bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The associations between childhood asthma and atopy, and parental asthma, hay fever and smoking
Authors: Jenkins Mark A. , Hopper John L. , Flander Louisa B. , Carlin John B. , Giles Graham G.
Published: April 2008

Summary. The aim of this analysis was to examine the degree to which a life time prevalence of asthma in a 7‐year‐old child is statistically associated with atopic conditions of the child, and with parental asthma, hay fever and smoking. In 1968, 8585 children who were born in 1961 and who were attending school in Tasmania were surveyed. This comprised 99% of the eligible population. The prevalence of a history of asthma in the 7‐year‐olds was 16.2% (males 19.0%, females 13.2%). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that a history of asthma in a 7‐year‐old was associated with the child being male (odds ratio [OR] 1.56; 99% confidence interval 1.30–1.86), having a history of hay fever (3.86; 3.12–4.78), eczema (2.04; 1.63–2.55), hives (1.34; 1.09–1.65) or allergy to foods or medicines (1.70; 1.26–2.30), the child's mother or father having a history of asthma (2.63; 2.08–3.31 or 2.52; 1.99–3.19, respectively), and the mother being a smoker (1.26; 1.05–1.51). Parental hay fever and paternal smoking were not independently associated with childhood asthma. The strength of association between childhood asthma and parental asthma was independent of the sex of either the parent or the child, and of atopic conditions in the child. In the 133 children for whom both parents were asthmatic, 65 (49%) had a history of asthma. These findings, based on a population survey, are consistent, not only with a childhood history of asthma being strongly associated with atopy, but also with the existence of strong unmeasured determinants common to family members, the effects of which are not mediated via atopy. The risk for asthma being independent of both the sex of the child and of the parent, is consistent with a genetic aetiology for susceptibility to asthma.
Vaginal bleeding and adverse reproductive outcomes: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Ananth Cande V. , Savitz David A.
Published: April 2008

Summary. The objective of this paper is to characterise and quantify the association between vaginal bleeding and pregnancy outcome. A metaanalysis was performed in order to quantify the risk of adverse reproductive outcome by combining evidence from all previous studies of vaginal bleeding. The reproductive endpoints considered were low birthweight, preterm birth, stillbirth, perinatal death and congenital malformation. The meta‐analysis confirms an association of vaginal bleeding with adverse pregnancy outcomes, but identified discrepancies in the reported risks of vaginal bleeding and magnitudes of association between bleeding and adverse reproductive outcomes, observed across studies. These discrepancies may be attributed to inconsistent definitions of the timing and severity of vaginal bleeding. The implications of such inconsistencies are discussed, suggesting a need for more standardised definitions of vaginal bleeding and reproductive endpoints in future studies.
International variations in the incidence of childhood soft‐tissue sarcomas
Authors: Stiller C. A. , Parkint D. M.
Published: April 2008

Summary. In the study of international childhood cancer incidence coordinated by the International Agency for Research on cancer, soft‐tissue sarcomas comprised between 4 and 8% of all cancers between 0 and 14 years of age. Among predominantly white populations, the age‐standardised annual incidence rate (ASR) for all soft‐tissue sarcomas was between 5 and 9 per million. The most common histological subtypes were rhabdomyosarcoma (ASR 4–7 per million) and fibrosarcoma, including other malignant fibromatous tumours (ASR 1–2 per million). In the United States the incidence of rhabdomyosarcoma for black girls was only half that for white girls, while the rates for boys were similar in the two ethnic groups; fibrosarcoma had a higher incidence among black people than white people for both sexes. Throughout most of Asia, soft‐tissue sarcomas almost invariably had a total ASR below 6 per million, rhabdomyosarcoma and fibrosarcoma again being the most common histological types. In Africa, incidence rates could not generally be calculated, but there were substantial numbers of registrations for rhabdomyosarcoma and fibrosarcoma. The majority of cases of Kaposi's sarcoma were in African children, and in eastern and southern Africa where Kaposi's sarcoma is endemic among adult men it comprised 25–50% of soft‐tissue sarcomas and 2–10% of all childhood cancers; the sex ratio (M/F) was 2.2:1, in contrast to the overwhelming male predominance among adults.

Variations between ethnic groups in the incidence of rhabdomyosarcoma and fibrosarcoma, together with their occurrence in a number of heritable syndromes, suggest that genetic predisposition is important in their aetiology. There was little evidence for an environmental aetiology in rhabdomyosarcoma and fibrosarcoma but an infectious agent may be responsible for childhood Kaposi's sarcoma.
Infants with single umbilical artery studied in a national registry. 3: A case control study of risk factors
Authors: Lilja Monica
Published: April 2008

Summary. This case control study reports associations between single umbilical artery (SUA) in newborns and some maternal biological characteristics. The study is based on chromosomally normal singleton infants born in Sweden between 1983 and 1990. Information on the maternal characteristics studied was obtained prospectively. There were 2920 cases identified and 5840 controls were selected. An association was found with: previous perinatal death, retained placenta, placenta praevia, maternal diabetes, epilepsy and hydramnios. Increased odds ratios were seen also for spontaneous abortion and abruptio placentae but did not reach statistical significance. No association was found with previous induced abortion, involuntary childlessness, or the use of contraceptives after the last menstrual period.
The value of measuring height and weight of schoolchildren
Authors: Cernerud Lars , Edding Elisabeth
Published: April 2008

Summary. The measurements of height and weight in the Stockholm school health service was appraised in relation to the screening value, the costs and benefits. The concept of a doubtful screening value of growth surveillances at school age was supported. Investment costs and running expenses were very low. The measurement procedure used only 2% of the total time spent by the nurses in the school health service. The growth data were an appropriate prerequisite for the reassurance of adolescents about their developing identity and body image. The growth data also constituted an appropriate indicator for public health research. The benefits and low costs may justify maintenance of the measurements in the school health service despite a low screening value.
Birthweight, preterm births and neonatal mortality in Belgium and the United States
Authors: Buekens Pierre , Wilcox Allen J , Kiely John , Masuy‐Stroobant Godelieve
Published: April 2008

Summary. Belgium is known to have a lesser low birthweight rate and a lower infant mortality rate than the United States. We used previously unpublished data to show that beneath this comparison lies a more complicated picture. Singleton live birth certificates for 1986‐67 were analysed. Despite a lower mean birthweight in Belgium (3360 g) than in the United States (3420 g), Belgium had fewer (4.9%) low birthweight infants than the US (5.9%) because of fewer preterm births (4.4 vs. 9.3%). Consistent with the excess of preterm births in the US, the residual distribution of birthweight was smaller in Belgium (2.2% vs. 3.1%). Whereas neonatal mortality was 4.8/1000 in Belgium and 5.6/1000 in the US, birthweight‐specific neonatal mortality was higher in Belgium. The challenge for Belgium is to improve the survival of newborns regardless of their birthweight. In the US, the task is to eliminate the excess of small preterm infants.
Did preterm deliveries continue to decrease in France in the 1980s?
Authors: Bréart Gérard , Blondel Béatrice , Tuppin Philippe , Grandjean Hélène , Kaminski Monique
Published: April 2008

Summary. To study the trends in gestational age and birthweight in France, we compared data from three surveys that were based on representative samples of births in 10 French regions and were conducted in 1972, 1981 and 1988‐89. Only single livebirths were considered in the analysis. The rate of preterm births decreased from 7.9% in 1972 to 5.8% in 1981 and 4.0% in 1988‐89. The corresponding rates of children with a birthweight below 2500 g were 5.4,4.3 and 4.7%. The mean birthweight of preterm babies born in 1988‐89 was lower than the mean birthweight of those born in 1972 and 1981. The reduction in preterm births cannot be attributed to the improved accuracy of gestational age determination, but the general use of ultrasound may have played a major role in the apparent reduction of the mean birthweight of preterm babies.
Pathology review of sudden and unexpected death in Aboriginal and non‐Aboriginal infants
Authors: Alessandri Louisa M. , Read Anne W. , Dawes Vivienne P. , Cooke Clive T. , Margolius Karin A. , Cadden Gerard A.
Published: April 2008

Summary. Previous research showed that the sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) rate for Aboriginal infants significantly increased during the 1980s in Western Australia (WA) and raised the possibility of a diagnostic transfer of Aboriginal infant deaths from other causes to SIDS over this period. Here, therefore we review the pathology of SIDS and other sudden and unexpected deaths in infancy (SUDI) for Aboriginal and non‐Aboriginal infants in WA between 1980 and 1988. The aim was to investigate whether there had been differences in the diagnosis and/or classification of SIDS according to whether the infants were Aboriginal or non‐Aboriginal. The study population comprised: (1) all Aboriginal cases of SIDS and other SUDI between 1980 and 1988, and (2) corresponding random samples of non‐Aboriginal cases. A two‐stage process was employed for the review. First, histology slides were reviewed for each case where the aboriginality of the infant was Aboriginal and the original cause of death were unknown to the pathologists. Second, all paper records (i.e. death scene investigations, laboratory tests and medical reports) except for the original cause of death information were reviewed by the pathologists. The results showed that there was excellent agreement between the final review diagnosis and the original diagnosis for both Aboriginal and non‐Aboriginal SUDI. Thus, there was no evidence for a diagnostic shift among Aboriginal infant deaths and the review supported the observed increase in the SIDS rate for Aboriginal infants.
The association between small size for gestational age and perinatal and neonatal death in a UK Regional Health Authority
Authors: de Courcy‐Wheeler Richard H. B. , Wolfe Charles D. A. , Warburton Fiona , Goodman Jonathan , Reynolds Felicity , Gamsu Harold
Published: April 2008

Summary. Confidential enquiry into stillbirth and death in infancy is a health service requirement in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. A confidential review of perinatal death has been conducted in South‐East Thames Region since 1988. Data collected for this review are analysed here. Among the 1662 singleton deaths in the enquiry from 1988 to 1991, 530 (32%) babies were small for gestational age (SGA < 10th centile): 338 of these (64%) were < 3rd centile and the remainder were between 3rd‐10th centile. Small size for gestational age was significantly associated with a previous SGA baby (P= 0.02), proteinuric hypertension (P= 0.001) and increased placental‐birthweight ratio (P= 0.008). Only 135 (25%) SGA fetuses were identified antenatally and multiple logistic regression showed that antenatal detection was independently related to proteinuric hypertension [odds ratio (OR) = 2.47,95% confidence interval (CI) 1.47‐4.17, P= 0.001) and to being < 3rd centile rather than 3rd‐10th centile (OR = 3.16, 95% CI 1.96‐5.10, P= 0.001). Although confidential enquiries have been criticised for a lack of objectivity the study indicates how data from such an enquiry can increase knowledge of events influencing peri‐ and neonatal outcome allowing strategies to be devised to effect change.
McKeown, Record, and the epidemiology of malformations
Authors: Leek Ian
Published: April 2008

Summary..Thomas McKeown and RG Record were colleagues in Birmingham, England, from 1947 to 1977. During their first decade together, they laid the foundations of epidemiological research on malformations with a series of case‐control studies of the commoner major defects. They found evidence of numerous trends of birth prevalence with variables such as season and year of birth, maternal age, birth rank, and socioeconomic status, suggesting that environmental factors played an important part in causation. The work that has led recently to the use of folate to reduce the risk of neural tube defects is among the lines of research that can be traced back to these case‐control studies. McKeown and Record also initiated, in Birmingham, the first population‐based register of malformations to be set up as an on‐going activity. As well as paving the way for the international networks of registers that now exist, the Birmingham register has been used in a variety of cohort studies. This work has confirmed many of the case‐control study findings and continues to yield new observations, including evidence that enteroviruses are involved in aetiology.
Incidence of childhood cancer in Thailand 1988–1991
Authors: Sriamporn S. , Vatanasapt V. , Martin N. , Sriplung H. , Chindavijak K. , Sontipong S. , Parking D. M. , Ferlay J.
Published: April 2008

Summary. Incidence rates of cancers of childhood in Thailand are presented for the first time, and compared with results from cancer registries in Asia, Europe and the USA. As elsewhere in the world, leukaemia (principally acute lymphocytic), brain tumours and lymphomas comprise two‐thirds of all childhood neoplasms. Carcinomas are rare, but the principal sites (liver, nasopharynx, thyroid and salivary gland) are extremely unusual elsewhere. Several features of the cancer partem correspond to that in other Asian populations (China, Japan, Philippines), in particular the low incidence of Hodgkin's disease, Wilms' tumour and Ewing's sarcoma. Conversely, Burkitf s lymphoma is more common than elsewhere, although this may represent increasing awareness of this diagnosis amongst clinicians in recent years.
Fumes from the spleen
Authors: GAFFIN JEAN , YATES JUDITH M.
Published: April 2008

Human domination over nature is quite simply an illusion, a passing fancy by a naive species. It is an illusion that has cost us much, ensnared us in our own designs, given us a few boasts to make about our courage and genius, but all the same it is an illusion
Low birth weight in Germany 1990–92
Authors: Dammann O. , Hellwege H. H. , Sommer B.
Published: April 2008

Summary.The reunification in 1990 of the German Democratic Republic (GDR) and the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) produced profound social transformations. Changes in the distribution of low birth‐weight (LBW, < 2500 g) in the two parts of the country between 1990 and 1992 have been studied by analysing vital statistics for the period. In absolute numbers, livebirths in the former FRG remained stable, while those in the former GDR declined by 51%. Numbers of LBW livebirths increased slightly in the former FRG and decreased in the former GDR; those in the category between 500 and 999 g remained stable in the former GDR and increased in the former FRG. However in terms of proportion, livebirths in this category doubled in the former GDR. Migration rates for the same period showed a shifting population from East to West particularly of young people, and maternal age‐specific numbers of livebirths decreased in both countries. Psychosocial stress may have contributed to the rise in ELBW, but it is also possible that the improvement and sharing of perinatal management strategies may have led to increased survival of babies < 1000g. Most importantly, the observed rise in the proportion of ELBW births (except those < 500 g) could be a result of the introduction of the more comprehensive definition of livebirth into the former GDR.
Preterm birth and low birthweight among children of Swedish and immigrant women between 1978 and 1990 ‐ AMENDMENTS
Authors: Rasmussen Finn , MichaelOldenburg Claes Erik , Ericson Anders , Gunnarskog Jan
Published: April 2008

Summary. (from line 12). Odds ratios (ORs) for LBW were 1.64 (95% CI 1.42,1.90) for Asia and the Pacific Islands, 1.68 (1.30,2.16) for Sub‐Saharan Africa and 0.86 (0.81‐0.91) for Finland. Odds ratios for preterm birth were 1.48 (1.28‐1.72) for immigrants from Asia and the Pacific Islands and 1.22 (1.11,1.33) for immigrants from Eastern Europe. Remarkably small differences were found between immigrant women and native Swedish women.
Impact of Caesarean section on future pregnancy ‐ a review of cohort studies
Authors: Hemminki Elina
Published: April 2008

Summary. Use of Caesarean sections has notably increased in many countries. This article reviews existing cohort type studies to compare subsequent reproduction after Caesarean section with a comparable control group, with exposure at the earliest in the 1960s. Eight studies were found. They suggested that a Caesarean section is a risk factor for lowered fertility, for uncompleted pregnancy (ectopic pregnancy and possibly miscarriage), for complications in the next pregnancy and birth (including placental complications) and for health problems in the next infant. The review was impeded by the lack of relevant research, and all studies to date potentially suffer from selection bias by indication. Trials and other studies on the long‐term outcomes of Caesarean sections are needed, especially in populations with a high risk for reproductive problems.
Neonatal herpes simplex virus infection in the British Isles
Authors: Tookey Pat , Peckham Catherine S.
Published: April 2008

Summary. This study was set up to estimate the incidence of neonatal herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection in the British Isles, and to document the outcome of neonatal infection. Paediatricians reported cases of neonatal HSV through the active reporting scheme of the British Paediatric Association Surveillance Unit. Over a 5half year period (1986‐91) 76 infants with neonatal HSV infection were reported, an incidence of recognised infection in the British Isles of 1.65/100000 livebirths. Twenty‐five infants had HSV‐1 infection, 24 HSV‐2 and in 27 virus type was unknown. Twenty‐seven had disseminated infection, 23 herpes encephalitis and 26 localised infection. Nineteen infants (25%) died in the neonatal period, and a further 25 (33%) have subsequently died or have long‐term sequelae. At least half of the infants had been discharged home before symptoms became apparent. For 21 women there was evidence of a maternal genital herpes infection at some time, but this was reported or diagnosed retrospectively after neonatal HSV was suspected in 19 cases, and ante‐natally in only two. Neonatal HSV is rare in the British Isles and routine antenatal screening for genital herpes infection during pregnancy is not justified. A high proportion of infected infants present with non‐specific signs and symptoms and without mucocutaneous involvement; furthermore, there is rarely a history of maternal infection. As early diagnosis and prompt treatment is essential, there must be a high level of awareness of the serious nature of neonatal HSV infection.
An Ethiopian birth cohort study
Authors: Asefa Makonnen , Drewett Robert , Hewison Jenny
Published: April 2008

Summary. A one‐year birth cohort was studied in Jimma town, South West Ethiopia, in 1992‐93. We report here on the design and on the methods used in the study and describe the principal health outcomes. Infants were visited bimonthly until their first birthday. Background data on the physical, cultural and economic environment of the home were collected at the first visit, and data on nursing and weaning, on traditional surgical and other practices, and on vaccination at the first visit and at each subsequent visit. Length, weight and mid upper arm circumference were measured, and details of the mother's handling of illness episodes recorded. Of 1563 children born, 86% were successfully followed to the end of their first year or to an earlier death. There were 141 deaths, indicating an infant mortality of 115/1000 (estimated probability of surviving to 1 year 0.8851, with s.e. 0.0101). The mean length and weight of the singleton infants at the end of their first year was ‐1.41 and ‐ 1.52SD from the median of the NCHS/WHO reference population. Weights throughout the first year were analysed in more detail using a Reed model, fitted as a random coefficient regression model in ML3‐E. There were clear differences in growth across the different ethnic groups, with the best growing group weighing on average about l kg more at the end of the first year than the groups growing least well.
A conditioning regimen of busulfan, fludarabine, and melphalan for allogeneic stem cell transplantation in children with juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia
Authors: Yabe Miharu , Sako Masahiro , Yabe Hiromasa , Osugi Yuko , Kurosawa Hidemitsu , Nara Taemi , Tokuyama Mika , Adachi Souichi , Kobayashi Chie , Yanagimachi Masakatsu , Ohtsuka Yoshitoshi , Nakazawa Yozo , Ogawa Chitose , Manabe Atsushi , Kojima Seiji , Nakahata Tatsutoshi ,   for a Japanese Childhood MDS Study Group
Published: April 2008

Abstract:  A pilot study was undertaken using a myeloablative conditioning with fludarabine, busulfan, and melphalan to improve the outcome of HSCT in 10 children, aged six months to six yr, with JMML. All patients were conditioned with oral busulfan (560 mg/m2), fludarabine (120 mg/m2), and melphalan (180–210 mg/m2) prior to HSCT, and received stem cells from bone marrow in seven cases, and from cord blood in three cases. Engraftment was documented in eight patients, whereas graft failure occurred in two, one of whom had received HLA‐mismatched cord blood and other had received bone marrow from HLA‐mismatched mother. Three patients, including two in who graft failure had occurred, relapsed. Five patients developed acute GVHD and two developed chronic GVHD. Seven patients are alive and in remission 27–69 months after transplantation. Thus, our study showed that HSCT following conditioning with fludarabine, busulfan, and melphalan was well tolerated and appeared to be effective for JMML.
Fermentation and malate metabolism in response to elevated CO2 concentrations in two strawberry cultivars
Authors: Ponce‐Valadez Monica , Watkins Christopher B.
Published: April 2008

Concentrations of acetaldehyde, ethanol, ethyl acetate (EA), organic acids and activities and gene expression of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH; EC 1.1.1.1), pyruvate decarboxylase (PDC; EC 4.1.1.1), alcohol acyltransferase (AAT; EC 1.4.1.14), malate dehydrogenase (MDH; EC 1.1.1.37), malic enzyme (ME; EC 1.1.1.40) and glutamate dehydrogenase (EC 1.4.1.14) were investigated in two strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch) cultivars with different responses to CO2 during storage. ‘Jewel’ fruit treated with CO2 accumulated acetaldehyde and ethanol but little EA, while ‘Cavendish’ accumulated little acetaldehyde or ethanol but accumulated EA. In CO2‐treated fruit, PDC activity was positively correlated with EA accumulation in ‘Jewel’ but not in ‘Cavendish’, while no differential effect of atmosphere was observed on its gene expression. ADH activity and gene expression show a correlation with ethanol accumulation in ‘Cavendish’. In ‘Jewel’, there was a positive correlation between ADH gene expression and enzyme activity; however, this correlation does not explain ethanol accumulation in this cultivar. EA accumulation did not show any correlation with AAT activity and gene expression in any of the cultivars. Succinate concentrations were highest and those of malate lowest in CO2‐treated fruit of both cultivars, but MDH and ME activities were not affected by CO2. Gene expression of MDH and ME were not affected by atmosphere in ‘Cavendish’, although in ‘Jewel’ the MDH expression was slightly lower in CO2‐ than air‐treated fruit. The results of this study show that differences in fermentation products and malate accumulation in CO2‐treated strawberry fruit are not consistently correlated with enzyme activities and gene expression.
Metabolic regulation of pathways of carbohydrate oxidation in potato (Solanum tuberosum) tubers
Authors: Centeno Danilo C. , Oliver Sandra N. , Nunes‐Nesi Adriano , Geigenberger Peter , Machado Daniel N. , Loureiro Marcelo Ehlers , Silva Marco A. P. , Fernie Alisdair R.
Published: April 2008

In the present article we evaluate the consequence of tuber‐specific expression of yeast invertase, on the pathways of carbohydrate oxidation, in potato (Solanum tuberosum L. cv. Desiree). We analysed the relative rates of glycolysis and the oxidative pentose phosphate pathway that these lines exhibited as well as the relative contributions of the cytochrome and alternative pathways of mitochondrial respiration. Enzymatic and protein abundance analysis revealed concerted upregulation of the glycolytic pathway and of specific enzymes of the tricarboxylic acid cycle and the alternative oxidase but invariant levels of enzymes of the oxidative pentose phosphate pathway and proteins of the cytochrome pathway. When taken together these experiments suggest that the overexpression of a cytosolic invertase (EC 3.2.1.26) results in a general upregulation of carbohydrate oxidation with increased flux through both the glycolytic and oxidative pentose phosphate pathways as well as the cytochrome and alternative pathways of oxidative phosphorylation. Moreover these data suggest that the upregulation of respiration is a consequence of enhanced efficient mitochondrial metabolism.
Identification of clinically relevant yeast species by DNA sequence analysis of the D2 variable region of the 25–28S rRNA gene
Authors: Putignani Lorenza , Paglia Maria G. , Bordi Eugenio , Nebuloso Elena , Pucillo Leopoldo P. , Visca Paolo
Published: April 2008

Clinically relevant yeasts are conventionally identified by a combination of phenotypic tests, which occasionally provide ambiguous results for atypical isolates or uncommon species. In this study, we evaluate a direct polymerase chain reaction‐sequencing method, which exploits sequence divergence in the hypervariable D2 region of the large subunit of the 25–28S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene for identification of facultative pathogenic asco‐ and basidiomycota. A panel of 53 yeasts, including 40 clinical isolates and 13 reference strains representative of some clinically relevant taxa, was investigated by combining standard phenotypic tests with commercial identification systems (RapID, API 20C AUX), and results were compared with the taxonomic allocations inferred by D2 sequence analysis. Species‐level resolution was achieved for almost all (52/53) strains by combining internet‐based D2 sequence homology (BLAST and FASTA) searches in free‐access synchronised databases with phylogenetic analysis. The phylogenetic information carried by the short D2 sequence substantiates a pattern of molecular evolution, which is similar to that inferred from analysis of the larger D1/D2 region, and consistent with previously published 25–28S rRNA phylogenetic architectures of facultative pathogenic yeast, including recently identified species. Inconsistency between conventional and molecular identification results was observed for 11/53 strains, likely on account of the ambiguous interpretation of phenotypic tests.
Stoichiometry of endothermy: shifting the quest from nitrogen to carbon
Authors: Klaassen Marcel , Nolet Bart A.
Published: April 2008

For many animals, notably herbivores, plants are often an inadequate food source given the low content of protein and high content of C‐rich material. This conception is mainly based on studies on ectotherms. The validity of this conception for endotherms is unclear given their much higher carbon requirements for maintenance energy metabolism than ectotherms. Applying stoichiometric principles, we hypothesized that endotherms can cope with diets with much higher (metabolizable) carbon to nitrogen ratios than ectotherms. Using empirical data on birds, eutherian mammals, marsupials and reptiles, we compiled and compared measurements and allometric equations for energy metabolism as well as nitrogen requirements. Our analysis supports our hypothesis that plants, and especially their leaves, are generally sufficiently rich in nitrogen to fulfil protein demands in endotherms, at least during maintenance conditions, but less so in ectotherms. This has important implications with respect to community functioning and the evolution of endothermy.
Effect of a large prostate gland on open and robotically assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy
Authors: Chan Robert C. , Barocas Daniel A. , Chang Sam S. , Herrell S. Duke , Clark Peter E. , Baumgartner Roxy , Smith Joseph A. , Cookson Michael S.
Published: April 2008

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the outcomes based on gland size between robotically assisted radical prostatectomy (RALP) and open RP (RRP), as larger prostates might increase the difficulty of RP.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We reviewed 660 patients who had RALP and 340 who had RRP from May 2003 to August 2006; the patients were divided into two groups, with a prostate of >75 and ≤75 g. The clinical characteristics, surgical approach, perioperative and postoperative outcomes were evaluated.

RESULTS

Patients with large prostates were significantly older (P < 0.001), but had a lower pathological stage (RALP, P = 0.046, and RRP, P = 0.008) than patients with small glands, regardless of technique. There was no difference in length of stay or transfusion rates between the groups. A large prostate increased the operative duration of RALP (P < 0.001) but not of RRP. For both RALP and RRP, positive margin rates were lower with larger glands (RALP, P = 0.014; RRP, P = 0.033). Overall, the positive margin rates were lower with RALP (9.9% and 19.0%) than RRP (18.5% and 35.5%) among patients with larger or smaller (P < 0.001) glands, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Prostates of ≥75 g had fewer positive margins than smaller glands, regardless of surgical technique. There was also a significant decrease in positive margin rate in among prostates of >75 g in favour of RALP. Thus, RALP appears to be comparable with RRP for patients with large glands, and might reduce the positive margin rate.
Naming Practices and the Acquisition of Key Biological Concepts
Authors: Anggoro Florencia K. , Waxman Sandra R. , Medin Douglas L.
Published: April 2008

Children's acquisition of fundamental biological concepts (LIVING THING, ANIMAL, PLANT) is shaped by the way these concepts are named. In English, but not Indonesian, the name “animal” is polysemous: One sense includes all animate objects, and the other excludes humans. Because names highlight object categories, if the same name (“animal”) points to two different, hierarchically related biological concepts, children should have difficulty settling on the scope of that term and its close neighbors (e.g.,“alive”). Experiments with 4- to 9-year-old English- and Indonesian-speaking children revealed that “alive” poses unique interpretive challenges, especially for English-speaking children. When asked to identify entities that are “alive,” older Indonesian-speaking children selected both plants and animals, but their English-speaking counterparts tended to exclude plants, which suggests that they may have misaligned “alive” with one of the “animal” senses. This work underscores the importance of considering language and cultural factors in studying the acquisition of fundamental concepts about the biological world.
First Impressions and Last Resorts
Authors: Kraljic Tanya , Samuel Arthur G. , Brennan Susan E.
Published: April 2008

Perceptual theories must explain how perceivers extract meaningful information from a continuously variable physical signal. In the case of speech, the puzzle is that little reliable acoustic invariance seems to exist. We tested the hypothesis that speech-perception processes recover invariants not about the signal, but rather about the source that produced the signal. Findings from two manipulations suggest that the system learns those properties of speech that result from idiosyncratic characteristics of the speaker; the same properties are not learned when they can be attributed to incidental factors. We also found evidence for how the system determines what is characteristic: In the absence of other information about the speaker, the system relies on episodic order, representing those properties present during early experience as characteristic of the speaker. This “first-impressions” bias can be overridden, however, when variation is an incidental consequence of a temporary state (a pen in the speaker's mouth), rather than characteristic of the speaker.
Perceptual Mechanisms That Characterize Gender Differences in Decoding Women's Sexual Intent
Authors: Farris Coreen , Treat Teresa A. , Viken Richard J. , McFall Richard M.
Published: April 2008

Men and women often disagree about the meaning of women's nonverbal cues, particularly those conveying dating-relevant information. Men perceive more sexual intent in women's behavior than women perceive or report intending to convey. Although this finding has been attributed to gender differences in the threshold for labeling ambiguous cues as sexual in nature, little research has been conducted to determine etiology. Using a model that differentiates perceptual sensitivity from decisional bias, we found no evidence that men have lenient thresholds for perceiving women's nonverbal behavior as indicating sexual interest. Rather, gender differences were captured by a relative perceptual insensitivity among men. Just as in previous studies, men were more likely than women to misperceive friendliness as sexual interest, but they also were quite likely to misperceive sexual interest as friendliness. The results point to the promise of computational models of perception in increasing the understanding of clinically relevant social processes.
Bi‐polar Disorder? Is Bioprospecting an Emerging Issue for the Arctic as well as for Antarctica?
Authors: Leary David
Published: April 2008

Bioprospecting has recently emerged as a new challenge for environmental governance in Antarctica. While considerable attention now surrounds this issue in Antarctica, there has been little, if any, debate on the question of whether bioprospecting is also an issue requiring a policy or regulatory response in the Arctic. This article briefly considers the emerging debate with respect to bioprospecting in Antarctica. It then provides a detailed survey of the nature and extent of bioprospecting in the Arctic, with a focus on the Nordic countries. It goes on to outline legislative developments in several Nordic countries concerning the regulation of access and benefit sharing in relation to naturally occurring biological materials of actual or potential value commonly referred to as wild genetic resources. It concludes by highlighting some potential disputes raised by the creation of such regimes, especially around the disputed waters of Svalbard. This analysis suggests that a more coordinated regional response may be warranted in the Arctic in the future.
The prevalence of transmitted antiretroviral drug resistance in treatment‐naïve patients and factors influencing first‐line treatment regimen selection
Authors: Huang H‐Y , Daar ES , Sax PE , Young B , Cook P , Benson P , Cohen C , Scribner A , Hu H
Published: April 2008

Objectives

To estimate the prevalence of transmitted antiretroviral (ARV) drug resistance, and to assess whether resistance testing influences first‐line ARV regimen selection.

Methods

Data on patients' characteristics were collected through questionnaires. ARV drug resistance was tested by genotypic methods and defined by Quest–Stanford classification rule. Physicians reported the intended and actual treatments and the factors considered in treatment selection.

Results

Two hundred and twenty‐eight patients were included. The prevalence of ARV drug resistance was 12.1%, with 9.8% for non‐nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs), 4.5% for nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors and 1.8% for protease inhibitors (PIs). Pill burdens, dosing frequency and physicians' experience with regimens were the major factors considered in treatment selection. The intended and actual treatment differed for 73 and 44% of the patients with and without ARV drug resistance, respectively [odds ratio (95% confidence interval, CI)=3.6 (1.5–9.0), P=0.006]. NNRTI‐based regimens were intended for 10 patients with resistance to NNRTIs; these patients were prescribed PI‐based regimens after genotypic testing.

Conclusions

Transmitted ARV drug resistance was detected in 12.1% of treatment‐naïve patients, with resistance to NNRTIs the most common. Resistance‐testing results played a partial role in first‐line treatment selection. However, resistance to NNRTIs pre‐empted NNRTI use.
The Development and Well‐Being Assessment: Description and Initial Validation of an Integrated Assessment of Child and Adolescent Psychopathology
Authors: Goodman Robert , Ford Tamsin , Richards Hilary , Gatward Rebecca , Meltzer Howard
Published: April 2008

The Development and Well‐Being Assessment (DAWBA) is a novel package of questionnaires, interviews, and rating techniques designed to generate ICD‐10 and DSM‐IV psychiatric diagnoses on 5‐ldyear‐olds. Nonclinical interviewers administer a structured interview to parents about psychiatric symptoms and resultant impact. When definite symptoms are identified by the structured questions, interviewers use open‐ended questions and supplementary prompts to get parents to describe the problems in their own words. These descriptions are transcribed verbatim by the interviewers but are not rated by them. A similar interview is administered to 1 l‐16‐year‐olds. Teachers complete a brief questionnaire covering the main conduct, emotional, and hyperactivity symptoms and any resultant impairment. The different sorts of information are brought together by a computer program that also predicts likely diagnoses. These computer‐generated summary sheets and diagnoses form a convenient starting point for experienced clinical raters, who decide whether to accept or overturn the computer diagnosis (or lack of diagnosis) in the light of their review of all the data, including transcripts. In the present study, the DAWBA was administered to community (N= 491) and clinic (N= 39) samples. There was excellent discrimination between community and clinic samples in rates of diagnosed disorder. Within the community sample, subjects with and without diagnosed disorders differed markedly in external characteristics and prognosis. In the clinic sample, there was substantial agreement between DAWBA and case note diagnoses, though the DAWBA diagnosed more comorbid disorders. The use of screening questions and skip rules greatly reduced interview length by allowing many sections to be omitted with very little loss of positive information. Overall, the DAWBA successfully combined the cheapness and simplicity of respondent‐based measures with the clinical persuasiveness of investigator‐based diagnoses. The DAWBA has considerable potential as an epidemiological measure, and may prove to be of clinical value too.
Culture and psychiatric symptoms in Puerto Rican children: longitudinal results from one ethnic group in two contexts
Authors: Duarte Cristiane S. , Bird Hector R. , Shrout Patrick E. , Wu Ping , Lewis‐Fernandéz Roberto , Shen Sa , Canino Glorisa
Published: April 2008

Background:  The development of youth psychopathology may be associated with direct and continuous contact with a different culture (acculturation) and to distress related to this process (cultural stress). We examine cultural experiences of Puerto Rican families in relation to youth psychiatric symptoms in two different contexts: one in which migrant Puerto Ricans reside on the mainland as an ethnic minority and another in which they reside in their place of origin.

Methods:  Sample: Probability samples of 10‐ to 13‐year‐old youth of Puerto Rican background living in the South Bronx, New York City (SB) and in the San Juan Metropolitan area in Puerto Rico (PR) (N = 1,271) were followed over time. Measures: Three assessments of internalizing psychiatric symptoms (elicited through the DISC‐IV) and of antisocial behaviors (ASB) quantified through a six‐point index were carried out. Independent variables included scales of adult and child acculturation and cultural stress, and other putative correlates. Data analysis: Within each study site, multilevel linear regression models were examined.

Results:  Parental acculturation was associated with ASB in youth at both sites, but youth acculturation itself was not related to psychiatric symptoms. At both contexts, cultural stress was a more consistent correlate of youth psychiatric symptoms than acculturation after controlling for nativity, maternal education, child gender, stressful life events and parental psychopathology. However, the strength of the youth cultural stress association decreased over time.

Conclusion:  The association between cultural factors and child psychiatric symptoms is not restricted to contexts where an ethnic group is a minority.
Optimization of ingredient levels for manufacturing malted milk beverage using response surface methodology
Authors: SINGH ASHISH KUMAR , TIWARI SHIKHA , SINGH RAM RAN BIJOY , TYAGI RAJIV KUMAR , ARORA SUMIT
Published: April 2008

The malted milk beverage was prepared with varying levels of milk fat, wort and stabilizer–emulsifier mix using response surface methodology. Milk fat had a significant effect on all sensory attributes at the linear, quadratic or interactive levels. Wort level affected the flavour of the beverage at the linear (P < 0.01) term. The addition of stabilizer–emulsifier mix enhanced the overall acceptability of the product by significantly affecting the flavour (P < 0.01) and mouthfeel (P < 0.01). The optimum levels of ingredients to manufacture acceptable quality malted milk beverages were 1.93 g/100 g milk fat, 62.96 g/100 g wort and 0.09 g/100 g stabilizer–emulsifier mix.
Evaluation of the possible use of potentially probiotic Lactobacillus strains in dairy products
Authors: MODZELEWSKA‐KAPITUŁA MONIKA , KŁĘBUKOWSKA LUCYNA , KORNACKI KAZIMIERZ
Published: April 2008

In the study, the ability of two potentially probiotic strains Lactobacillus plantarum 14 and Lactobacillus fermentum 4a to milk fermentation and the possibility to use them in yogurt production were investigated. The strains did not acidify milk during 24 h and 72 h fermentation at 37C, but grew well and remained at the level of 108 colony‐forming units (CFU)/mL during 21 days of cold storage. Their application to yogurt production along with commercial starter culture consisted on L. delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus and S. thermophilus allowed to obtain products with typical sensory properties, pH values and numbers of potentially probiotic bacteria at desired level 107 CFU/mL.
Influence of hypoglucagonemia on splanchnic glucose output during leg exercise in man
Authors: Björkman Ola , Felig Philip , Hagenfeldt Lars , Wahren John
Published: April 2008

Summary. The present study was undertaken to examine the role of glucagon in the regulation of hepatic glucose production during exercise. Using the hepatic vein catheter technique, the influence of somatostatin‐induced hypoglucagonemia on splanchnic exchange of glucose and glucose precursors during exercise was studied in normal postabsorptive man. In the experiments hypoglucagonemia was induced 10 min before and during 40 min of supine bicycle exercise (series 1), or 1–2 h before, and during, 40 min of upright bicycle exercise (series 2). The relative work intensities were 50% (series 1) and 55% (series 2) of maximal oxygen uptake. Control studies without somatostatin were conducted in both series.

In both series, insulin and glucagon levels were suppressed by 40–50% throughout the period of somatostatin infusion. In series 1, somatostatin infusion at rest resulted in a 50 % fall in splanchnic glucose output. Onset of exercise during suppressed glucose production was followed by a rise in splanchnic glucose output similar to that seen in control subjects, but the absolute rate of glucose production was 5–25 % lower than in controls. In contrast to the euglycemia observed in the control experiment, exercise during somatostatin administration was accompanied by a 1–2 mmol/1 fall in blood glucose concentration due to the lower rate of glucose production.

In series 2, a variable glucose infusion was added to the somatostatin administration before exercise to maintain euglycemia. After 1–2 h of somatostatin administration, glucose infusion was no longer required to prevent hypoglycemia, and splanchnic glucose output had returned to the basal level. At this time exercise was started. Both the rise in splanchnic glucose production and the absolute rate of splanchnic glucose output during exercise were similar to those observed without somatostatin. However, exercise during prolonged somatostatin infusion was accompanied by a gradual 50% rise in arterial glucose concentration, whereas no change in blood glucose during exercise was seen in controls.
Muscle morphology, enzyme activity and muscle strength in elderly men and women
Authors: Aniansson A. , Grimby G. , Hedberg M. , Krotkiewski M.
Published: April 2008

Summary.The quadriceps muscle were investigated with respect to isometric and isokinetic muscle strength, morphology and as regards some enzymes and metabolites of importance for the contractile processes. The material comprises 52 men (66–76 years) and 13 women (61–71 years) without clinical symptoms. Some participants used antihypertensive and/or heart‐regulating medicine but were symptom‐free. None of the subjects participated in any systematic training. All of them except for one physically inactive woman carried out moderate physical activities for at least 4 hweek. The body cell mass was higher in the men than in the women, and was highly correlated to muscle strength in both sexes. The fibre distribution was similar in both sexes with an average of 48 % Type I fibres in the men and 54 % Type I fibres in the women. The women had fewer Type II B fibres (4%) than the men (18 %). The average Type I fibre area did not differ between the sexes. The average Type II fibre area and the mean fibre area were smaller in women than in men, so that the ratio between the mean Type II and Type I fibre area was smaller in the women (0–76) than in the men (0–95). Signs of denervation/reinnervation, such as type grouping and an increase number of enclosed fibres, were observed very rarely and no great number of atrophic fibres indicating neuropathy was found. In both sexes, there was a reduction in the Type II fibre size, specially in relation to Type I fibre size, compared with young people. There was no difference between the enzymatic (Mg2+ATPase, MK and LDH) and the phosphagen (ATP and CP) content values between the sexes and no correlation between these variables and muscle strength. The capillarization was similar in the men and the women.