bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phytomedicinal Role of Pithecellobium dulce against CCl4‐mediated Hepatic Oxidative Impairments and Necrotic Cell Death
Authors: Manna Prasenjit , Bhattacharyya Sudip , Das Joydeep , Ghosh Jyotirmoy , Sil Parames C.
Published: June 2010

Present study investigates the beneficial role of the aqueous extract of the fruits of Pithecellobium dulce (AEPD) against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)‐induced hepatic injury using a murine model. AEPD has been found to possess free radical (DPPH, hydroxyl and superoxide) scavenging activity in cell‐free system. CCl4 exposure increased the activities of various serum maker enzymes and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. In line with these findings, we also observed that CCl4 intoxication increased the lipid peroxidation and protein carbonylation accompanied by decreased intracellular antioxidant defense, activity of cytochrome P450 and CYP2E1 expression. DNA fragmentation and flow cytometric analyses revealed that CCl4 exposure caused hepatic cell death mainly via the necrotic pathway. Treatment with AEPD both pre‐ and post‐toxin exposure protected the organ from CCl4‐induced hepatic damage. Histological findings also support our results. A well‐known antioxidant vitamin C was included in this study to compare the antioxidant potency of AEPD. Combining all, results suggest that AEPD protects murine liver against CCl4‐induced oxidative impairments probably via its antioxidative property.
Effect of bitter crab disease on rebuilding in Alaska Tanner crab stocks
Authors: Siddeek M. Shareef M. , Zheng Jie , Morado Joseph F. , Kruse Gordon H. , Bechtol William R.
Published: June 2010

Siddeek, M. S. M., Zheng, J., Morado, J. F., Kruse, G. H., and Bechtol, W. R. 2010. Effect of bitter crab disease on rebuilding in Alaska Tanner crab stocks. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 67: 2027–2032. Eastern Bering Sea (EBS) Tanner crab Chionoecetes bairdi stocks were declared overfished in 1996 and were closed to commercial fishing between 1997 and 2004. Subsequent management was based on a rebuilding plan using criteria from the previous US federal fisheries management plan (FMP). Under the revised 2008 FMP, reference points changed for mature biomass (male only vs. total), as well as catch levels (total vs. retained), resulting in different rebuilding criteria. We performed a rebuilding analysis using age-, sex-, and size-structured simulations incorporating recent changes in overfishing definitions. Specifically, we compared the potential effect of additional mortality that bitter crab disease could have on rebuilding performance of lightly infected EBS and heavily infected southeast Alaska Tanner crab stocks. The results suggest that under the assumed recruitment scenario, the new control rules are adequate to rebuild the depleted lightly infected EBS stock, but not the heavily infected southeast Alaska stock.
Migrations and structure of the species range in ridge-scaled rattail Macrourus carinatus (Southwest Atlantic) and their application to fisheries management
Authors: Laptikhovsky Vladimir
Published: June 2010

Laptikhovsky, V. 2011. Migrations and structure of the species range in ridge-scaled rattail Macrourus carinatus (Southwest Atlantic) and their application to fisheries management. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 68: 309–318. The biology, distribution and abundance of the ridge-scaled rattail (Macrourus carinatus) was studied in four seasonal bottom-trawl surveys in 2006–2009 using biological material collected on board different research and commercial fishing vessels. The species was found to exhibit ontogenetic and seasonal migrations. Upon switching to the demersal lifestyle, juveniles gradually move north with the Falkland Current. Adults return to the spawning areas (50–54°S) and remain there. They move seasonally along the slope from 54°S to 50°S between 500 m and 900 m, with males and females moving separately. The northernmost aggregations (at 50–51°S) occur in autumn, during the major spawning event. In winter, fish migrate south. During spring and summer the entire population gradually shifts north with ongoing minor off-season spawning. Females, which are the larger sex, tend to stay shallower than males. Such a sex-related migratory behaviour should be taken into account when the existence or absence of Heincke's law is considered for a particular species. A complicated migratory pattern should also be accounted for in fishery management.
The ubiquitin-proteasome pathway and synaptic plasticity
Authors: Hegde Ashok N.
Published: June 2010

Proteolysis by the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway (UPP) has emerged as a new molecular mechanism that controls wide-ranging functions in the nervous system, including fine-tuning of synaptic connections during development and synaptic plasticity in the adult organism. In the UPP, attachment of a small protein, ubiquitin, tags the substrates for degradation by a multisubunit complex called the proteasome. Linkage of ubiquitin to protein substrates is highly specific and occurs through a series of well-orchestrated enzymatic steps. The UPP regulates neurotransmitter receptors, protein kinases, synaptic proteins, transcription factors, and other molecules critical for synaptic plasticity. Accumulating evidence indicates that the operation of the UPP in neurons is not homogeneous and is subject to tightly managed local regulation in different neuronal subcompartments. Investigations on both invertebrate and vertebrate model systems have revealed local roles for enzymes that attach ubiquitin to substrate proteins, as well as for enzymes that remove ubiquitin from substrates. The proteasome also has been shown to possess disparate functions in different parts of the neuron. Here I give a broad overview of the role of the UPP in synaptic plasticity and highlight the local roles and regulation of the proteolytic pathway in neurons.
Functional Analysis of the Arabidopsis PAL Gene Family in Plant Growth, Development, and Response to Environmental Stress
Authors: Huang Junli , Gu Min , Lai Zhibing , Fan Baofang , Shi Kai , Zhou Yan-Hong , Yu Jing-Quan , Chen Zhixiang
Published: June 2010

Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) catalyzes the first step of the phenylpropanoid pathway, which produces precursors to a variety of important secondary metabolites. Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) contains four PAL genes (PAL1–PAL4), but there has been no genetic analysis to assess the biological functions of the entire gene family. Here, we report the generation and analysis of combined mutations for the four Arabidopsis PAL genes. Contrary to a previous report, we found that three independent pal1 pal2 double mutants were fertile and generated yellow seeds due to the lack of condensed tannin pigments in the seed coat. The pal1 pal2 double mutants were also deficient in anthocyanin pigments in various plant tissues, which accumulate in wild-type plants under stress conditions. Thus, PAL1 and PAL2 have a redundant role in flavonoid biosynthesis. Furthermore, the pal1 pal2 double mutants were more sensitive to ultraviolet-B light but more tolerant to drought than wild-type plants. We have also generated two independent pal1 pal2 pal3 pal4 quadruple knockout mutants, which are stunted and sterile. The quadruple knockout mutants still contained about 10% of the wild-type PAL activity, which might result from one or more leaky pal mutant genes or from other unknown PAL genes. The quadruple mutants also accumulated substantially reduced levels of salicylic acid and displayed increased susceptibility to a virulent strain of the bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringae. These results provide further evidence for both distinct and overlapping roles of the Arabidopsis PAL genes in plant growth, development, and responses to environmental stresses.
A SQUAMOSA MADS Box Gene Involved in the Regulation of Anthocyanin Accumulation in Bilberry Fruits
Authors: Jaakola Laura , Poole Mervin , Jones Matthew O. , Kämäräinen-Karppinen Terttu , Koskimäki Janne J. , Hohtola Anja , Häggman Hely , Fraser Paul D. , Manning Kenneth , King Graham J. , Thomson Helen , Seymour Graham B.
Published: June 2010

Anthocyanins are important health-promoting phytochemicals that are abundant in many fleshy fruits. Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) is one of the best sources of these compounds. Here, we report on the expression pattern and functional analysis of a SQUAMOSA-class MADS box transcription factor, VmTDR4, associated with anthocyanin biosynthesis in bilberry. Levels of VmTDR4 expression were spatially and temporally linked with color development and anthocyanin-related gene expression. Virus-induced gene silencing was used to suppress VmTDR4 expression in bilberry, resulting in substantial reduction in anthocyanin levels in fully ripe fruits. Chalcone synthase was used as a positive control in the virus-induced gene silencing experiments. Additionally, in sectors of fruit tissue in which the expression of the VmTDR4 gene was silenced, the expression of R2R3 MYB family transcription factors related to the biosynthesis of flavonoids was also altered. We conclude that VmTDR4 plays an important role in the accumulation of anthocyanins during normal ripening in bilberry, probably through direct or indirect control of transcription factors belonging to the R2R3 MYB family.
Winecon: An Evaluation
Authors: MacDonald Ziggy , Shields Michael A.
Published: June 2010

This paper presents the results of an evaluation of the WinEcon computer‐based learning (CBL) software released into the academic community in September 1995. The focus of the paper is the impact of continued and directed WinEcon use on students’ learning as measured by their examination results. The subjects of the study were the 240 Leicester University students enrolled on the 1995/96 introductory microeconomics course who were categorised by their use of WinEcon. Using traditional regression and decomposition techniques, we show that directed use of WinEcon can enhance exam performance by a small but significant proportion, enough to improve the pass rate of the overall course.
The US Antitrust System and Recent Trends in Antitrust Enforcement
Authors: Lin Ping , Raj Baldev , Sandfort Michael , Slottje Daniel
Published: June 2010

This paper provides a survey of recent research on the US antitrust system. First we provide an overview of the US antitrust system, describing the roles of the US Department of Justice, the Federal Trade Commission and case law. Second, we provide a new econometric trend analysis on the enforcement of US antitrust law, showing that (1) enforcement demonstrates some trend behavior, as well as comovement with business cycles; (2) the time series of antitrust cases demonstrates two distinct episodes, which we characterize as ‘pre‐deregulation’ and ‘post‐deregulation;’ (3) the time series of government antitrust filings leads the time series of private antitrust filings. Finally, we describe recent economic research relevant to the area of antitrust and the impact of this research on US antitrust policy.
Scarce or Abundant? The Economics of Natural Resource Availability
Authors: Neumayer Eric
Published: June 2010

Most natural resources that are used in production are non‐renewable. When they become depleted they are lost for future use. Does it follow that the limited availability of natural resources will at some time in the future constrain economic growth as many environmentalists believe? While classical economists have shared the belief in limits to growth, the distinctive feature of modern neoclassical economics is its optimism about the availability of natural resources. This survey suggests that resource optimism can be summarised in four propositions. First, a rise in the price of a resource leads to a substitution of this resource with another more abundant resource and to a substitution of products that are intensive in this resource. Second, a rise in the price of a resource leads to increased recycling of the resource and to the exploration and extraction of lower quality ores. Third, man‐made capital can substitute for natural resources. Fourth, technical progress increases the efficiency of resource use and makes extraction of lower quality ores economical. In a critical analysis of these four propositions it is shown that while the conjecture that natural resources will never constrain future economic growth is logically conceivable, we do not and indeed cannot know whether it will be possible in practice to overcome any resource constraint. JEL Classification: Q20, Q30, Q40
Species composition, abundance and habitat association of rodents and insectivores from Chilalo–Galama Mountain range, Arsi, Ethiopia
Authors: Kasso Mohammed , Bekele Afework , Hemson Graham
Published: June 2010

A study on the ecology of rodents and insectivores on Mount Chilalo and the Galama Mountain range was conducted during August, 2007–April, 2008. Study grids were marked in nine randomly selected habitats. Sherman live traps and snap traps were used to capture the small mammals. A total of 2525 (including recaptures) individual rodents and insectivores were captured in 5488 (Sherman) and 1590 (snap) trap‐nights. Among the live‐trapped animals, 2037 (96.2%) and 80 (3.8%) were rodents and insectivores, respectively, that comprised 17 species. These were as follows: Arvicanthis abyssinicus, Arvicanthis blicki, Arvicanthis dembeensis, Lophuromys flavopunctatus, Lophuromys melanonyx, Mastomys natalensis, Mus mahomet, Otomys typus, Rattus rattus, Stenocephalemys albipes, Stenocephalemys albocaudata, Stenocephalemys griseicauda, Crocidura glassi, Crocidura flavescens and Crocidura thalia. Tachyoryctes splendens and Hystrix cristata were sighted but not captured. Endemics to Ethiopia constituted 60% of the trapped small mammals. Lophuromys flavopunctatus was the most abundant and widely distributed rodent species, while M. mahomet was the least. The altitudes between 3301 and 3400 m asl had the highest species composition and abundance although it is second in number of catches per trap‐nights. The majority of rodents and insectivores were associated with montane forest habitat, whereas the least were in the shrubland. Anthropogenic effects were witnessed affecting the distribution of small mammals.
The effect of pilot balloon design on estimation of safe tracheal tube cuff pressure
Authors: Janossy K. M. , Pullen J. , Young D. , Bell G.
Published: June 2010

We studied the effect of pilot balloon design on the ability of experienced anaesthetists to assess and inflate tracheal tube cuffs to safe pressures. A model trachea was designed, incorporating a degree of compliance and an air leak, to evaluate six different pilot balloons grafted onto identical tracheal tubes. Pilot balloons were inflated to one of four pressures and anaesthetists were asked to estimate whether the pressure was acceptable, too low or too high. Anaesthetists were then asked to inflate the cuff of each tube. Overall, 103 (42.9%) of anaesthetists’ assessments of tracheal tube cuff pressures were correct (33% correct would be expected by chance, p = 0.002). Pressures generated by anaesthetists inflating tracheal tube cuffs were very variable. Median (IQR [range]) pressures for each pilot balloon ranged from 29 (17–43 [9–56]) cmH2O to 74 (49–114 [4–140]) cmH2O (p < 0.001). The design of the pilot balloon significantly affects anaesthetists’ ability to inflate tracheal tube cuffs to safe pressures.
Herbivory in canopy gaps created by a typhoon varies by understory plant leaf phenology
Authors: TAKAFUMI HINO , KAWASE SATORU , NAKAMURA MASAHIRO , HIURA TSUTOM
Published: June 2010

1. Availabilities of light and soil nitrogen for understory plants vary by extent of canopy gap formation through typhoon disturbance. We predicted that variation in resource availability and herbivore abundance in canopy gaps would affect herbivory through variation in leaf traits among plant species. We studied six understory species that expand their leaves before or after canopy closure in deciduous forests. We measured the availabilities of light, soil nitrogen, soil water content, and herbivore abundance in 20 canopy gaps (28.3–607.6 m2) formed by a typhoon and in four undisturbed stands. We also measured leaf traits and herbivory on understory plants.

2. The availabilities of light and soil nitrogen increased with increasing gap size. However, soil water content did not. The abundance of herbivorous insects (such as Lepidoptera and Orthoptera) increased with increasing gap size.

3. Concentrations of condensed tannins, total phenolics, and nitrogen in leaves and the leaf mass per area increased in late leaf expansion species with increasing gap size, whereas none of the leaf traits varied by gap size in early leaf expansion species.

4. Herbivory increased on early leaf expansion species with increasing gap size, but decreased on late leaf expansion species. In these late leaf expansion species, total phenolics and C : N ratio had negative relationships with herbivory.

5. These results suggested that after typhoon disturbance, increased herbivory on early leaf expansion species can be explained by increased herbivore abundance, whereas decreased herbivory on late leaf expansion species can be explained by variation in leaf traits.
Building our global family – achieving treatment for all
Authors: SKINNER M. W.
Published: June 2010

Summary.  Building our global family by reaching out to women, children and youth and those in sub‐Saharan Africa to achieve Treatment for All. The World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH) has committed to recognizing and incorporating the critical and important challenges that are faced by women with bleeding disorders within our global family. The next crucial steps include the development of outreach and registry programmes which can be adapted globally to accelerate the identification of such women, and to educate and guide them to the appropriate clinical care setting. Equally important, awareness must be raised within the broader medical community where women would typically first present with clinical symptoms. Family practitioners, nurse‐midwives, obstetricians, gynaecologists and community health clinics will increasingly be strategic and central to WFH outreach efforts, in addition to serving as new care partners essential to the multidisciplinary model of care. Adapting and implementing the WFH development model regionally within Africa is proving to be a successful approach both for the introduction as well as the development of sustainable national care programmes for patients with bleeding disorders. The targeted development of solid national programmes such as in South Africa, Senegal and Kenya has expanded the training capacity of the WFH, as well as providing key regional examples. Local medical professionals are now responsible for providing the training in many regional programmes. Children with bleeding disorders in low‐income countries are at great risk of dying young. WFH data demonstrate that among such patients, as the economic capacity of a country decreases so does the ratio of adults to children. The organization of care, training of a multi‐disciplinary healthcare team, and education of patients and their families lead to improved mortality independent of economic capacity or increased clotting factor concentrate availability. Additionally, through enhanced youth education, awareness and engagement, we will assure continuity within WFH national member organizations, build greater unity within our global family and capture the innovation and creativity of their ideas to improve Treatment for All.
The challenge of an ageing haemophilic population
Authors: DOLAN G.
Published: June 2010

Summary.  Life expectancy for haemophilia has increased significantly in many countries. This represents a major success of the improved safety of therapeutic materials to treat haemophilia and of improved quality of care. This improved longevity will generate a population of older individuals with haemophilia with complex medical problems associated with age and managing such clinical issues is likely to be challenging.
von Willebrand’s disease diagnosis and laboratory issues
Authors: CASTAMAN G. , MONTGOMERY R. R. , MESCHENGIESER S. S. , HABERICHTER S. L. , WOODS A. I. , LAZZARI M. A.
Published: June 2010

Summary.  In this paper, the recent developments in the diagnosis and laboratory issues of von Willebrand’s disease (VWD) are presented. Dr. Castaman reviews the functional tests available for the diagnosis of VWD and their pathophysiological significance, focusing on which tests are best used in the diagnosis and classification of VWD. Dr Montgomery reviews an emerging issue that is accelerated clearance of von Willebrand factor (VWF) occurring in some variants of VWD. This phenotype can be suspected by the presence of an increased ratio between the VWF propeptide and the VWF antigen. These patients have typically a robust, but short‐lived increase of FVIII and VWF after desmopressin. Dr Meschengieser reviews the determinants of bleeding after surgery in patients with VWD, emphasizing the role of bleeding history in predicting this risk.
Haemophilia A and von Willebrand’s disease
Authors: GOODEVE A. C. , ROSÉN S. , VERBRUGGEN B.
Published: June 2010

Summary.  Deficient or defective coagulation factor VIII (FVIII) and von Willebrand factor (VWF) can cause bleeding through congenital deficiency or acquired inhibitory antibodies. Recent studies on type 1 von Willebrand’s disease (VWD), the most common form of the disease, have begun to explain its pathogenesis. Missense mutations of varying penetrance throughout VWF are the predominant mutation type. Other mutation types also contribute while about one‐third of patients have no mutation identified. Enhanced clearance and intracellular retention contribute to pathogenic mechanisms. Chromogenic substrate (CS) methods to determine FVIII coagulant activity have several advantages over one‐stage methods, which include minimal influence by variable levels of plasma components, notably lupus anticoagulant. Direct proportionality between FVIII activity and FXa generation results in high resolution at all FVIII levels, rendering the CS method suitable for measuring both high and low levels of FVIII activity. FVIII inhibitors in patients with inherited or acquired haemophilia A present several challenges in their detection and accurate quantification. The Nijmegen method, a modification of the Bethesda assay is recommended for inhibitor analysis by the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis. Understanding potential confounding factors including heparin and residual FVIII in test plasma, plus optimal standardization can reduce assay coefficient of variation to 10–20%.These areas are all explored within this article.
Mild haemophilia: a disease with many faces and many unexpected pitfalls
Authors: PEERLINCK K. , JACQUEMIN M.
Published: June 2010

Summary.  Despite major advances in diagnosis and treatment, the management of patients with mild haemophilia (MH) remains a major challenge. Mild haemophilia is defined by factor levels between 0.05 and 0.40 IU mL−1. The bleeding associated with mild haemophilia is most frequently episodic, occurring during surgery or following trauma. Spontaneous bleeding is rare. Diagnosis is sometimes delayed because of insensitivity of screening clotting assays or discrepancies in factor VIII activity as measured by different assays. The treatment of choice in mild haemophilia A is desmopressin, which typically induces a 2–6‐fold increase of factor VIII over baseline. However, desmopressin has its limitations in this setting such as the occurrence of tachyphylaxis and failure to respond in an undetermined proportion of patients. Factors underlying poor biological response or magnitude of response to desmopressin are incompletely understood. Inhibitor development in mild haemophilia is particularly distressing. This complication arises at an older age in this patient group because of infrequent need for factor VIII replacement. Inhibitors in mild haemophilia patients often cross‐react with endogenous factor VIII resulting in severe spontaneous bleeding frequently in a postoperative setting. Intensive perioperative use of factor VIII and some specific mutations induce a particularly high risk for inhibitor development, but risk factors are incompletely understood. For reasons of the older age of the patients, treatment of bleeding with bypassing agents may cause major thrombotic complications. Data on therapeutic options for inhibitor eradication in patients with mild haemophilia are particularly scarce. With increased life‐expectancy for all haemophilia patients, the group of elderly patients with mild haemophilia requiring major surgery will further increase. Prevention of inhibitors, particularly in this patient group, should be a major topic of interest in both clinic and research.
Management of arthrofibrosis in haemophilic arthropathy
Authors: SOLIMENO L. , GODDARD N. , PASTA G. , MOHANTY S. , MORTAZAVI S. , PACHECO L. , SOHAIL T. , LUCK J.
Published: June 2010

Summary.  Hemophilic arthropathy is one of the conditions most associated with arthrofibrosis and loss of range of motion. Progressive fibrosis of synovium leads to pain, spasm, and shortening of muscles, resulting in joint contractures and restriction of joint motion. It is common to see even young children with severe loss of motion of elbows, knees and ankles. Treatment should be primarily by physiotherapy, splintage, and corrective devices. The late or severe cases may require surgical correction in the form of soft‐tissue procedures, osteotomy and especially joint replacement
Comprehensive elements of a physiotherapy exercise programme in haemophilia – a global perspective
Authors: BLAMEY G. , FORSYTH A. , ZOURIKIAN N. , SHORT L. , JANKOVIC N. , DE KLEIJN P. , FLANNERY T.
Published: June 2010

Summary.  Exercise programmes for people with haemophilia are usually designed and implemented to help manage the recovery after a haemarthrosis or a muscle bleed, or as a tool to help prevent bleeding episodes from occurring. In this article, we have identified individual components of exercise that are often applied as separate entities, but may also need to be implemented in concert for optimized impact. Although it may be necessary on occasion to bias an exercise programme towards one component over the others, it is important to recognize that the various elements of exercise are not mutually exclusive. Decreased flexibility, strength and proprioception, will result in an impairment of balance and a loss of function. Programme design should whenever possible be guided by proven methodology in terms of how each component is incorporated, and more specifically how long to perform the exercise for and how many repetitions should be performed. We recognize, however, that this is not always possible and that there is significant value in drawing from the experience of clinicians with specialized training in the management of haemophilia. In this study, both perspectives are presented, providing reference‐based reviews of the mechanics of the various elements of exercise as well as the expert opinions of the authors. Research that has been completed using patients with conditions other than haemophilia may or may not have a direct application with the bleeding disorders population, but the programme design based on principles of tissue healing in addition to disease specific knowledge should be encouraged.
Women and bleeding disorders
Authors: JAMES A. H.
Published: June 2010

Summary.  While women are rarely affected by haemophilia, they are equally as likely as men to have other bleeding disorders. Menorrhagia, or heavy menstrual bleeding, is the most common symptom that they experience. Not only is menorrhagia more prevalent among women with bleeding disorders, but bleeding disorders are more prevalent among women with menorrhagia. Although menorrhagia is the most common reproductive tract manifestation of a bleeding disorder, it is not the only manifestation. Women with bleeding disorders appear to be at an increased risk of developing haemorrhagic ovarian cysts and possibly endometriosis. Women suspected of having a bleeding disorder or being a carrier of haemophilia should be offered diagnostic testing before getting pregnant to allow for appropriate preconception counselling and pregnancy management. During pregnancy, women with bleeding disorders may be at an increased risk of bleeding complications. At the time of childbirth, women with bleeding disorders appear to be more likely to experience postpartum haemorrhage, particularly delayed or secondary postpartum haemorrhage. As women with bleeding disorders grow older, they may be more likely to manifest gynaecological conditions which present with bleeding. Women with bleeding disorders are more likely to undergo a hysterectomy and are more likely to have the operation at a younger age. While women with bleeding disorders are at risk for the same obstetrical and gynaecological problems that affect all women, women with bleeding disorders are disproportionately affected by conditions that manifest with bleeding. Optimal management involves the combined expertise of haemostasis experts and obstetrician‐gynaecologists.
Variant Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease
Authors: IRONSIDE J. W.
Published: June 2010

Summary.  Variant Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease (CJD) is an emerging form of human prion disease caused by oral exposure to the bovine spongiform encephalopathy agent. Most cases have occurred in the UK, but smaller numbers of cases have been identified in 10 other countries worldwide. All confirmed cases belong to a single genetic subgroup defined by methionine homozygosity at codon 129 in the prion protein gene. Variant CJD has a widespread distribution of infectivity in the body, involving lymphoid tissues during at least the latter part of the incubation period. This is unlike other forms of human prion disease, and raised concerns that the transmissible agent might also be present in blood. To date, four probable cases of variant CJD infection have been identified following transfusion of packed red blood cells from asymptomatic donors who subsequently died from variant CJD. Recently, one case of likely transmission of variant CJD infection by UK factor VIII (FVIII) concentrates has been reported in an elderly haemophilic patient in the UK, who had been treated with FVIII produced from pooled plasma to which a donor who subsequently died from variant CJD had contributed. The recipient showed no signs or symptoms of variant CJD during life, but evidence of variant CJD infection was detected in his spleen following a postmortem examination. Continued surveillance is required to investigate the prevalence of secondary variant CJD infection in other patients with bleeding disorders who have been treated with UK‐sourced pooled plasma products.
Prophylaxis in the haemophilia population
Authors: BLANCHETTE V. S.
Published: June 2010

Summary.  Prophylaxis is recommended as preventive therapy for young boys with severe haemophilia in countries where safe factor concentrates are available. This recommendation is supported by results from a randomized, controlled study that compared on‐demand therapy with full‐dose prophylaxis (Manco‐Johnson MJ, Abshire TC, Shapiro AD et al. N Engl J Med 2007;357:535). It is important to distinguish primary vs. secondary prophylaxis. Primary prophylaxis refers to preventive treatment started before the onset of joint damage, whereas secondary prophylaxis refers to treatment started after joint damage has occurred. Whereas the benefits of primary prophylaxis are well documented, data relating to secondary prophylaxis are limited, especially in the adolescent/adult haemophilia population. Failure of prophylaxis may relate to several variables, including: (i) underlying status of the joints; (ii) poor compliance; (iii) participation in high‐risk activities and (iv) unfavourable pharmacokinetics (PK), i.e., too rapid elimination of infused coagulation factors. There is evidence that the risk of joint bleeding in individuals with severe haemophilia A relates to time spent with factor levels < 1% (Collins PW, Blanchette VS, Fischer K et al. J Thromb Haemost 2009;7:413); this variable is strongly influenced by frequency of factor infusions and the individual’s PK profile. Key ongoing questions relating to prophylaxis include: (1) what is the optimal regimen for initiating primary prophylaxis; (2) role of prophylaxis in the adolescent/young adult haemophilia population and (3) role of prophylaxis in individuals with severe von Willebrand’s disease and other rare inherited coagulation disorders. The role of novel long‐acting factor concentrates for prophylaxis will also need to be evaluated.
Carry‐over effects reveal reproductive costs in a long‐distance migrant
Authors: Inger Richard , Harrison Xavier A. , Ruxton Graeme D. , Newton Jason , Colhoun Kendrew , Gudmundsson Gudmundur A. , McElwaine Graham , Pickford Matthew , Hodgson David , Bearhop Stuart
Published: June 2010

1. It has been known for some time that the consequences of ‘decisions’ made at one point in an animal’s life may not always be borne immediately. For example, numerous studies have demonstrated the trade‐off between current and future breeding success across multiple taxa.

2. It is becoming increasingly clear that such processes may also operate among seasons, such that the conditions experienced at one point in the annual cycle may have significant downstream impacts, or ‘carry‐over effects’, and this is particularly evident among migratory species. We might therefore predict that certain combinations of reproductive and migratory strategy could lead to profound carry‐over effects. However, the extent to which these phenomena might generate variation in fitness within a population is unclear.

3. Here, we investigate how winter habitat selection in a long‐distance migrant, with extended parental care (the Light‐bellied Brent goose) is influenced by parental status and how this has a counterintuitive effect on subsequent breeding success.

4. Dominant individuals and groups generally monopolize the best quality resources. In the case of geese, families are dominant; however, our findings highlight a hidden cost to raising a family. Stable isotope analysis demonstrates that later in the non‐breeding season, adults with families utilize lower quality resources than non‐breeders. This is probably caused by parents being constrained in habitat choice by the lower foraging efficiency of their juveniles. Consequently, parental adults end the winter in poorer condition than non‐breeders.

5. We further demonstrate that parents in one year are less likely than expected to breed again in the next year and suggest that this is caused by conditions during the non‐breeding period being carried over into the breeding season. In conclusion, we demonstrate previously hidden costs to raising a family, which are likely to be important in terms of life‐history evolution.
Phylogeny of magpie‐robins and shamas (Aves: Turdidae: Copsychus and Trichixos): implications for island biogeography in Southeast Asia
Authors: Lim Haw Chuan , Zou Fasheng , Taylor Sabrina S. , Marks Ben D. , Moyle Robert G. , Voelker Gary , Sheldon Frederick H.
Published: June 2010

Aim  Magpie‐robins and shamas are forest and woodland birds of south Asia. There are two genera: Trichixos for the monotypic T. pyrrhopygus, and Copsychus for other species. Two species are widespread, whereas the others are restricted to specific islands. Endemicity is highest in the Philippines. Using phylogenetic methods, we examined how this group came to its unusual distribution.

Location  Mainland Asia from India to southern China, and islands from Madagascar to the Philippines. Particular emphasis is placed on the Greater Sundas and Philippines.

Methods  The phylogeny was estimated from DNA sequences of 14 ingroup taxa representing all nine currently recognized Copsychus and Trichixos species. The entire mitochondrial ND2 gene and portions of nuclear myoglobin intron 2 (Myo2) and transforming growth factor beta 2 intron 5 (TGFβ2‐5) were sequenced for all but two species. The phylogeny was reconstructed using maximum likelihood and Bayesian methods. The timing of divergence events was estimated using a relaxed molecular clock approach, and ancestral areas were examined using stochastic modelling.

Results  The group comprises three main clades corresponding to ecological types: Trichixos, a primary‐forest specialist; Copsychus magpie‐robins, open‐woodland and coastal species; and Copsychus shamas, thick‐forest species. Trichixos appears to be sister to the magpie‐robins, rendering Copsychus polyphyletic. The dating of phylogenetic nodes was too ambiguous to provide substantial insight into specific geographical events responsible for divergence within the group. Some patterns are nevertheless clear. Copsychus shamas reached the Philippines, probably in two separate invasions, and split into endemic species. Copsychus malabaricus and C. saularis expanded widely in the Greater Sundas and mainland Southeast Asia without species‐level diversification.

Main conclusions  Magpie‐robins are excellent dispersers and have diversified into distinct species only on isolated oceanic islands. Trichixos, a poor disperser, is restricted to mature forests of the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra and Borneo. Copsychus shamas are intermediate in habitat preference and dispersal capabilities. Their endemism in the Philippines may be attributed to early colonization and specialization to interior forests. In the Greater Sundas, C. malabaricus and C. saularis populations split and came together on Borneo to form two separate subspecies (of each species), which now hybridize.
Predicting species distributions from checklist data using site‐occupancy models
Authors: Kéry Marc , Gardner Beth , Monnerat Christian
Published: June 2010

Aim (1) To increase awareness of the challenges induced by imperfect detection, which is a fundamental issue in species distribution modelling; (2) to emphasize the value of replicate observations for species distribution modelling; and (3) to show how ‘cheap’ checklist data in faunal/floral databases may be used for the rigorous modelling of distributions by site‐occupancy models.

Location Switzerland.

Methods We used checklist data collected by volunteers during 1999 and 2000 to analyse the distribution of the blue hawker,Aeshna cyanea(Odonata, Aeshnidae), a common dragonfly in Switzerland. We used data from repeated visits to 1‐ha pixels to derive ‘detection histories’ and apply site‐occupancy models to estimate the ‘true’ species distribution, i.e. corrected for imperfect detection. We modelled blue hawker distribution as a function of elevation and year and its detection probability of elevation, year and season.

Results The best model contained cubic polynomial elevation effects for distribution and quadratic effects of elevation and season for detectability. We compared the site‐occupancy model with a conventional distribution model based on a generalized linear model, which assumes perfect detectability (p = 1). The conventional distribution map looked very different from the distribution map obtained using site‐occupancy models that accounted for the imperfect detection. The conventional model underestimated the species distribution by 60%, and the slope parameters of the occurrence–elevation relationship were also underestimated when assumingp = 1. Elevation was not only an important predictor of blue hawker occurrence, but also of the detection probability, with a bell‐shaped relationship. Furthermore, detectability increased over the season. The average detection probability was estimated at only 0.19 per survey.

Main conclusions Conventional species distribution models do not model species distributions per se but rather theapparent distribution, i.e. an unknownproportionof species distributions. That unknown proportion is equivalent to detectability. Imperfect detection in conventional species distribution models yields underestimates of the extent of distributions and covariate effects that are biased towards zero. In addition, patterns in detectability will erroneously be ascribed to species distributions. In contrast, site‐occupancy models applied to replicated detection/non‐detection data offer a powerful framework for making inferences about species distributions corrected for imperfect detection. The use of ‘cheap’ checklist data greatly enhances the scope of applications of this useful class of models.
Bioinformatics‐assisted characterization of the ITS1‐5·8S‐ITS2 segments of nuclear rRNA gene clusters, and its exploitation in molecular diagnostics of European crop‐parasitic nematodes of the genus Ditylenchus
Authors: Marek M. , Zouhar M. , Douda O. , Mazakova J. , Rysanek P.
Published: June 2010

In the present study, the determination and computer‐assisted characterization of ribosomal DNA (rDNA) sequence data were performed to improve classification and diagnostics of nematodes of the genus Ditylenchus. Dot‐plot analyses of the ITS1‐5·8S‐ITS2 segments revealed the presence of short repeated DNA motifs localized in the ITS1 region of D. destructor, whilst no similar DNA repeats were identified in other members of the genus. Additionally, three‐domain secondary structure models were inferred for ITS2 transcripts, providing a valuable resource for complex phylogenetic studies. Finally, alignment of the ITS‐rDNA sequence data and subsequent oligonucleotide combinations trials led to the development of taxon‐specific amplified regions. Together, this is the first report in which the three most common taxa of crop‐parasitic nematodes of the genus Ditylenchus, namely D. dipsaci sensu stricto, Ditylenchus sp. B and D. destructor, have been simultaneously detected using a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐based approach. This novel DNA technology is particularly valuable for the precise molecular diagnostics applicable to phytosanitary control and marker‐assisted selection (MAS)‐based plant breeding.
Field Trial Evaluation of Two Chenopodium quinoa Genotypes Grown Under Rain‐Fed Conditions in a Typical Mediterranean Environment in South Italy
Authors: Pulvento C. , Riccardi M. , Lavini A. , D’Andria R. , Iafelice G. , Marconi E.
Published: June 2010

Chenopodium quinoa Willd. or ‘quinoa’ is a plant having many uses as a food. Importantly, it offers an alternative to normal cereals in coeliac diets because its seeds are gluten‐free. For this reason, it is worthwhile to determine the properties of quinoa and to evaluate the suitability of this crop for the south of Italy. At the CNR‐ISAFoM’s experimental station in Vitulazio (CE), a 2‐year (2006–2007) field trial under rain‐fed conditions was carried out to compare the two quinoa genotypes: KVLQ520Y (KV) and Regalona Baer (RB). Comparison was also made between two sowing dates for KV. The results showed that April was the best sowing time for quinoa in our typical Mediterranean region. Of the two genotypes, RB recorded better growth and productivity, apparently being more tolerant to abiotic stress (high temperatures associated with water stress). Chemical analyses reveal the potential of quinoa seed as a valuable ingredient in the preparation of cereal foods having improved nutritional characteristics.
Neuropathology of HTLV‐1‐associated myelopathy (HAM/TSP)
Authors: Izumo Shuji
Published: June 2010

A series of our neuropathological studies was reviewed in order to clarify pathogenesis of human T lymphotropic virus type 1(HTLV‐1)‐associated myelopathy (HAM)/tropical spastic paraparesis (TSP). The essential histopathologic finding was chronic inflammation in which inflammatory infiltrates of mononuclear cells and degeneration of myelin and axons were noted in the entire spinal cord. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated T‐cell dominance, and the numbers of CD4+ cells and CD8+ cells were equally present in patients with shorter clinical courses. Apoptosis of helper/inducer T‐cells were observed in these active inflammatory lesions. Horizontal distribution of inflammatory lesions was symmetric at all spinal levels and was accentuated at sites with slow blood flow in the middle to lower thoracic levels. HTLV‐1 proviral DNA amounts were well correlated with the numbers of infiltrated CD4+ cells. In situ PCR of HTLV‐1 proviral DNA and in situ hybridization of HTLV‐1 Tax gene demonstrated the presence of HTLV‐1‐infected cells exclusively in the mononuclear infiltrates of perivascular areas. From these findings, it is suggested that T‐cell mediated chronic inflammatory processes targeting the HTLV‐1 infected T‐cells is the primary pathogenic mechanism of HAM/TSP. Anatomically determined hemodynamic conditions may contribute to the localization of infected T‐cells and the formation of main lesions in the middle to lower thoracic spinal cord.
Serotonin fibre sprouting and increase in serotonin transporter immunoreactivity in the CA1 area of hippocampus in a triple transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Noristani H. N. , Olabarria M. , Verkhratsky A. , Rodríguez J. J.
Published: June 2010

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease that deteriorates cognitive functions and associated brain regions such as the hippocampus, being the primary cause of dementia. Serotonin (5‐HT) is widely present in the hippocampus, being an important neurotransmitter involved in learning and memory. Although recent evidence suggests alterations in 5‐HT neurotransmission in AD, it is not clear how hippocampal 5‐HT innervation is modified. Here, we studied hippocampal 5‐HT innervation by analysing: (i) the expression, density and distribution of 5‐HT transporter (SERT)‐immunoreactive fibres; (ii) the specific morphological characteristics of serotonergic fibres and their relation to amyloid plaques; and (iii) the total number of 5‐HT neurons within the raphe nuclei in triple transgenic mouse model of AD. We used quantitative light microscopy immunohistochemistry comparing transgenic and non‐transgenic animals of different ages (3, 6, 9, 12 and 18 months). The transgenic animals showed a significant increase in SERT fibres in the hippocampus in a subfield‐, strata‐ and age‐specific manner. The increase in SERT fibres was specific to the CA1 stratum lacunosum‐moleculare. An increase in SERT fibres in transgenic animals was observed at 3 months (by 61%) and at 18 months (by 74%). No changes, however, were found in the total number of raphe 5‐HT neurons at any age. Our results indicate that triple transgenic mice display changes in the expression of SERT and increased SERT fibres sprouting, which may account for imbalanced serotonergic neurotransmission associated with (or linked to) AD cognitive impairment.
‘METALLIC NERVES’: SAN FRANCISCO AND ITS HINTERLAND DURING AND AFTER THE GOLD RUSH
Authors: Frost Lionel
Published: June 2010

As the gateway to the Californian goldfields, San Francisco experienced a demographic shock that had a lasting impact on its economy. Some writers see San Francisco's growth as having a parasitic influence on the city's hinterland through the anti‐competitive behaviour of some corporations and the destruction of natural resources. I argue that San Francisco generated more productive external effects through the formation of human and social capital in the city itself, and by investment in further resource development elsewhere in California.
SOJOURNERS OR A NEW DIASPORA? ECONOMIC IMPLICATIONS OF THE MOVEMENT OF CHINESE MINERS TO THE SOUTH‐WEST PACIFIC GOLDFIELDS
Authors: Reeves Keir
Published: June 2010

Chinese gold seekers were the largest non‐British group on the goldfields of Australasia and constituted the largest nationality on some diggings. In considering the movement of Chinese miners to and throughout the goldfields colonies of the southwest Pacific, this articles argues there existed a more complex pattern of migration than that suggested by the sojourner model of arrival, brief stay and departure. It examines the links between migration patterns and economic activity, and argues that economic history perspectives complement the insights offered by recent social and cultural history in the field.