bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hemispheric asymmetry in recognition memory: Effects of retention level on the recognition of Portuguese words
Authors: Oliveira Jorge , Perea Maria Victoria , Ladera Valentina , Gamito Pedro
Published: October 2010

Early findings from Broca and Wernicke led to the classical view of hemispheric specialization, where the main idea relates to left‐hemisphere language capabilities compared to right‐hemisphere visual capabilities. Federmeier and Benjamin (2005) have suggested that semantic encoding for verbal information in the right hemisphere can be more effective when memory demands are higher. In light of this, our main goal was to study the effect of retention level of verbal information on hemispheric processes. However, regarding the cross‐linguistic differences in orthography and their subsequent effects on word recognition (Frost, Katz, & Bentin, 1987), our intent was also to test prior predictions of Federmeier and Benjamin (2005) for a “shallow” orthography language, where words have a clear correspondence between graphemes and phonemes, as opposed to English, which is a “deep” orthography language. Portuguese concrete nouns were selected. The participants were submitted to a visual half‐field word presentation using a continuous recognition memory paradigm. The retention level included 1, 2, 4, 8, 20 or 40 words. Results showed that recognition accuracy was higher for words studied in the right visual field, compared to those studied in the left visual field, when the retention interval included 2, 4, or 20 words. No significant differences were found for the remaining intervals. Further analysis on accuracy data for intermediate retention levels showed that recognition accuracy was higher for the 2 words retention level than for the levels including 4, 8, or 20 words; it was higher for left‐hemisphere encoding as well. Our results also indicated that reaction times were slower for left‐hemisphere encoding and for the 40 words retention level when compared to that of 20 words. In summary, the current results are in partial agreement with those of Federmeier and Benjamin (2005) and suggest different hemispheric memory strategies for the semantic encoding of verbal information.
Exploring Interdisciplinary Themes in Introductory Psychology
Authors: Ritchey Kristin A. , Bott Jennifer P.
Published: October 2010

We describe a method for helping introductory psychology students identify interdisciplinary connections among 5 social science disciplines. Pre- and posttest data assessed 359 undergraduates' understanding of psychology's relation to other fields. Results indicate the method is effective and provides one way for individual instructors to address interdisciplinary themes in their courses.
Lurking on the Internet: A Small-Group Assignment That Puts a Human Face on Psychopathology
Authors: Lowman Joseph , Judge Abigail M. , Wiss Charles
Published: October 2010

Lurking on the Internet aims to put a human face on psychopathology for the abnormal psychology course. Student groups are assigned major diagnostic categories and instructed to search the Internet for discussion forums, individual blogs, or YouTube videos where affected individuals discuss their symptoms and lives. After discussing the ethics of passively observing public sites, students monitor relevant sites throughout the term and evaluate what they are learning in class from the perspective of affected individuals. At the end of the term, students submit individual papers based on their observations. Periodically, individual groups are given opportunities to share their findings and, depending on the size of the class, to make formal presentations.
Taking the Pulse of Undergraduate Health Psychology: A Nationwide Survey
Authors: Brack Amy Badura , Kesitilwe Kutlo , Ware Mark E.
Published: October 2010

We conducted a random national survey of 100 doctoral, 100 comprehensive, and 100 baccalaureate institutions to determine the current state of the undergraduate health psychology course. We found clear evidence of a maturing course with much greater commonality in name (health psychology), theoretical foundation (the biopsychosocial model), and course content (e.g., smoking, heart disease, stress, chronic illness) than reported in the past. Also indicative of growth, 33% of all schools compared offered the course compared to only a quarter of schools offering the course 2 decades ago. Finally, we discuss the current state of health psychology and summaries of course content and teaching strategies.
Confronting Prejudiced Comments: Effectiveness of a Role-Playing Exercise
Authors: Lawson Timothy J. , McDonough Tracy A. , Bodle James H.
Published: October 2010

We examined whether a role-playing exercise, similar to that developed by Plous (2000), increases students' ability to generate effective responses to prejudiced comments. We assessed social psychology students' (n = 23) ability to respond to prejudiced comments before and after the exercise, and compared their performance to that of 2 other groups of students (total n = 38) who did not participate in the exercise. Results showed that the exercise increased students' ability to generate effective responses to prejudiced comments. If students apply this skill in their daily lives, it could lead to a reduction in the overt expression of prejudice among others.
Professor–Student Rapport Scale Predicts Student Outcomes
Authors: Wilson Janie H. , Ryan Rebecca G. , Pugh James L.
Published: October 2010

Rapport traditionally has been measured in therapy or in other one-on-one relationships such as with roommates. As yet, no scale is available to measure professor–student rapport. In this study, 51 undergraduates created items to measure professor–student rapport, and subsequently, 195 different college students rated their agreement with items based on their professor. Factor analysis revealed 1 meaningful component of professor–student rapport represented by 34 items. Rapport correlated with professor immediacy, providing convergent validity. Hierarchical linear regression with immediacy entered first and rapport entered second revealed significant improvement in prediction of student attitudes toward the instructor and the course as well as student motivation, perceptions of learning, and self-reported grades. Thus, we propose that professor–student rapport as measured by the current scale serves as a useful predictor of valuable student outcomes.
Audiovisual speech from emotionally expressive and lateralized faces
Authors: Gordon Michael S. , Hibberts Mary
Published: October 2010

Emotional expression and how it is lateralized across the two sides of the face may influence how we detect audiovisual speech. To investigate how these components interact we conducted experiments comparing the perception of sentences expressed with happy, sad, and neutral emotions. In addition we isolated the facial asymmetries for affective and speech processing by independently testing the two sides of a talker's face. These asymmetrical differences were exaggerated using dynamic facial chimeras in which left- or right-face halves were paired with their mirror image during speech production. Results suggest that there are facial asymmetries in audiovisual speech such that the right side of the face and right-facial chimeras supported better speech perception than their left-face counterparts. Affective information was also found to be critical in that happy expressions tended to improve speech performance on both sides of the face relative to all other emotions, whereas sad emotions generally inhibited visual speech information, particularly from the left side of the face. The results suggest that approach information may facilitate visual and auditory speech detection.
Baseline Sensitivity of Cercospora zeae-maydis to Quinone Outside Inhibitor Fungicides
Authors: Bradley C. A. , Pedersen D. K.
Published: October 2010

Cercospora zeae-maydis, the causal agent of gray leaf spot on corn (Zea mays), can cause severe yield loss in the United States. Quinone outside inhibitor (QoI) fungicides are effective tools that can be used to manage gray leaf spot, and their use has increased in corn production in the United States. In total, 61 C. zeae-maydis isolates collected from fields in which QoI fungicides had never been applied were tested in vitro using azoxystrobin-, pyraclostrobin-, or trifloxystrobin-amended medium to determine the effective fungicide concentration at which 50% of the conidial germination was inhibited (EC50). The effect of salicylhydroxamic acid (SHAM) also was evaluated for seven isolates to determine whether C. zeae-maydis is capable of using alternative respiration in azoxystrobin-amended medium. All seven C. zeae-maydis isolates tested had significantly greater (P < 0.02) EC50 values when SHAM was not included in medium amended with azoxystrobin, indicating that C. zeae-maydis has the potential to utilize alternative respiration to overcome QoI fungicide inhibition in vitro. Baseline EC50 values of azoxystrobin ranged from 0.003 to 0.031 μg/ml, with mean and median values of 0.018 and 0.019 μg/ml, respectively. Baseline EC50 values of pyraclostrobin ranged from 0.0003 to 0.0025 μg/ml, with mean and median values of 0.0010 and 0.0010 μg/ml, respectively. Baseline EC50 values of trifloxystrobin ranged from 0.0004 to 0.0034 μg/ml, with mean and median values of 0.0023 and 0.0024 μg/ml, respectively. These baseline sensitivity values will be used in a fungicide resistance monitoring program to determine whether shifts in sensitivity to QoI fungicides are occurring in C. zeae-maydis populations.
First Report of Pilidiella granati on Pomegranate with Symptoms of Crown Rot in the Prefecture of Xanthi, Greece
Authors: Thomidis T. , Exadaktylou E.
Published: October 2010

In spring 2010, plants of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) cv. Wonderful with symptoms of crown rot were observed in the Prefecture of Xanthi, Thrace, Greece. Close examination of these plants revealed distinct symptoms of crown rots. Isolations from the lower margins of the necrotic area were made by plating tissues of approximately 3 mm on acidified (2.5 ml of 85% lactic acid per liter of nutrient medium to create a pH = 3.5 after autoclaving) potato dextrose agar. The plates were incubated at 23°C for 5 to 7 days, and consistent colonies with light yellow, leathery mycelia and abundant, black, solitary pycnidia of various sizes were observed. Hyphae were septate and conidia were hyaline, one-celled, and ellipsoid to fusiform (average 10.1 to 20.2 × 3.2 to 4.3 μm). The pathogen was identified as Pilidiella granati Saccardo (synonym Coniella granati (Saccardo) Petrak & Sydow (3)) based on mycelium and spore morphology and ribosomal ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 sequences, which were identical to GenBank No. FN908875. Koch's postulates were completed in the laboratory by inoculating 20 1-year-old plants of pomegranate cv. Wonderful. With a 7-mm-diameter cork borer, a wound was created in the middle of each collar by removing the bark. A 6-mm-diameter agar plug bearing mycelia and spores from a 15-day-old culture of P. granati was inserted into each wound. The wound was covered with petroleum jelly and wrapped with adhesive tape to prevent desiccation. Ten trees were inoculated with sterile potato dextrose agar plugs to serve as controls. All plants were incubated at 25°C for 10 days, at which time necrosis was observed. Koch's postulates were satisfied after reisolating the fungus from inoculated plants that developed symptoms similar to those observed in the field. Control plants produced no symptoms of disease. To our knowledge, this is the first report of P. granati from pomegranate plants with symptoms of crown rots in Greece. The role of predisposing factors such as herbicides and frost damage to infection by P. granati is unknown. This pathogen has been reported to cause fruit rot of pomegranate in Spain (2) and California (1).

References: (1) T. J. Michailides et al. (Abstr.) Phytopathology 100(suppl.):S83, 2010. (2) L. Palou et al. New Dis. Rep. Online publication. doi:10.5197/j.2044-0588.2010.022.021, 2010. (3) G T. Tziros and K. Tzavella-Klonari. Plant Pathol. 57:783, 2007.
Mutation of a degS Homologue in Enterobacter cloacae Decreases Colonization and Biological Control of Damping-Off on Cucumber
Authors: Roberts Daniel P. , Lohrke Scott M. , McKenna Laurie , Lakshman Dilip K. , Kong Hyesuk , Lydon John
Published: October 2010

We have been using mutagenesis to determine how biocontrol bacteria such as Enterobacter cloacae 501R3 deal with complex nutritional environments found in association with plants. E. cloacae C10, a mutant of 501R3 with a transposon insertion in degS, was diminished in growth on synthetic cucumber root exudate (SRE), colonization of cucumber seed and roots, and control of damping-off of cucumber caused by Pythium ultimum. DegS, a periplasmic serine protease in the closely related bacterium Escherichia coli K12, is required for the RpoE-mediated stress response. C10 containing wild-type degS from 501R3 or from E. coli K12 on pBeloBAC11 was significantly increased in growth on SRE, colonization of cucumber roots, and control of P. ultimum relative to C10 containing pBeloBAC11 alone. C10 and 501R3 were similar in sensitivity to acidic conditions, plant-derived phenolic compounds, oxidative stress caused by hydrogen peroxide, dessication, and high osmoticum; stress conditions potentially associated with plants. This study demonstrates a role for degS in the spermosphere and rhizosphere during colonization and disease control by Enterobacter cloacae. This study implicates, for the first time, the involvement of DegS and, by extension, the RpoE-mediated stress response, in reducing stress on E. cloacae resulting from the complex nutritional environments in the spermosphere and rhizosphere.
Interactions Between Coniothyrium minitans and Sclerotinia minor Affect Biocontrol Efficacy of C. minitans
Authors: Chitrampalam P. , Wu B. M. , Koike S. T. , Subbarao K. V.
Published: October 2010

Coniothyrium minitans, marketed as Contans, has become a standard management tool against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum in a variety of crops, including winter lettuce. However, it has been ineffective against lettuce drop caused by S. minor. The interactions between C. minitans and S minor were investigated to determine the most susceptible stage in culture to attack by C. minitans, and to determine its consistency on S minor isolates belonging to four major mycelial compatibility groups (MCGs). Four isolates of S. minor MCG 1 and 5 each from MCGs 2 and 3 and one from MCG 4 were treated in culture at purely mycelial, a few immature sclerotial, and fully mature sclerotial phases with a conidial suspension of C. minitans. Sclerotia from all treatments were harvested after 4 weeks, air dried, weighed, and plated on potato dextrose agar for recovery of C. minitans. S. minor formed the fewest sclerotia in plates that received C. minitans at the mycelial stage; C. minitans was recovered from nearly all sclerotia from this treatment and sclerotial mortality was total. However, the response of MCGs was inconsistent and variable. Field experiments to determine the efficacy of C. minitans relative to the registered fungicide, Endura, on lettuce drop incidence and soil inoculum dynamics were conducted from 2006 to 2009. All Contans treatments had significantly lower numbers of sclerotia than Endura and unsprayed control treatments, and drop incidence was as low as in Endura-treated plots (P > 0.05). Although the lower levels of lettuce drop in Contans treatments were correlated with significantly lower levels of sclerotia, the lower levels of lettuce drop, despite the presence of higher inoculum in the Endura treatment, was attributable to the prevention of infection by S. minor. A useful approach to sustained lettuce drop management is to employ Contans to lower the number of sclerotia in soil and to apply Endura to prevent S. minor infection within a cropping season.
Region-Wide Analysis of Genetic Diversity in Verticillium dahliae Populations Infecting Olive in Southern Spain and Agricultural Factors Influencing the Distribution and Prevalence of Vegetative Compatibility Groups and Pathotypes
Authors: Jiménez-Díaz Rafael M. , Olivares-García Concepción , Landa Blanca B. , del Mar Jiménez-Gasco María , Navas-Cortés Juan A.
Published: October 2010

Severity of Verticillium wilt in olive trees in Andalusia, southern Spain is associated with the spread of a highly virulent, defoliating (D) Verticillium dahliae pathotype of vegetative compatibility group 1A (VCG1A) but the extent of this spread and the diversity of the pathogen population have never been documented. VCG typing of 637 V. dahliae isolates from 433 trees in 65 orchards from five olive-growing provinces in Andalusia indicated that 78.1% were of VCG1A, 19.8% of VCG2A, 0.6% of VCG2B, 1.4% of VCG4B, and one isolate was heterokaryon self-incompatible. A single VCG prevailed among isolates within most orchards but two and three VCGs were identified in 12 and 3 orchards, respectively, with VCG1A+VCG2A occurring in 10 orchards. VCG1A was the predominant VCG in the three most important olive-growing provinces, and was almost as prevalent as VCG2A in another one. Molecular pathotyping of the 637 isolates using specific polymerase chain reaction assays indicated that VCG1A isolates were of the D pathotype whereas isolates of VCG2A, -2B, and -4B were of the less virulent nondefoliating (ND) pathotype. The pathotype of isolates correlated with the disease syndrome affecting sampled trees. Only three (seq1, seq2, and seq4) of the seven known sequences of the V. dahliae-specific 539- or 523-bp amplicon were identified among the 637 isolates. Distribution and prevalence of VCGs and seq sequences among orchards indicated that genetic diversity within olive V. dahliae in Andalusia is higher in provinces where VCG1A is not prevalent. Log-linear analysis revealed that irrigation management, source of irrigation water, source of planting stock, and cropping history of soil were significantly associated with the prevalence of VCG1A compared with that of VCG2A. Multivariate analyses using a selected set of agricultural factors as variables allowed development of a discriminant model for predicting the occurrence of D and ND pathotypes in the area of the study. Blind tests using this model correctly indentified the V. dahliae pathotype occurring in an orchard. The widespread occurrence and high prevalence of VCG1A/D pathotype in Andalusia have strong implications for the management of the disease.
Carcinoid Tumors of the Appendix in Children: Experience From a Tertiary Center in Northern Greece
Authors: Hatzipantelis Emmanouil , Panagopoulou Paraskevi , Sidi‐Fragandrea Vasiliki , Fragandrea Ioanna , Koliouskas Dimitrios E
Published: October 2010

Background and Objective:

Carcinoid tumors of the appendix are rare in childhood and usually have a benign clinical course. Their incidence in appendectomy specimens ranges from 0.1% to 0.9%. The aim of the study was to report the frequency, clinical presentation, tumor characteristics, and outcome of children with appendiceal carcinoid treated in a pediatric oncology department.

Patients and Methods:

All of the cases referred during a 19‐year period (1990–2008) were studied retrospectively. Demographics, clinical presentation, tumor characteristics, and follow‐up results were recorded.

Results:

Among 839 admissions, 19 patients (9 boys) with appendiceal carcinoid were identified during the study period. Their median age was 10.5 years (range 4.5–13.2 years). In all of the cases, diagnosis was established after appendectomy. The mean tumor diameter was 4.55 (±3.45) mm (range 1–15 mm). Concomitant appendicitis was diagnosed in 12 patients. In 18 children tumor size was ≤10 mm and did not infiltrate surrounding tissues. In 1 patient the size was 15 mm and a microscopic rupture of the appendix with infiltration of the surrounding fat was present. All of the tumors were located at the tip of the appendix and were of the classic histological type. Staging and follow‐up consisted of abdominal ultrasound, chest and abdominal computed tomography scans, 99Tc bone scan, urine 5‐hydroxylindoloacetic acid levels, and 111In octreotide scan. No patient had metastases requiring further therapeutic interventions. No relapses or other neoplasms occurred during a median follow‐up period of 45 months (range 6–118 months).

Conclusions:

Carcinoid tumors of the appendix in children are rare. Long‐term follow‐up revealed that a good prognosis is possible provided they are diagnosed and surgically removed at an early stage.
Health Status of Patients With Alagille Syndrome
Authors: Elisofon Scott A , Emerick Karan M , Sinacore James M , Alonso Estella M
Published: October 2010

Objectives:

The aim of the study was to assess health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) in children with Alagille syndrome (AGS) in comparison with a normative population and other chronic diseases, and also to examine the effect of AGS‐specific morbidities on HRQOL.

Patients and Methods:

A cross‐sectional study was performed using the Child Health Questionnaire Parent Form 50 (CHQ‐PF50) to measure HRQOL in patients with AGS. AGS HRQOL was compared with that of a normative population and those previously studied by the CHQ, including juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and liver transplantation. AGS‐specific questions were used in multiple regression analysis to determine correlation of features and symptoms of AGS with HRQOL.

Results:

Seventy‐one patients with AGS, ages 5 to 18 years, were studied. Those families completing surveys demonstrated that children with AGS had significantly lower HRQOL (P < 0.05) compared with the normative sample. In comparison with children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, children with AGS had lower psychosocial function scores (P < 0.0005). In comparison with children with attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder, children with AGS had lower physical function scores (P < 0.0005) but higher psychosocial function scores (P < 0.0005). Children with AGS had lower physical function scores than a liver transplant population (P < 0.05). Regression analysis indicated that cardiac catheterization or surgery, mental health diagnoses, and poor sleep were associated with lower CHQ scores in children with AGS.

Conclusions:

In the first descriptive report of HRQOL in a large cohort of patients with AGS, HRQOL was impaired, indicating a significant burden of chronic disease in both physical and psychosocial health. Additional prospective evaluation is needed in multicenter collaboration.
Nucleocytoplasmic Distribution of the Arabidopsis Chromatin-Associated HMGB2/3 and HMGB4 Proteins
Authors: Pedersen Dorthe S. , Merkle Thomas , Marktl Barbara , Lildballe Dorte L. , Antosch Martin , Bergmann Thorsten , Tönsing Katja , Anselmetti Dario , Grasser Klaus D.
Published: October 2010

High mobility group (HMG) proteins of the HMGB family are chromatin-associated proteins that as architectural factors are involved in the regulation of transcription and other DNA-dependent processes. HMGB proteins are generally considered nuclear proteins, although mammalian HMGB1 can also be detected in the cytoplasm and outside of cells. Plant HMGB proteins studied so far were found exclusively in the cell nucleus. Using immunofluorescence and fluorescence microscopy of HMGB proteins fused to the green fluorescent protein, we have examined the subcellular localization of the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) HMGB2/3 and HMGB4 proteins, revealing that, in addition to a prominent nuclear localization, they can be detected also in the cytoplasm. The nucleocytoplasmic distribution appears to depend on the cell type. By time-lapse fluorescence microscopy, it was observed that the HMGB2 and HMGB4 proteins tagged with photoactivatable green fluorescent protein can shuttle between the nucleus and the cytoplasm, while HMGB1 remains nuclear. The balance between the basic amino-terminal and the acidic carboxyl-terminal domains flanking the central HMG box DNA-binding domain critically influences the nucleocytoplasmic distribution of the HMGB proteins. Moreover, protein kinase CK2-mediated phosphorylation of the acidic tail modulates the intranuclear distribution of HMGB2. Collectively, our results show that, in contrast to other Arabidopsis HMGB proteins such as HMGB1 and HMGB5, the HMGB2/3 and HMGB4 proteins occur preferentially in the cell nucleus, but to various extents also in the cytoplasm.
Reducing Rice Seed Storage Protein Accumulation Leads to Changes in Nutrient Quality and Storage Organelle Formation
Authors: Kawakatsu Taiji , Hirose Sakiko , Yasuda Hiroshi , Takaiwa Fumio
Published: October 2010

Rice (Oryza sativa) seed storage proteins (SSPs) are synthesized and deposited in storage organelles in the endosperm during seed maturation as a nitrogen source for germinating seedlings. We have generated glutelin, globulin, and prolamin knockdown lines and have examined their effects on seed quality. A reduction of one or a few SSP(s) was compensated for by increases in other SSPs at both the mRNA and protein levels. Especially, reduction of glutelins or sulfur-rich 10-kD prolamin levels was preferentially compensated by sulfur-poor or other sulfur-rich prolamins, respectively, indicating that sulfur-containing amino acids are involved in regulating SSP composition. Furthermore, a reduction in the levels of 13-kD prolamin resulted in enhancement of the total lysine content by 56% when compared with the wild type. This observation can be mainly accounted for by the increase in lysine-rich proteins. Although reducing the level of glutelins slightly decreased protein storage vacuoles (PSVs), the simultaneous reduction of glutelin and globulin levels altered the inner structure of PSVs, implicating globulin in framing PSV formation. Knock down of 13-kD prolamins not only reduced the size of endoplasmic reticulum-derived protein bodies (PBs) but also altered the rugged peripheral structure. In contrast, PBs became slightly smaller or unchanged by severe suppression of 10- or 16-kD prolamins, respectively, indicating that individual prolamins have distinct functions in the formation of PBs. Extreme increases or decreases in sulfur-poor prolamins resulted in the production of small PBs, suggesting that the ratio of individual prolamins is crucial for proper aggregation and folding of prolamins.
Implications of climate change for the reproductive capacity and survival of New World silversides (family Atherinopsidae)
Authors: Strüssmann C. A. , Conover D. O. , Somoza G. M. , Miranda L. A.
Published: October 2010

The New World silversides (family Atherinopsidae) are found in marine, estuarine and inland waters of North, Central and South America, where they are ecologically important as forage fishes and sometimes economically important for commercial and recreational fisheries. This report reviews the knowledge of the reproductive attributes of temperate and subtropical atherinopsids in relation to temperature and discusses the potential effects of climate change on their reproduction and adaptive responses. Their reproductive cycles are primarily entrained by photoperiod with high temperature acting as a limiting factor. They are generally multiple spawners which release successive batches of eggs in spring, but some species can spawn also in autumn and even summer when temperatures do not increase excessively. The decoupling of temperature patterns and photoperiod with further global warming and associated asymmetric thermal fluctuations could lead to spawning at times or temperatures that are unsuitable for larval development and growth. Many members of this family show temperature‐dependent sex determination (TSD), where the phenotypic sex of an individual is determined partly or wholly by the temperature experienced during gonadal sex differentiation, and high‐temperature induced germ cell degeneration and decreased fertility. The predicted short‐term reproductive responses of atherinopsids to climate change therefore include acceleration, shortening or overall disruption of spawning activity, and also more subtle, but nonetheless equally population‐threatening, dysfunctions such as highly skewed sex ratios and partial or total loss of fertility. In the case of species with TSD, asymmetric thermal fluctuations could also cause larvae to encounter temperatures lower than normal during early development and be feminized. Such dysfunctions have been documented already in natural populations but are confined so far to landlocked, inland water habitats, perhaps because they impose more severe thermal fluctuations and limitations to migration and dispersal. The severity and recurrence of these dysfunctions with further climate change will depend both on the magnitude, speed and pattern of change and on how much (or how fast) physiological and behavioural traits can evolve to match the new conditions imposed by the climate, which is largely unknown. In this regard, compelling evidence is shown that numerous traits, including the sex determination system, are capable of rapid evolution and could mitigate the negative effects of temperature increases on population viability in atherinopsids.
The allergy epidemic: can helminths supply the antidote?
Authors: Robinson K. , Bradley J. E.
Published: October 2010

Cite this as: K. Robinson and J. E. Bradley, Clinical & Experimental Allergy, 2010 (40) 1586–1589.
Developments in the field of allergy in 2009 through the eyes of Clinical and Experimental Allergy
Authors: Chu H. W. , Lloyd C. M. , Karmaus W. , Maestrelli P. , Mason P. , Salcedo G. , Thaikoottathil J. , Wardlaw A. J.
Published: October 2010

In 2009 the journal published in the region of 200 papers including reviews, editorials, opinion pieces and original papers that ran the full gamut of allergic disease. It is instructive to take stock of this output to determine patterns of interest and where the cutting edge lies. We have surveyed the field of allergic disease as seen through the pages of Clinical and Experimental Allergy (CEA) highlighting trends, emphasizing notable observations and placing discoveries in the context of other key papers published during the year. The review is divided into similar sections as the journal. In the field of Asthma and Rhinitis CEA has contributed significantly to the debate about asthma phenotypes and expressed opinions about the cause of intrinsic asthma. It has also added its halfpennyworth to the hunt for meaningful biomarkers. In Mechanisms the considerable interest in T cell subsets including Th17 and T regulatory cells continues apace and the discipline of Epidemiology continues to invoke a steady stream of papers on risk factors for asthma with investigators still trying to explain the post‐second world war epidemic of allergic disease. Experimental Models continue to make important contributions to our understanding of pathogenesis of allergic disease and in the Clinical Allergy section various angles on immunotherapy are explored. New allergens continue to be described in the allergens section to make those allergen chips even more complicated. A rich and vibrant year helpfully summarized by some of our associate editors.

Cite this as: H. W. Chu, C. M. Lloyd, W. Karmaus, P. Maestrelli, P. Mason, G. Salcedo, J. Thaikoottathil and A. J. Wardlaw, Clinical & Experimental Allergy, 2010 (40) 1611–1631.
Natural killer cells in human autoimmune diseases
Authors: Schleinitz Nicolas , Vély Frédéric , Harlé Jean‐Robert , Vivier Eric
Published: October 2010

Natural killer (NK) cells have been implicated in tumour surveillance and in the early control of several microbial infections. In autoimmune disease their involvement in these processes has been evaluated in animal models, with conflicting results. Both a disease‐controlling and a disease‐promoting role have been suggested. In human autoimmune disease only a few studies, mainly descriptive, have demonstrated qualitative and quantitative modification of NK cells. These changes were observed on blood‐ or tissue‐infiltrating NK cells. Taken together with our expanding knowledge of the genetical variability of NK cell receptors and NK cell physiology, these findings pave the way for the dissection of the role of NK cells in human autoimmune diseases. NK cells may be directly involved in these diseases through their potential autoreactivity or through their interaction with dendritic cells, macrophages or T lymphocytes, thereby inducing excessive inflammation or favouring the adaptive autoimmune response. Thus, NK cells may be implicated in the onset, the maintenance or the progression of autoimmune diseases. Some reports also suggest the involvement of NK cells in the treatment of human autoimmune disease by biotherapies. All these observations suggest that NK cells are involved in the complex processes of autoimmune diseases. Nevertheless, further careful analysis of NK cells at different steps of these diseases, in different tissues and through combined genetical and functional studies will contribute to a better understanding of their role in autoimmune diseases. This knowledge might allow the development of new therapeutic strategies based on NK cells for the treatment of some autoimmune diseases.
The effects of plant pathogens on tree recruitment in the Western Amazon under a projected future climate: a dynamical systems analysis
Authors: Thompson Sally , Alvarez‐Loayza Patricia , Terborgh John , Katul Gabriel
Published: October 2010

1. Climate change predictions in the Amazon have largely focused on carbon–water relations, while the impacts of increased air temperature and reduced precipitation on host–pathogen relationships have not been extensively explored. These relationships are known to affect recruitment of many Amazonian plant species.

2. Host–pathogen relationships are well suited to a dynamical analysis of the effects of climate change due to the direct linkages between pathogen behaviour and abiotic factors such as temperature and rainfall.

3. Seedlings of the palm Iriartea deltoidea experience significant mortality due to infection by the fungus Diplodia mutila. This host–pathogen interaction was examined by combining a semi‐analytical model with field data illustrating the temperature sensitivity of D. mutila reproductive rates and I. deltoidea seedling mortality in response to infection.

4. The data–model combination shows that projected climatic shifts in rainfall and temperature for the Amazon region will tend to reduce recruitment by altering pathogen activity and reducing palm fecundity. The magnitude of the reduction is sensitive to the details of the epidemiology of the D. mutila–I. deltoidea host–pathogen system, and ranges from 10% to 56% under plausible scenarios.

5. Although considerable uncertainty remains, the proposed model provides a blueprint for research on one aspect of ecosystem change in future climate models.

6.
Synthesis. The study illustrates the potential for ecosystem responses to climate change, which can be investigated through tractable models simple enough to assimilate into climate modelling frameworks. Particular environmental sensitivities in fungal dynamics are identified. The implications of combined plant physiological stress and enhanced pathogenic activity under future climate scenarios are highlighted as critical issues for projecting forest response.
Patients with clinically node negative extremity Merkel cell carcinoma: The importance of identifying and treating patients with microscopic nodal metastases
Authors: Veness Michael , Howle Julie
Published: October 2010

Objectives:  To review the management of patients with Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) of the distal arm or leg.

Methods:  The files of 27 patients with clinically node‐negative extremity‐located MCC treated between 1993 and 2007 at Westmead Hospital, Sydney, were reviewed.

Results:  The median age was 79 (range 48–91 years); there were 16 women and 11 men. The median follow up was 36 months. Eighteen patients had a below knee primary and nine had a below elbow primary. None had previous treatment of draining nodes. Most (26/27) underwent excision and 10 of the 27 received adjuvant local radiotherapy. The median lesion size was 19 mm (range 10–30 mm). In total 55% relapsed with most occurrences in the ipsilateral nodes of the axilla or groin. Median time to relapse was 5.5 months. Overall survival at two and five years was 68% and 57%, respectively.

Conclusions:  Patients with extremity MCC experience a high rate of nodal relapse. Recently published evidence supports a survival benefit to identifying patients with microscopic nodal metastases. As en bloc primary and nodal treatment is not possible, and elective nodal treatment is likely to over‐treat many patients, sentinel lymph node biopsy is a useful adjunct to current investigations and should be recommended.
Population‐based determinants of radical prostatectomy surgical margin positivity
Authors: Williams Stephen B. , D’Amico Anthony V. , Weinberg Aaron C. , Gu Xiangmei , Lipsitz Stuart R. , Hu Jim C.
Published: October 2010

Study Type – Prognosis (cohort) Level of Evidence 2b

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

Prior population and single‐centre studies have assessed incidence of positive surgical margins. The current study derived population‐based positive surgical margin cut‐offs in order to help identify underperforming surgeons who may benefit from further courses and/or self study to improve outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

• To characterize factors associated with positive surgical margins (PSMs) and derive population‐based PSM cutoffs to evaluate surgeon performance in radical prostatectomy (RP).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

• SEER‐Medicare data were used to identify 4247 men diagnosed with prostate cancer during 2004–2005 who underwent RP up to 2006.

• We performed logistic regression to assess the impact of tumour characteristics, surgeon volume and surgical approach on the likelihood of PSMs for pT2 and PT3a disease.

• Moreover, we derived 25th and 10th percentile cutoffs from binomial distribution equations.

RESULTS

• Overall, 19.4% of men experienced PSMs with a pT2 vs pT3a PSM rate of 14.9% vs 42% (P < 0.001). Extrapolating from our population‐based results, a surgeon incurring more than three PSMs in 10 cases of pT2 disease performed below the 25th percentile.

• There was a trend for fewer PSMs with minimally invasive vs open RP (17.4% vs 20.1%, P= 0.086), and the PSM rate also decreased over the study period from 21.3% in 2004 to 16.6% in 2006 (P= 0.028) with significant geographic variation (P < 0.001).

• In adjusted analyses, temporal and geographic variation in PSM persisted, and men with high (odds ratio 3.68, 95% CI 2.82–4.81) and intermediate (odds ratio 2.52, 95% CI 2.03–3.13) vs low‐risk disease were at greater odds to experience PSMs. Notably, neither surgical approach nor surgeon volume was significantly associated with PSMs.

CONCLUSION

• Our population‐based PSM benchmarks allow identification of under‐performing outliers who may seek courses or video self‐study to improve outcomes. There was significant temporal and geographic variation in PSMs but neither surgeon volume nor surgical approach was associated with PSMs.
High‐fat diet associated with obesity induces impairment of mouse corpus cavernosum responses
Authors: Toque Haroldo A. , da Silva Fábio H. , Calixto Marina C. , Lintomen Letícia , Schenka André A. , Saad Mario J. , Zanesco Angelina , Antunes Edson
Published: October 2010

Study Type – Aetiology (case control)  Level of Evidence 3b

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

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is defined as the persistent inability to achieve and/or maintain an erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual performance. ED has been found in patients with cardiovascular and endocrine‐metabolic diseases. Overweight, obesity and weight gain have been shown to be independent risk factors for the development of ED. Clinical studies show that ED should be considered an early clinical manifestation of risk factors for cardiovascular events, including acute myocardial infarction. However, the mechanisms that explains ED associated with obesity are yet to be fully elucidated.

Using a mice model of high‐fat diet associated with obesity, we have demonstrated that ED is the result of impaired endothelial and nitrergic cavernosal relaxations along with increased contractile responses, favouring penile detumescence.

OBJECTIVE

Obesity induced by high‐fat diet (HFD) is one of the most important risk factor for the development of erectile dysfunction (ED) in man. This study aimed to characterize the ED resulting from obesity associated with HFD in mice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

C57BL/6 mice fed for 10 weeks with either HFD to induce obesity or a standard‐chow diet (SD) were used. Corpus cavernosum was surgically dissected free, and strips were mounted in 10‐mL organ baths containing Krebs solution.

Functional responses to endothelium‐dependent and ‐independent agents, as well as to electrical‐field stimulation were measured in the cavernosal tissue. Levels of cGMP in erectile tissue were detected by enzyme immunoassay assay.

RESULTS

The potency (pEC50) and maximal response (Emax) to acetylcholine were significantly lower in the HFD group compared with the SD group. A marked decrease in the non‐adrenergic non‐cholinergic (nitrergic) cavernosal relaxations in the HFD group was also detected. There were no significant differences between the SD and HFD groups for the cavernosal relaxations in response to sodium nitroprusside.

The contractile responses elicited by the α1‐adrenoceptor agonist phenylephrine were significantly greater in the HFD group compared with the SD group.

Similarly, the electrical‐field stimulation (2–8 Hz)‐induced adrenergic contractions were markedly greater in HFD mice. The pEC50for endothelin‐1 was about 6.9‐fold higher in the HFD compared with SD group.

The basal cGMP content was 47% lower in HFD strips compared with SD group. There were no morphological alterations in erectile tissue of HFD group compared with SD mice.

CONCLUSION

Obesity associated with HFD favours ED as result of impaired endothelial and nitrergic cavernosal relaxations along with increased contractile responses to adrenergic stimulation and endothelin‐1 receptor activation.
Immunohistochemical study of the cavernous nerves in the periprostatic region
Authors: Costello Anthony J. , Dowdle Benjamin W. , Namdarian Benjamin , Pedersen John , Murphy Declan G.
Published: October 2010

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

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

The anatomy of the periprostatic tissues, in particular the fascial layers and neurovascular structures, remain a somewhat enigmatic and controversial area. Despite the considerable advances made in this area since the original dissections of Walsh and Donker almost thirty years ago, the precise location and function of these structures remains uncertain. The topic is of tremendous importance as we continue to refine surgical techniques to allow men the maximum opportunity to recover erectile function following radical prostatectomy. Yet many of these surgical refinements are not based on definitive knowledge of the relevant anatomy and clearly more knowledge is required.

For the first time, we have not just characterized the quantitative nature of the periprostatic nerves, but we also offer some insight into the likely functional nature of these nerves by selectively staining the sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves using immunohistochemical methods.

OBJECTIVE

• To characterize the immunohistochemical nature of sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves surrounding the prostate.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

• Using serial sectioning, four male cadavers were investigated using a combination of haematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemistry. Both the sympathetic and parasympathetic contributions to the autonomic nervous system in the periprostatic region were assessed by staining analysis, the number of nerves fibres was quantified, their position relative to the prostate recorded and their function inferred.

• The fascial architecture of the neurovascular bundle (NVB) was also quantified.

RESULTS

• Approximately 27.8% of all nerve fibres identified were found on the anterior half of the prostate, above the 3 to 9 o’clock level. At the base, mid, and apex of prostate, parasympathetic fibres accounted for 4%, 5% and 6.8% of the nerves located on the anterolateral aspect of the prostate, respectively.

• Sympathetic nerves found above the 3 to 9 o’clock level represented ≈15% of the total number of nerves.

• When staining the periprostatic fascia, the classical NVB exhibited a distinct fascial architecture with three separate compartments.

CONCLUSIONS

• A tiny minority of nerves in the anterior periprostatic region are functionally significant parasympathetic nerves.

• There is little anatomical evidence to support higher incisions in the lateral prostatic fascia to spare cavernous nerve fibres, although such approaches may reduce the risk of traction injury on the more posterolaterally located NVB.

• The presence of distinct fascial compartments in the NVB is also confirmed.
The interaction of body mass index and race in predicting biochemical failure after radical prostatectomy
Authors: Lee Daniel J. , Ritch Chad , Desai Manisha , Benson Mitchell C. , McKiernan James M.
Published: October 2010

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

OBJECTIVE

• To examine the interaction of body mass index (BMI) and race in predicting biochemical failure (BCF) after radical prostatectomy (RP). The relative contribution of BMI and race to BCF after RP has not been well characterized.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

• From 1988 to 2008, 969 white and black men underwent RP and BMI data were available. In all, 168 (17.3%) were black and 801 (82.7%) were white men.

• BCF was defined as a post‐surgery PSA level ≥0.2 ng/mL on ≥2 measurements. Cox regression methods were used to model the relationship between race, BMI and BCF.

RESULTS

• The 969 men had a mean age of 59.8 ± 7.2 years. There was no significant difference in BMI between black and white men (P= 0.32).

• The 5‐year disease‐free survival for black obese men was the lowest at 48%, compared with non‐obese black (73%), obese white (82%) and non‐obese white men (83%, P < 0.001).

• BMI did not have a significant impact on BCF. In a multivariate analysis, black race remained an independent predictor of BCF [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.76, P= 0.01].

• BMI does not affect the risk of BCF in black men differently than white men (P value for interaction 0.93).

CONCLUSIONS

• Black race is an independent predictor of biochemical failure after adjusting for pathological factors. The impact of BMI on BCF did not vary among different races.

• These findings suggest that elevated BMI does not affect the BCF rates of black men more than in other races, and that other factors may influence the racial variability in disease‐free survival and BCF risk.
Personality and Politics: Introduction to the Special Issue
Authors: Duncan Lauren E. , Peterson Bill E. , Zurbriggen Eileen L.
Published: October 2010

ABSTRACT
This special issue of Journal of Personality brings together 10 original articles addressing the intersection of personality and politics. Articles build on classic traditions in political psychology by presenting both idiographic and nomothetic work on the motivational, cognitive, ideological, attitudinal, and identity correlates of many different aspects of political behavior. This work is used to understand political activism and leadership as well as everyday political behavior. We hope this collection of articles will inspire our readers to explore new investigations in personality and political psychology.