental gradients in the brackish northern Baltic Sea
Authors: Holmfeldt Karin , Dziallas Claudia , Titelman Josefin , Pohlmann Kirsten , Grossart Hans‐Peter , Riemann Lasse
Published: April 2009

Actinobacteria are highly abundant in pelagic freshwater habitats and also occur in estuarine environments such as the Baltic Sea. Because of gradients in salinity and other environmental variables estuaries offer natural systems for examining factors that determine Actinobacteria distribution. We studied abundance and community structure of Bacteria and Actinobacteria along two transects in the northern Baltic Sea. Quantitative (CARD‐FISH) and qualitative (DGGE and clone libraries) analyses of community composition were compared with environmental parameters. Actinobacteria accounted for 22–27% of all bacteria and the abundance changed with temperature. Analysis of 549 actinobacterial 16S rRNA sequences from four clone libraries revealed a dominance of the freshwater clusters acI and acIV, and two new subclusters (acI‐B scB‐5 and acIV‐E) were assigned. Whereas acI was present at all stations, occurrence of acII and acIV differed between stations and was related to dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and chlorophyll a (Chl a) respectively. The prevalence of the acI‐A and acI‐B subclusters changed in relation to total phosphorus (Tot‐P) and Chl a respectively. Community structure of Bacteria and Actinobacteria differed between the river station and all other stations, responding to differences in DOC, Chl a and bacterial production. In contrast, the composition of active Actinobacteria (analysis based on reversely transcribed RNA) changed in relation to salinity and Tot‐P. Our study suggests an important ecological role of Actinobacteria in the brackish northern Baltic Sea. It highlights the need to address dynamics at the cluster or subcluster phylogenetic levels to gain insights into the factors regulating distribution and composition of Actinobacteria in aquatic environments.
A phylogenetic approach to detect selection on the target site of the antifouling compound irgarol in tolerant periphyton communities
Authors: Eriksson K. M. , Antonelli A. , Nilsson R. H. , Clarke A. K. , Blanck H.
Published: April 2009

Using DNA sequence data for phylogenetic assessment of toxicant targets is a new and promising approach to study toxicant‐induced selection in communities. Irgarol 1051 is a photosystem (PS) II inhibitor used in antifouling paint. It inhibits photosynthesis through binding to the D1 protein in PS II, which is encoded by the psbA gene found in genomes of chloroplasts, cyanobacteria and cyanophages. psbA mutations that alter the target protein can confer tolerance to PS II inhibitors. We have previously shown that irgarol induces community tolerance in natural marine periphyton communities and suggested a novel tolerance mechanism, involving the amino acid sequence of a turnover‐regulating domain of D1, as contributive to this tolerance. Here we use a large number of psbA sequences of known identity to assess the taxonomic affinities of psbA sequences from these differentially tolerant communities, by performing phylogenetic analysis. We show that periphyton communities have high psbA diversity and that this diversity is adversely affected by irgarol. Moreover, we suggest that within tolerant periphyton the novel tolerance mechanism is present among diatoms only, whereas some groups of irgarol‐tolerant cyanobacteria seem to have other tolerance mechanisms. However, it proved difficult to identify periphyton psbA haplotypes to the species or genus level, which indicates that the genomic pool of the attached, periphytic life forms is poorly studied and inadequately represented in international sequence databases.
Changes in the onset of spring growth in shrubland species in response to experimental warming along a north–south gradient in Europe
Authors: Prieto Patricia , Peñuelas Josep , Niinemets Ülo , Ogaya Romà , Schmidt Inger K. , Beier Claus , Tietema Albert , Sowerby Alwyn , Emmett Bridget A. , Láng Edit Kovács , Kröel‐Dulay György , Lhotsky Barbara , Cesaraccio Carla , Pellizzaro Grazia , De Dato Giovanbattista , Sirca Costantino , Estiarte Marc
Published: April 2009

Aim  To test whether the onset of spring growth in European shrublands is advanced in response to the warmer conditions projected for the next two decades by climate models, and, if there is a change, whether it differs across Europe.

Location  The studied sites spanned a broad north–south European gradient with average annual temperatures (8.2–15.6 °C) and precipitation (511–1427 mm).

Methods  ‘Bud break’ was monitored in eight shrub and grass species in six European sites under control and experimentally warmer conditions generated by automatic roofs covering vegetation during the night.

Results  Species responsive to increased temperatures were Vaccinium myrtillus and Empetrum nigrum in Wales, Deschampsia flexuosa in Denmark, Calluna vulgaris in Netherlands, Populus alba in Hungary and Erica multiflora in Spain. Although the acceleration of spring growth was the commonest response to warming treatments, the responses at each site were species specific and year dependent. Under experimental warming 25% of cases exhibited a significantly earlier onset of the growing season and 10% had a significantly delayed onset of vegetative growth. No geographical gradient was detected in the experimental warming effects. However, there was a trend towards a greater dominance of phenological advances with more intense the warming treatments. Above 0.8 °C warming, only advancements were recorded.

Main conclusions  Our results show that warmer temperatures projected for the next decades have substantial potential effects on the phenology of the spring growth of dominant species in different European shrublands, with a dominant trend towards advancements the more intense the warming is. However, our study also demonstrates the overall difficulties of applying simple predictive relationships to extrapolate the effects of global change on phenology. Various combinations of environmental factors occur concurrently at different European sites and the interactions between different drivers (e.g. water and chilling) can alter phenology significantly.
Seedling recruitment, survival and facilitation in alpine Pinus uncinata tree line ecotones. Implications and potential responses to climate warming
Authors: Batllori Enric , Camarero J. Julio , Ninot Josep M. , Gutiérrez Emilia
Published: April 2009

Aims  Alpine tree line ecotones are harsh environments where low temperatures constrain tree regeneration and growth. However, the expected upward shift of tree line ecotones in response to climate warming has not been ubiquitous. The lack of coupling between tree line dynamics and climate warming might be explained by factors other than climate variation that determine seedling recruitment in these ecotones. We want to assess how the availability of suitable habitat for establishment and the effects of facilitation on seedling survival and growth affect tree recruitment within tree line ecotones and modulate their responses to climate.

Location  We evaluate the relevance of these factors for Pinus uncinata tree line ecotones in the Catalan Pyrenees (north‐east Spain) and Andorra.

Methods  We analysed the microhabitat of naturally established seedlings in rectangular plots at the tree line ecotone, assessing the habitat type and the proximity to potentially protective elements that may improve microsite conditions. We tested whether krummholz individuals influence regeneration at the tree line by performing a transplantation field experiment to evaluate the extent of facilitation on seedling survival and growth in height. A total of 820 seedlings were transplanted at different distances and orientations (resulting in 12 positions) from krummholz mats and monitored over 2 years.

Results  Safe sites for P. uncinata recruits consisted of sparse vegetation covering bare soil, gravel or litter, and close to protective elements that may ameliorate microsite conditions. The field experiment showed that directional positive interactions enhance seedling survival and growth, altering the spatial patterns of recruit survivorship, especially during harsh winter conditions (shallow and irregular snowpack).

Main conclusions  Our results suggest that scarce availability of safe sites and uneven facilitation by krummholz control seedling recruitment patterns within alpine tree line ecotones. Such constraints may distort or counter the response of tree line ecotones to climate warming at local and regional scales.
The Global Financial Stability Architecture Fails Again: sub‐prime crisis lessons for policymakers
Authors: Pattanaik Sitikantha
Published: April 2009

Every financial crisis leaves behind important lessons, while exposing the limitations of the policy framework for preventing a systemic crisis. The sub‐prime crisis has seriously dented the credibility of every institution vested with the responsibility for promoting financial stability. Besides the immediate global policy accent on crisis management in the form of unprecedented bailouts and massive liquidity injections, considerable analysis and policy emphasis has been directed at understanding the crisis in order to identify why and where the international financial stability architecture failed, and how it could be restructured to make it more effective in preventing another major financial crisis in future. The paper outlines the causes of the crisis, highlights the important policy issues that the global policy making community has to address, and discusses several suggestions for improving the global financial stability architecture.
Factor Determinants of Total Factor Productivity Growth in Malaysian Manufacturing Industries: a decomposition analysis
Authors: Kim Sangho , Shafi’i Mazlina
Published: April 2009

To decompose total factor productivity growth into technical progress, technical efficiency change, allocative efficiency change, and scale efficiency change, a stochastic frontier approach was applied to Malaysian manufacturing data covering the period 2000 to 2004. The results show that total factor productivity was driven mainly by technical progress but was hurt by deteriorating technical efficiency. Scale efficiency and allocative efficiency also exerted significant influences on total factor productivity. The skill and quality of workers were the most important determinants of technical efficiency, whereas foreign ownership, imports, and employee quality underpinned technical progress. The impact of firm size on scale economies differed across industries.
Understanding India's Regional Initiatives with East and Southeast Asia
Authors: Chanda Rupa , Gopalan Sasidaran
Published: April 2009

In recent years, India has concluded several bilateral and regional agreements with countries in East and Southeast Asia. This paper discusses four motivating factors underlying these initiatives: (i) the recognition by other Asian countries of India's growing importance as an investment and export market, as a supplier of manpower, and as a counterbalance to China's growing regional dominance; (ii) India's recognition of Asia's growing importance in the world economy; (iii) India's desire to prevent its marginalisation and to create a sphere of political and economic influence within East and Southeast Asia; and (iv) geo‐political considerations such as securing energy interests, and addressing transport and connectivity concerns and long‐term political and sub‐regional stability objectives. India's approach to these integration efforts has been largely defensive and its future integration initiatives are likely to be more geo‐political and strategic in nature.
A New Financial Infrastructure to Recover the Loss of Trust?
Authors: Pixley Jocelyn
Published: April 2009

This paper examines four sets of proposals for a new financial infrastructure in the wake of the global financial crisis. It is argued that two concerns should inform us about the way forward. First, uncertainty cannot be ignored because money relies on trust. Second, we live in an increasingly impersonal world with many diverse peoples now involved in the global financial industry. Each proposal is assessed in terms of sociological worries about the decline of trust.
Bodily Chiasms
Authors: Letiche Hugo
Published: April 2009

The theory of the body I want to explore here, assumes that researcher and researched are part of the same flesh of the world and can be understood in radical conjunction and not in duality. An interview is examined, first from the lifeworld (nursing) research paradigm and thereafter on the hand of Merleau-Ponty's concept of the reversibility of touching and being touched, wherein ‘subject’ (who touches) and ‘object’ (who is touched) are radically interrelated and coconstituted. Merleau-Ponty develops his reflections on this radical interaction as the ‘chiasm’.

Although investigating the ‘chiasm’ can be seen as lifeworld research, the more common lifeworld approach only leads to rich description, which lacks the radical relational understanding of Merleau-Ponty's insights. I believe that acknowledgement of the chiasms of interrelationship reveals complex processes of enfoldment taking place between researcher and researched, writer and reader. All of them are enclosed in what Merleau-Ponty called the enfoldments or flesh of the world; which makes it very difficult to determine who touches whom and who is touched by whom. Research, when it tries to see, interpret and study the other, focuses on the visible of touching and being touched; but these inherently carry with them the invisible of the same actions. The consequences of these relationships for my study of a specific elderly woman are explored here.
Testing for linear vector autoregressive dynamics under multivariate generalized autoregressive heteroskedasticity
Authors: Hafner Christian M. , Herwartz Helmut
Published: April 2009

In this paper, we propose a fixed design wild bootstrap procedure to test parameter restrictions in vector autoregressive models, which is robust in cases of conditionally heteroskedastic error terms. The wild bootstrap does not require any parametric specification of the volatility process and takes contemporaneous error correlation implicitly into account. Via a Monte Carlo investigation, empirical size and power properties of the method are illustrated for the case of white noise under the null hypothesis. We compare the bootstrap approach with standard ordinary least squares (OLS)‐based, weighted least squares (WLS) and quasi‐maximum likelihood (QML) approaches. In terms of empirical size, the proposed method outperforms competing approaches and achieves size‐adjusted power close to WLS or QML inference. A White correction of standard OLS inference is satisfactory only in large samples. We investigate the case of Granger causality in a bivariate system of inflation expectations in France and the United Kingdom. Our evidence suggests that the former are Granger causal for the latter while for the reverse relation Granger non‐causality cannot be rejected.
Expert opinion versus expertise in forecasting
Authors: Franses Philip Hans , McAleer Michael , Legerstee Rianne
Published: April 2009

Expert opinion is an opinion given by an expert, and it can have significant value in forecasting key policy variables in economics and finance. Expert forecasts can either be expert opinions, or forecasts based on an econometric model. An expert forecast that is based on an econometric model is replicable, and can be defined as a replicable expert forecast (REF), whereas an expert opinion that is not based on an econometric model can be defined as a non‐replicable expert forecast (Non‐REF). Both REF and Non‐REF may be made available by an expert regarding a policy variable of interest. In this paper, we develop a model to generate REF, and compare REF with Non‐REF. A method is presented to compare REF and Non‐REF using efficient estimation methods, and a direct test of expertise on expert opinion is given. The latter serves the purpose of investigating whether expert adjustment improves the model‐based forecasts. Illustrations for forecasting pharmaceutical stock keeping unit (SKUs), where the econometric model is of (variations of) the autoregressive integrated moving average model (ARIMA) type, show the relevance of the new methodology proposed in the paper. In particular, experts possess significant expertise, and expert forecasts are significant in explaining actual sales.
Dermoscopy of Kaposi's sarcoma: Areas exhibiting the multicoloured ‘rainbow pattern’
Authors: Hu S C‐S , Ke C‐L K , Lee C‐H , Wu C‐S , Chen G‐S , Cheng S‐T
Published: April 2009

Background  Kaposi's sarcoma is a vascular tumour characterized by a proliferation of spindle cells and endothelial cells to form closely arranged slit‐like vascular spaces. Currently, the definitive diagnosis of Kaposi's sarcoma relies on histology. The dermoscopic features of Kaposi's sarcoma are not clearly defined in the scientific literature.

Objectives  We seek to evaluate the dermoscopic features of Kaposi's sarcoma and compare them with other vascular tumours.

Methods  One hundred forty‐one lesions from seven patients with histologically proven Kaposi's sarcoma were evaluated using polarized light dermoscopy for the presence of various dermoscopic features. Twenty patients with other vascular tumours were also examined.

Results  Dermoscopic examination revealed bluish‐reddish coloration (84% of lesions), multicoloured areas showing various colours of the rainbow spectrum (36%), scaly surface (29%), and small brown globules (15%). The ‘rainbow pattern’ was found in six out of seven patients with Kaposi's sarcoma and was not observed in other vascular tumours. In addition, there was an absence of dermoscopic features specific for other vascular and non‐vascular skin tumours, such as well‐defined lacunae or structured vascular pattern, in most of the Kaposi's sarcoma lesions.

Conclusions  The most frequent dermoscopic patterns in Kaposi's sarcoma were found to be bluish‐reddish coloration, the ‘rainbow pattern’, and scaly surface. The rainbow pattern is a dermoscopic feature which has not been previously described. We propose that dermoscopy, as an adjunct to clinical examination, may enhance accuracy in the preoperative diagnosis of Kaposi's sarcoma.
Why cordylid lizards are black at the south‐western tip of Africa
Authors: Janse van Rensburg D. A. , Mouton P. le F. N. , Van Niekerk A.
Published: April 2009

There is a high incidence of melanism among the cordylid lizards of Africa and it was suggested that melanism has a thermoregulatory function in these species. One prediction of the thermal melanism hypothesis would be that melanistic cordylid species would be restricted to cool environments. The aim of our study was to determine the climatic conditions with which melanistic cordylids are currently associated. Distributional data for the eight melanistic cordylid taxa occurring at the south‐western tip of Africa were obtained from the CapeNature State of Biodiversity database. Using GIS and principal component analyses, the climatic variables best describing the geographical distribution of melanistic cordylids were investigated. We found that several melanistic cordylid populations show a distinct association with a high incidence of fog and cloud cover, underscoring the thermal melanism hypothesis. Several other populations, however, do not show such an association. We conclude that some species, such as Pseudocordylus capensis, have a morphology that provides them with great flexibility in habitat use, allowing them to overcome the constraints of melanism in warm environments. The available information suggests that melanism in cordylids evolved during the Miocene in response to the development of the cold Benguela Current along the west coast of Africa. We also conclude that viviparity, a sit‐and‐wait foraging strategy and a rock‐dwelling lifestyle would have preadapted cordylids for survival in cool conditions brought about by the development of the cold Benguela Current. These conditions would have been unfavourable for oviparous, active‐foraging lizards. The co‐occurrence of melanistic lizards and melanistic molluscs at the Landdroskop locality casts some doubt on improved heating rates as the only explanation for melanism in cordylids, because molluscs are not heliothermic baskers.
Do plant parts compete for resources? An evolutionary viewpoint
Authors: Sadras Victor O. , Denison R. Ford
Published: April 2009

Simultaneously growing sinks are thought to compete for plant resources. Negative correlations, for example between grain number and stem mass in cereals, indeed resemble competition; but is the notion of intra‐plant competition evolutionarily justified? Here we review intra‐plant competition in light of two aspects of evolutionary biology: (a) major transitions that led to the reorganization of evolutionary individuals (e.g. isolated DNA molecules and independent cells) into new units of adaptation (e.g. chromosomes and multicellular organisms) with associated constraints to intra‐individual conflict; and (b) genomic conflicts within individual plants with implications for resource allocation. Against this background, we look at apparent competition among genetically identical plant parts, and conclude that plants might use competition‐like mechanisms to allocate resources, but only to the extent that these proximate mechanisms enhance overall plant fitness. In dealing with apparent competition among genetically different plant structures, we emphasize developing seeds attached to the same maternal plant, and the determination of yield components in annual crops. We propose that competition‐like mechanisms among genetically different plant parts have been strongly shaped by the evolution of genomic conflict between parent and offspring, between female and male parents, and among siblings. By defining the number and potential size of grain simultaneously and before fertilization, a strong maternal control of resource allocation is exerted that favours uniform offspring size and partially counteracts genomic conflict.
Cell entry strategy of clostridial neurotoxins
Authors: Binz Thomas , Rummel Andreas
Published: April 2009

Tetanus neurotoxin and botulinum neurotoxins are the causative agents of tetanus and botulism. They block the release of neurotransmitters from synaptic vesicles in susceptible animals and man and act in nanogram quantities because of their ability to specifically attack motoneurons. They developed an ingenious strategy to enter neurons. This involves a concentration step via complex polysialo gangliosides at the plasma membrane and the uptake and ride in recycling synaptic vesicles initiated by binding to a specific protein receptor. Finally, the neurotoxins shut down the synaptic vesicle cycle, which they had misused before to enter their target cells, via specific cleavage of protein core components of the cellular membrane fusion machinery. The uptake of four out of seven known botulinum neurotoxins into synaptic vesicles has been demonstrated to rely on binding to intravesicular segments of the synaptic vesicle proteins synaptotagmin or synaptic vesicle protein 2. This review summarizes the present knowledge about the cell receptor molecules and the mode of toxin‐receptor interaction that enables the toxins’ sophisticated access to their site of action.
The surface‐exposed chaperone, Hsp60, is an agonist of the microglial TREM2 receptor
Authors: Stefano Luisa , Racchetti Gabriella , Bianco Fabio , Passini Nadia , Gupta Radhey S. , Bordignon Paola Panina , Meldolesi Jacopo
Published: April 2009

Triggering receptor expressed in myeloid (TREM) cells 2, a receptor expressed by myeloid cells, osteoclasts and microglia, is known to play a protective role in bones and brain. Mutations of the receptor (or of its coupling protein, DAP12) sustain in fact a genetic disease affecting the two organs, the polycystic lipomembraneous osteodysplasia with sclerosing leukoencephalopathy (PLOSL or Nasu‐Hakola disease). So far, specific agonist(s) of TREM2 have not been identified and its (their) transduction mechanisms are largely unknown. Heat shock protein 60 (Hsp60) is a mitochondrial chaperone that can also be harboured at the cell surface. By using constructs including the extracellular domain of TREM2 and the Fc domain of IgGs we have identified Hsp60 as the only TREM2‐binding protein exposed at the surface of neuroblastoma N2A cells and astrocytes, and lacking in U373 astrocytoma. Treatment with Hsp60 was found to stimulate the best known TREM2‐dependent process, phagocytosis, however, only in the microglial N9 cells rich in the receptor. Upon TREM2 down‐regulation, the Hsp60‐induced stimulation of N9 phagocytosis was greatly attenuated. Hsp60 is also released by many cell types, segregated within exosomes or shedding vesicles which might then undergo dissolution. However, the affinity of its binding (Kd = 3.8 μM) might be too low for the soluble chaperone released from the vesicles to the extracellular space to induce a significant activation of TREM2. It might in contrast be appropriate for the binding of TREM2 to Hsp60 exposed at the surface of cells closely interacting with microglia. The ensuing stimulation of phagocytosis could play protective effects on the brain.
Pharmacological evidences for DFK167‐sensitive presenilin‐independent γ‐secretase‐like activity
Authors: Sevalle Jean , Ayral Erwan , Hernandez Jean‐François , Martinez Jean , Checler Frédéric
Published: April 2009

Amyloid‐β (Aβ) peptides production is thought to be a key event in the neurodegenerative process ultimately leading to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathology. A bulk of studies concur to propose that the C‐terminal moiety of Aβ is released from its precursor β‐amyloid precursor protein by a high molecular weight enzymatic complex referred to as γ‐secretase, that is composed of at least, nicastrin (NCT), Aph‐1, Pen‐2, and presenilins (PS) 1 or 2. They are thought to harbor the γ‐secretase catalytic activity. However, several lines of evidence suggest that additional γ‐secretase‐like activities could potentially contribute to Aβ production. By means of a quenched fluorimetric substrate (JMV2660) mimicking the β‐amyloid precursor protein sequence targeted by γ‐secretase, we first show that as expected, this probe allows monitoring of an activity detectable in several cell systems including the neuronal cell line telencephalon specific murine neurons (TSM1). This activity is reduced by DFK167, N‐[N‐(3,5‐difluorophenacetyl)‐L‐alanyl]‐S‐phenylglycine t‐butyl ester (DAPT), and LY68458, three inhibitors known to functionally interact with PS. Interestingly, JMV2660 but not the unrelated peptide JMV2692, inhibits Aβ production in an in vitroγ‐secretase assay as expected from a putative substrate competitor. This activity is enhanced by PS1 and PS2 mutations known to be responsible for familial forms of AD and reduced by aspartyl mutations inactivating PS or in cells devoid of PS or NCT. However, we clearly establish that residual JMV2660‐hydrolysing activity could be recovered in PS‐ and NCT‐deficient fibroblasts and that this activity remained inhibited by DFK167. Overall, our study describes the presence of a proteolytic activity displaying γ‐secretase‐like properties but independent of PS and still blocked by DFK167, suggesting that the PS‐dependent complex could not be the unique γ‐secretase activity responsible for Aβ production and delineates PS‐independent γ‐secretase activity as a potential additional therapeutic target to fight AD pathology.
Distinct role of growth hormone on epilepsy progression in a model of temporal lobe epilepsy
Authors: Kato Keiko , Suzuki Masakazu , Kanno Hiroki , Sekino Shinji , Kusakabe Ken , Okada Toshiya , Mori Tetsuji , Yoshida Kazuyuki , Hirabayashi Yoshio
Published: April 2009

Temporal lobe epilepsy is a common form of pharmacoresistant epilepsy, in which epileptogenic foci propagate to other regions of the brain from the area of the initial insult. The present study focused on epileptogenesis, that is, the development of the first foci inducing seizures in amygdala‐kindled mice, a model of temporal lobe epilepsy, to find the molecular process promoting the formation of epileptogenic networks. The expression of growth hormone (GH) was up‐regulated along neural circuits during the epileptogenesis, while there was no difference in the pituitary gland. The up‐regulation was associated with increased phosphorylation/activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 and expression of the Serum Response Element‐regulated genes, FBJ osteosarcoma oncogene, early growth response 1, and Jun‐B oncogene, suggesting that expression of GH leads to GH signaling in the hippocampus and cortex. Furthermore, the administration of the hormone into the hippocampus markedly enhanced the progression of kindling. The administration of an inhibitor of its secretion into the hippocampus elicited a delay in the progression. Our results demonstrate directly that regulation via growth hormone has a robust impact in epileptogenesis.
Neuroprotection by estrogen in the brain: the mitochondrial compartment as presumed therapeutic target
Authors: Arnold Susanne , Beyer Cordian
Published: April 2009

Neuroprotection by estrogen in the CNS is well‐documented and comprises the intricate regulation of cell–cell communication between neurons and supportive non‐neuronal glial cells. It is assumed that these interactions are essential for cell survival under pathological and toxic conditions by regulating the allocation of trophic molecules, e.g., growth factors, controlling relevant intracellular anti‐apoptotic and death cascades, and attenuating inflammatory processes. Malfunction and disturbance of mitochondria are doubtlessly associated with brain cell degeneration during neurotoxic and neurodegenerative processes. Estrogen has been documented as protective agent in the brain by stimulating growth factor supply and cell‐intrinsic pro‐/anti‐apoptotic signaling pathways. In recent years, an additional estrogen‐dependent safe‐guarding strategy comes into the focus of neuronal protection. The mitochondrial compartment appears to be regulated by estrogen at the level of ATP and reactive oxygen species production as well as under a structural‐functional viewpoint. In the present article, we would like to highlight recent data which demonstrate that sex steroids can directly and indirectly interfere with mitochondrial properties via non‐nuclear, presumably mitochondria‐intrinsic and nuclear signaling mechanisms. This enables mitochondria to cope with pathological processes and provide stabile local energy homeostasis and an anti‐apoptotic base setting in the brain which, in turn, is a prerequisite for neuronal survival.
PROVENANCE OF OBSIDIAN EXCAVATED FROM LATE CHALCOLITHIC LEVELS AT THE SITES OF TELL HAMOUKAR AND TELL BRAK, SYRIA*
Authors: KHALIDI L. , GRATUZE B. , BOUCETTA S.
Published: April 2009

X‐ray fluorescence and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA–ICP–MS) analyses conducted on 40 obsidian samples from the Late Chalcolithic 2 levels at Tell Hamoukar and Tell Brak in north‐east Syria have shown trends towards the exploitation of obsidian sources in the eastern Taurus. While the Bingöl region appears to provide the majority of obsidian to both sites, there is also evidence of more minor exploitation of a source in the Lake Van area and an altogether unknown source (X). This paper presents the data acquired from the analyses of the archaeological obsidian and situates these results within their chronological and regional contexts.
TOOLS TO QUALIFY EXPERIMENTS WITH BLOOMERY FURNACES*
Authors: SENN M. , GFELLER U. , GUÉNETTE‐BECK B. , LIENEMANN P. , ULRICH A.
Published: April 2009

Five experimental bloomery iron ore smelts were carried out in a reconstruction of an early medieval furnace of the Boécourt type (Switzerland). A part of the bloom from the most successful experiment was forged to a billet. Starting materials and products were weighed, described and chemically characterized (ICP‐MS, LA‐ICP‐MS and WD‐XRF). The calculation of the yield and mass balance based on the chemical analyses from the ore (optimum) and from the ore, furnace lining, slag and ash (applied) allow the determination and quantification of the materials involved in the process. This permits the interpretation of the quality of the experiments. The chemical characterization of metal produced from hematite ore from the Gonzen Mountains in Switzerland gives archaeologists the possibility to compare the metal of iron artefacts to metal from this mine. Finally a good agreement between experiments and archaeological reality can be shown.
Biopower, genetics and livestock breeding: (re)constituting animal populations and heterogeneous biosocial collectivities
Authors: Holloway Lewis , Morris Carol , Gilna Ben , Gibbs David
Published: April 2009

Genetic techniques have become increasingly prevalent in livestock breeding, associated with new types of knowledge‐practice and changes in the institutional and geographical relationships related to animal husbandry. This paper examines the value of Foucault’s concept of ‘biopower’ to theorising livestock breeding and the implications of the rise of genetic knowledge‐practices in agriculture, developing the concept to apply to nonhuman animals and to situations where humans and nonhuman animals are co‐constituted through particular knowledge‐practices and corporeal meetings. It focuses on the idea of ‘population’ as a central component of biopower, and relates this to conceptualisations of biosocial collectivity. Reacting to the inherent humanism of Foucault’s outlining of biopower, the paper argues for its relevance in relation to nonhuman populations, and for heterogeneous conceptualisations of biosocial collectivity. Drawing on research with UK beef cattle and sheep breed societies, the paper explores how, in practice, populations are constructed in relation to the production of particular sorts of truths concerning, and particular modes of intervention in, the lives of nonhuman animals. It explores how heterogeneous biosocial collectivities are constituted around these interventions. The emergence of genetic techniques is shown to transform the processes constituting populations and heterogeneous biosocial collectivities, and this is discussed in terms of a new inflection of agricultural biopower associated with novel interventions in the lives of livestock animals.
Geopolitical boundary narratives, the global war on terror and border fencing in India
Authors: Jones Reece
Published: April 2009

This article investigates how expansive new security projects have gained both legitimacy and immediacy as part of the ‘global war on terror’ by analysing the process that led to the fencing and securitising of the border between India and Bangladesh. The framing of the ‘enemy other’ in the global war on terror relies on two crucial shifts from previous geopolitical boundary narratives. First, the enemy other is described as not only being violent but also as outside the boundaries of modernity. Second, the enemy other is represented as posing a global and interconnected threat that is no longer limited by geography. These two shifts are used to justify the new preventative responses of pre‐emptive military action abroad and the securitisation of the borders of the state. This article argues that in India the good and evil framing of the global war on terror was mapped onto longstanding communal distinctions between Hindus and Muslims. In the process, Pakistan, Bangladesh and increasingly Muslims generally are described as violent, irrational and a threat to the security of the Indian state. These changes led to a profound shift in the borderlands of the Indian state of West Bengal, where fencing and securitising the border with Bangladesh was previously resisted, but now is deemed essential. The article concludes that the framing of the war on terror as a global and interconnected problem has allowed sovereign states to consolidate power and move substantially closer to the territorial ideal of a closed and bounded container of an orderly population by attempting to lock down political borders.
Empirical Analysis of Competition between Wal‐Mart and Other Retail Channels
Authors: Chiou Lesley
Published: April 2009

This paper quantifies the degree of competition between Wal‐Mart and different retail channels by exploiting a unique dataset that describes a consumer's choice of store. Using a discrete choice model, I estimate a consumer's choice of retailer in the sales market for DVDs among online, mass merchant, electronics, video specialty, and music stores. Wal‐Mart competes more intensely with other mass merchants, and conditional on price and distance, the average consumer still prefers Wal‐Mart to most other stores. I also consider a counterfactual experiment regarding the entry of Wal‐Mart into 15 proposed store sites into California.
Positive Assortive Merging
Authors: Ornaghi Carmine
Published: April 2009

This paper addresses the following two questions: (i) Is there any evidence that firms, like human beings, prefer to partner with alike? (ii) Is there any relationship between the ex ante technological and product relatedness of merging parties and the postmerger performances? Using data of patent holdings and product portfolios of big pharmaceutical companies, I find that (i) merger deals are more likely to be signed between firms with related technologies and drug portfolios, and (ii) product relatedness and technology relatedness are positively and negatively correlated with postmerger performances, respectively. The analysis suggests that the negative effect of technology relatedness might be driven by a large human capital depreciation following consolidations. The results have important implications for competition policy, which are discussed in the concluding section.