bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Regulatory immune cells in kidney disease
Authors: Lee V. W. S. , Wang Y. M. , Wang Y. P. , Zheng D. , Polhill T. , Cao Q. , Wu H. , Alexander I. E. , Alexander S. I. , Harris D. C. H.
Published: April 2008

Lymphocytes and macrophages act as effector immune cells in the initiation and progression of renal injury. Recent data have shown that subpopulations of these immune cells (regulatory T lymphocytes and alternately-activated or regulatory macrophages) are potent modulators of tissue injury and repair in renal disease. Recent animal studies examining the therapeutic effect of these cells raise the exciting possibility that strategies targeting these cell types may be effective in treating and preventing kidney disease in humans. This review will describe their biological role in experimental kidney disease and therapeutic potential in clinical nephrology.
Candesartan augments compensatory changes in medullary transport proteins in the diabetic rat kidney
Authors: Blount Mitsi A. , Sands Jeff M. , Kent Kimilia J. , Smith Tekla D. , Price S. Russ , Klein Janet D.
Published: April 2008

Volume depletion due to persistent glucosuria-induced osmotic diuresis is a significant problem in uncontrolled diabetes mellitus (DM). Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), such as candesartan, slow the progression of chronic kidney disease in patients with DM. However, mice with genetic knockout of components of the renin-angiotensin system have urine concentrating defects, suggesting that ARBs may exacerbate the volume depletion. Therefore, the effect of candesartan on UT-A1, UT-A3, NKCC2, and aquaporin-2 (AQP2) protein abundances was determined in control and 3-wk DM rats. Aldosterone levels in control rats (0.36 ± 0.06 nM) and candesartan-treated rats (0.34 ± 0.14 nM) were the same. DM rats had higher aldosterone levels (1.48 ± 0.37 nM) that were decreased by candesartan (0.97 ± 0.26 nM). Western analysis showed that UT-A1 expression was increased in DM rats compared with controls in inner medullary (IM) tip (158 ± 13%) and base (120 ± 25%). UT-A3 abundance was increased in IM tip (123 ± 11%) and base (146 ± 17%) of DM rats vs. controls. UT-A3 was unchanged in candesartan-treated control rats. In candesartan-treated DM rats, UT-A3 increased in IM tip (160 ± 14%) and base (210 ± 19%). Candesartan-treated DM rats had slightly higher AQP2 in IM (46%, P < 0.05) vs. control rats. NKCC2/BSC1 was increased 145 ± 10% in outer medulla of DM vs. control rats. We conclude that candesartan augments compensatory changes in medullary transport proteins, reducing the losses of solute and water during uncontrolled DM. These changes may represent a previously unrecognized beneficial effect of type 1 ARBs in DM.
Contribution of male sex, age, and obesity to mechanical instability of the upper airway during sleep
Authors: Kirkness Jason P. , Schwartz Alan R. , Schneider Hartmut , Punjabi Naresh M. , Maly Joseph J. , Laffan Alison M. , McGinley Brian M. , Magnuson Thomas , Schweitzer Michael , Smith Philip L. , Patil Susheel P.
Published: April 2008

Male sex, obesity, and age are risk factors for obstructive sleep apnea, although the mechanisms by which these factors increase sleep apnea susceptibility are not entirely understood. This study examined the interrelationships between sleep apnea risk factors, upper airway mechanics, and sleep apnea susceptibility. In 164 (86 men, 78 women) participants with and without sleep apnea, upper airway pressure-flow relationships were characterized to determine their mechanical properties [pharyngeal critical pressure under hypotonic conditions (passive Pcrit)] during non-rapid eye movement sleep. In multiple linear regression analyses, the effects of body mass index and age on passive Pcrit were determined in each sex. A subset of men and women matched by body mass index, age, and disease severity was used to determine the sex effect on passive Pcrit. The passive Pcrit was 1.9 cmH2O [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.1–3.6 cmH2O] lower in women than men after matching for body mass index, age, and disease severity. The relationship between passive Pcrit and sleep apnea status and severity was examined. Sleep apnea was largely absent in those individuals with a passive Pcrit less than −5 cmH2O and increased markedly in severity when passive Pcrit rose above −5 cmH2O. Passive Pcrit had a predictive power of 0.73 (95% CI: 0.65–0.82) in predicting sleep apnea status. Upper airway mechanics are differentially controlled by sex, obesity, and age, and partly mediate the relationship between these sleep apnea risk factors and obstructive sleep apnea.
Altered Dendritic Integration in Hippocampal Granule Cells of Spatial Learning-Impaired Aged Rats
Authors: Krause Michael , Yang Zhiyong , Rao Geeta , Houston Frank P. , Barnes C. A.
Published: April 2008

Glutamatergic transmission at central synapses undergoes activity-dependent and developmental changes. In the hippocampal dentate gyrus, the non- N-methyl d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor component of field excitatory postsynaptic potentials (fEPSPs) increases with age in Fischer-344 rats. This effect may not depend on the animal's activity or experience but could be part of the developmental process. Age-dependent differences in synaptic transmission at the perforant path-granule cell synapse may be caused by changes in non-NMDA and NMDA receptor-mediated currents. To test this hypothesis, we compared whole cell excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) in dentate granule cells evoked by perforant path stimulation in young (3–4 mo) and aged (22–27 mo) Fischer-344 rats using a Cs+-based intracellular solution. Aged animals as a group showed spatial learning and memory deficits in the Morris water maze. Using whole cell recordings, slope conductances of both non-NMDA and NMDA EPSCs at holding potentials −10 to +50 mV were significantly reduced in aged animals and the non-NMDA/NMDA ratio in aged animals was found to be significantly smaller than in young animals. In contrast, we detected no differences in basic electrophysiological parameters, or absolute amplitudes of non-NMDA and NMDA EPSCs. Extracellular Cs+ increased the fEPSP in young slices to a greater degree than was found in the aged slices, while it increased population spikes to a greater degree in the aged rats. Our results not only provide evidence for reduced glutamatergic synaptic responses in Fischer-344 rats but also point to differential changes in Cs+-sensitive dendritic conductances, such as Ih or inwardly rectifying potassium currents, during aging.
Effects of Anoxia and Aglycemia on Cytosolic Calcium Regulation in Rat Sensory Neurons
Authors: Henrich Michael , Buckler Keith J.
Published: April 2008

Nociceptive neurons play an important role in ischemia by sensing and transmitting information to the CNS and by secreting peptides and nitric oxide, which can have local effects. While these responses are probably primarily mediated by acid sensing channels, other events occurring in ischemia may also influence neuron function. In this study, we have investigated the effects of anoxia and anoxic aglycemia on Ca2+regulation in sensory neurons from rat dorsal root ganglia. Anoxia increased [Ca2+]iby evoking Ca2+release from two distinct internal stores one sensitive to carbonyl cyanide p-(trifluoromethoxy) phenylhydrazone (FCCP) and one sensitive to caffeine, cyclopiazonic acid (CPA), and ryanodine [assumed to be the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)]. Anoxia also promoted progressive decline in ER Ca2+content. Despite partially depolarizing mitochondria, anoxia had relatively little effect on mitochondrial Ca2+uptake when neurons were depolarized but substantially delayed mitochondrial Ca2+release and subsequent Ca2+clearance from the cytosol on repolarization. Anoxia also reduced both sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA) activity and Ca2+extrusion [probably via plasma membrane Ca2+-ATPase (PMCA)]. Thus anoxia has multiple effects on [Ca2+]ihomeostasis in sensory neurons involving internal stores, mitochondrial buffering, and Ca2+pumps. Under conditions of anoxic aglycemia, there was a biphasic and more profound elevation of [Ca2+]i, which was associated with complete ER Ca2+store emptying and progressive, and eventually complete, inhibition of Ca2+clearance by PMCA and SERCA. These data clearly show that loss of oxygen, and exhaustion of glycolytic substrates, can profoundly affect many aspects of cell Ca2+regulation, and this may play an important role in modulating neuronal responses to ischemia.
A Description of Pocobletus Coroniger Simon (Araneae, Linyphiidae)
Authors: Chickering Arthur M.
Published: April 2008

More than thirty years ago I began finding this species in my
coIlections from localities in the Panama Canal Zone. For many
years they were regarded as representatives of a new genus. During
a period of work in the Museum National d′Histoire Naturelle in
Paris in 958 Dr. H. W. Levi made sketches of the type specimens
of Pocobletus coroniger Simon and later identified my specimens
from Panama. In I894 Simon gave a brief definition of the genus
Pocobletus and in a footnote he gave a very brief description of both
sexes of Pocobletus coroniger and included the species in his general
treatment of the Argiopidae. No figures were given with the description.
Because of the uncertainties regarding the status of the
species it now seems worth while to prepare a series of figures together
with what I hope will be regarded as an adequate description of both
sexes of this interesting species. As a basis for this description I have
selected a male from Summit, Panama Canal Zone, August, I950
and a female from Barro Colorado Island, Canal Zone, February,
I958. Other specimens from localities in the Canal Zone have also
been used to supplement data derived from these two specimens.
Revisional Study of the Order Palaeodictyoptera in the Upper Carboniferous Shales of Commentry, France Part II
Authors: Kukalova Jarmila
Published: April 2008

An introductory discussion of the Palaeodictyoptera found in the
Commentry shales and of the coIlection in the Institut de Paléontologie
in Paris, as well as an account of the background of this
investigation, was included in the first part of these studies. The
present part deals with the following seven families: Homoiopteridae,
Lycocercidae, Graphiptilidae, Breyeriidae, Eugereonidae, Archaemego‐aptilidae and Megaptilidae. Compared with the Spilapteridae, considered
in Part I, all of these families are small, consisting of only
a few genera, at least from the Commentry shales. However, they
show much diversity of structure and indicate the extensive range of
wing modifications which occurred in the Palaeodictyoptera, including the reduction and shortening of the hind wings. The third part
of this study will deal with the Dictyoneuridae, which provide us
with more information about the body structure in this order of
insects.
Notes on the Life Cycle and Natural History ofDismorphia Virgo (Lepidoptera Pieridae:Dismorphiinae) in Costa Rica
Authors: Young Allen M.
Published: April 2008

This paper summarizes the life cycle and some aspects of natural
history of the tropical pierid, Dismorphia virgo (Dismorphiinae) in
Costa Rica. The precise taxonomic status of the butterfly in Central
America has not been established, and it may represent a variable
northern isolate of the common South American D. critomedia.
Therefore, independent of whether the Central American form discussed
in this paper has achieved full species status as the more northern
virgo or is a subspecies or variety of critomedia evolving towards
species status, this paper provides new information on the biology
of the butterfly in Costa Rica. The establishment of precise
taxonomic position awaits further study, and for the present purpose,
I refer to the butterfly as D. virgo.
Life History of Dysodia Sica (Lepidoptera: Thyrididae) in Panama
Authors: Aiello Annette
Published: April 2008

Thyrididae is a widespread tropical and subtropical family of
moths, generally thought to be related to the Pyralidae, from which
they differ in a number of ways (see Whalley, 1971). Possibly the
group is not monophyletic, but so little is known concerning the
immature stages, that few conclusions can be reached regarding the
relationships among the four subfamilies.

Dysodia (Thyrididae: Pachythyrinae) is a pantropical genus found
on all continents except Australia (Whalley, 1971). Aside from
scattered foodplant records for several species, little is known about
the immature stages of any of the approximately thirty species. The
present paper describes the egg, larvae, pupa, and larval behavior of
Dysodia sica Druce (Figure 1) reared on Barro Colorado Island
(BCI), Panama, during May through August 1977 and 1980. Seven
other species of Dysodia are listed for BCI by Forbes (1942).
The Identity of three FabricianChrysidid Species (Hymenoptera)
Authors: Kimsey Lynn Siri
Published: April 2008

As part of a world revision of the family Chrysididae it has been
necessary to borrow or study in situ as many of the oldest types as
possible because of potential confusion about their identity. The
species described by Fabricius represent a particular problem. He
named many of the commonest European species, as well as other
less common ones. Although the majority of Fabrician type specimens
are still extant, it is clear that the chrysidid types were never
seen by most later workers. In several instances the Fabrician species
was assumed to be one thing when in fact it belonged to an
entirely different genus. One example of this was Chrysis festiva
Fabricius, which has always been considered a Pentachrysis, or
Chrysis with 5 apical abdominal teeth (Mocsáry 1889, Dalla Torre
1892, Bischoff 1913). However, festiva is actually a species of Parhopes,
as discussed by Kimsey (1987). The three species below present
similar problems.
Host Specificity in Raiding Behaviorof the Slave‐Making AntPolyergus Lucidus
Authors: Goodloe Linda , Sanwald Raymond , Topoff Howard
Published: April 2008

In the pine barrens of Suffolk County, New York, at least three
species of Formica (subgenus Neoformica) are used as slaves by the
obligatory slave‐making ant Polyergus lucidus. In any single nest,
however, only one slave species may be found. This contrasts with
the sympatric, facultative slave‐making ants of the genus Formica
(subgenus Raptiformica) in which single colonies often contain two
or more species of slaves. The slave species exclusivity of P. lucidus
might result in two ways: (1) raids could be made to only one slave
species of the four available; or (2) raids could be made to more than
one slave species, but the captured pupae could be consumed differentially
by the resident slaves, favoring the survival to eclosion of
only one slave species. This paper reports the results of a study
demonstrating that colonies of P. lucidus will, if given a choice, raid
only colonies of the slave species already present in the mixed nest.
Since scouts typically lead nestmates to target Formica nests (Cool‐
Kwait & Topoff, 1984), this selective process must occur through
the perceptions and actions of the scouts.
The Identity of Odynerus Scudderi Cameronand O? Bradleyi Cameron(Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Eumeninae)
Authors: Carpenter James M.
Published: April 2008

Bohart (1965) treated the identity of 100 names of North American
Eumeninae described by Peter Cameron from 1905 to 1912.
This paper established the synonymy of all but four of these names,
and so solved many problems in the nomenclature of nearctic
Eumeninae. During a recent visit to the British Museum, I studied
the type specimens of two of the unrecognized species, and in the
present work establish their synonymy.
Synonymy of Leonomyrma Arnoldi 1968With Chalepoxenus Menozzi 1922(Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
Authors: Buschinger Alfred
Published: April 2008

Arnoldi (1968) erected the genus Leonomyrma for a single new
species, L. spinosa, which he had collected in July, 1949, near
Peremetriaja, East‐Kasachstan (USSR), at the lower course of Ural
River. Up until present, only the type series of 4 ♀♀ and 14 ♂♂ have
been known; no ☿☿ were found. In the course of a study in morphology
and behavior of several species of the ant genus Chalepoxenus,
I came across the description of Leonomyrma. A direct
comparison of its holotype (♀) and an allotype (♂) with material of
two Chalepoxenus species, C. muellerianus (Finzi) (= C. gribodoi
Menozzi) and C. kutteri Cagniant, clearly revealed the synonymy of
the two genera.
Creaphididae, A New and the Oldest Aphid Family From the Triassic of Middle Asia
Authors: Shcherbakov Dmitri E. , Wegierek Piotr
Published: April 2008

The only aphid specimen recorded in pre‐Jurassic strata is the
holotype forewing of Triassoaphis cubitus, which has not been
referred to any family (Evans 1956. Heie 1987). Recently, another
specimen has been discovered among numerous Triassic
Homoptera collected in the rich locality. Dzhailou‐Tcho (South
Fergana, Middle Asia), and deposited in the Paleontological Institute
(Moscow). According to paleobotanical data, the locality is of
Ladinian‐Carnian age, i.e., roughly synchronous or somewhat
older than Carnian Ipswich Group (Dobruskina 1982) that harboured
Triassoaphis. The newly found aphid is very primitive and
peculiar enough to merit new family status.
Diet and Feeding Behavior of the Solpugid, EremobatesPalpisetulosus (Solpugida: Eremobatidae)
Authors: Punzo Fred
Published: April 2008

Eremobates palipsetulosus is a generalist predator which preys
upon a wide variety of arthropods and seems to prefer smaller,
soft‐bodied prey items. Spiders as welt as orthopteran, lepidopteran
and coleopteran insects comprise 76% of the total diet.
When a prey item is encountered, the palpi are used to pull the
prey toward the chelicerae. The prey is then grasped in the chelicerae
which are used to fragment and grind the prey tissues for
subsequent ingestion. Increased hunger levels result in significantly
faster ingestion time and higher capture rates. This is the
first quantitative study on prey capture and feeding behavior for
solpugids.
Insemination Capability of Male Pteromalus Venustus (Hymenoptera:Pteromalidae), A Gregarious Parasitoid of Megachile Rotundata(Hymenoptera: Megachilidae)
Authors: Tepedino V. J.
Published: April 2008

Inseminative ability in Pteromalus venusus, an arrhenotokous
parasitoid presumed to have evolved under Local Mate Competition,
was studied by recording the progeny production of a series
of six virgin females presented to males at hourly intervals. Most
males did not reach the upper limits of their inseminative abilities:
Three‐quarters of the males inseminated at least four females,
twice the ratio of females‐to‐males in an average brood (2:1).
There was no evidence of sperm depletion: The few uninseminated
females did not tend to be those presented later in the mating
sequence, and a comparison of progeny production by female position
in the mating sequence showed no tendency for females presented
later to produce fewer females than those presented earlier.
The data suggest that males can inseminate at least twice the number
of females that normally share a host with them. The breeding
system of this species may be moving towards panmixis because of
recent selection pressures caused by domestication of its primary
host, the alfalfa leafcutting bee.
Observations on Lepidopteran Leaf‐Shelters as Molting Refuges forthe Stink Bug Elasmucha Putoni (Heteroptera: Acanthosomatidae)
Authors: Kudo Shin-Ichi
Published: April 2008

When molting to the adult, the acanthosomatid bug Elasmucha putoni form aggregations on the wild mulberry Morus bombycis.
The 5th‐instar nymphs and/or newly molted adults were found
more often in leaves rolled, folded, or tied by tortricid larvae than
on unmodified leaves. Bugs probably seek protection in lepidopteran
leaf‐shelters during molting.
New Records of Leptothorax Wilsoni From Western North America
Authors: Buschinger A. , Schumann R. D.
Published: April 2008

The parasitic ant Leptothorax wilsoni Heinze, 1989 was recorded
from New Hampshire, Quebec, and New Brunswick. We report on
colonies found in two sites in Jasper National Park, Alberta and in
one site south of Glacier National Park, Montana. The host species
in the west is apparently the same as in the eastern area. Brachypterous
intermorphic and fully alate gynomorphic females were
found together in two colonies, confirming that L. wilsoni is a
species with queen polymorphism. L. wilsoni workers and host
species queens lacked in all colonies, as in the samples from eastern
North America.
The Male Mating Strategy of the Ant Formica Subpolita Mayr(Hymenoptera: Formicidae): Swarming, Mating, and Predation Risk
Authors: O′Neill Kevin M.
Published: April 2008

All‐male mating swarms of the ant Formica subpolita were
observed at the same site, and sometimes on the same plants, for
six consecutive years (1988–1993) in southwestern Montana. The
swarms, sometimes numbering thousands of males, occurred above
and within shrubs and clumps of tall grasses. Mating occurred on
the plant surface below the swarms and lasted for 62 s on average.
Females controlled who they mated with and were observed to
mate with up to 4 different males, before dispersing from swarm
sites. I obtained ~900 records of predation on F. subpolita at
swarms. Twenty‐one species of predator were observed, the foremost
of which were the robber fly Efferia staminea and the spider Dictyna coloradensis. With the exception of prey of the digger
wasp Aphilanthops subfrigidus, which prey only on females, prey
records were overwhelmingly male‐biased. Results are compared
to observations on other species of ants, especially those in the
genus Pogonomyrmex.
First Neotropical Mutualistic Associations in Bumblebee Nests(Hymenoptera: Apidae)
Authors: Chavarria Gabriela
Published: April 2008

Ectosymbionts of bumblebee nests of Bombus ephippiatus are
recorded for first time from the American Tropics. An overview of
this interaction is provided.

“The insect colony and its immediate environment can be
thought of as an island which symbiotic organisms are continuously
attempting to colonize”
Trophic and Temporal Niche Interactions in Sympatric Populationsof Eremobates Palpisetulosus Fichter and E. Mormonus (Roewer)(Solpugida: Eremobatidae)
Authors: Punzo Fred
Published: April 2008

Studies were conducted from April to August 1993, on the diets
and dietary overlap, as well as diel activity patterns of sympatric
populations of the solpugids, Eremobates palpisetulosus and E. mormonus. Although both species are generalist predators, they do
exhibit different prey preferences based on the hardness of the
cuticle. Seventy eight percent of the diet of E. palpisetulosus consisted
of hard‐bodied orthopteran and coleopteran insects, whereas
77% of the diet of E. mormonus consisted of softer‐bodied
dipteran, heteropteran, and orthopteran insects as well as spiders.
No significant dietary differences were found between sexes. Both
solpugid species exhibit similar temporal patterns of activity
although E. mormonus does remain active at the surface for a
longer period of time.
Lasius Xerophilus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), a New Ant Species From White Sands National Monument, New Mexico
Authors: Mackay William P. , Mackay Emma E.
Published: April 2008

We describe a new species of the ant genus Lasius collected
from the arid Chihuahuan Desert, a very unusual habitat for the
genus. The workers, females and males of this species are similar
to those of L. neoniger , but have more abundant erect hairs on the
tibiae.
Nest Architecture of the Australian Paper Wasp Ropalidia Romandi Cabeti , With a Note on its Developmental Process (Hymenoptera:Vespidae)
Authors: Yamane Sôichi , Itô Yosiaki
Published: April 2008

Nest architecture of Ropalidia romandi cabeti was described,
based on 2 incipient (an active and an abandoned) nests and 3
developed ones. Developed nests were spherical, or hemispherical
when built under flat surfaces, consisted of several to more than 10
horizontal combs with oval or irregular shapes. Each comb was
suspended by many pedicels from the upper one. Since several
combs were simultaneously constructed at the same story, they
often produced irregular interconnections that caused complex
stair‐like, or “semispiral” structures. Combs were entirely surrounded
by an outer envelope with a small entrance hole at the
lower tip. The envelope was probably constructed after the first
group of combs had been completed. Materials for both cells and
envelope were plant fibers glued together with salivary secretion.
The surface of envelope was more thickly coated with the secretion
than cell walls. The largest nest had about 30,000 cells in more
than l0 stories of combs that had a surface area of 1,933 cm2. Its
dimensions were 21.5 cm in longer diameter and 17.5 cm in height.
Specialized Predation on Oribatid Mites by Two Species of the AntGenus Myrmecina (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
Authors: Masuko Keiichi
Published: April 2008

Specialized predation on oribatid mites was confirmed in two
Japanese species of the myrmicine genus Myrmecina, the first
instance in the Formicidae. Using the mouthparts and legs, a
worker skillfully tears a hole in the oribatid body and gives the
partly dismembered prey to a larva. During food preparation workers
bend the gaster forward deeply and raise their anterior body
thus making the working posture stable; both seem necessary for
handling such round slippery prey as oribatid mites. The larva of
Myrmecina has a peculiarly elongate head which it inserts into an
oribatid body and consumes the contents.
Natural History of the Ant Pheidole desertorum Wheeler in a Desert Grassland Habitat
Authors: Helms Ken R.
Published: April 2008

Pheidole desertorum colonies are large for the genus; the number of adult workers in established colonies ranges from 2,460–24,814. They are nocturnal during summer and are predators and scavengers on arthropods. Both minor and major workers forage, although foraging by majors appears to occur primarily when food is abundant. Young major workers may function as repletes. The adult major/minor worker ratio varies greatly among colonies; much of that variance appears explained by colony size and marturity of adult colony reproductive broods. Most colonies produce reproductives each year and colony sex ratios are extremely sex‐biased. Mating season begins following summer rainfall, Males and gynes fly prior to sunrise; males form aerial swarms which gynes enter. Mating occurs on the ground, then gynes fly awy, presumably o suitable colony founding sites Colony f0udation is normally haplometrotic, although pleometrotic queen associations with workers are found.
The Process of Intromission in the Mediterranean Fruit Fly, Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidiae)
Authors: Eberhard William G. , Pereira Flory
Published: April 2008

The distiphallus of the male of Ceratitis capitata is folded back 180° onto the basiphallus during the early stages of intromission, and is then unfolded within the female. Repeated folding and unfolding may occur within the female. Two membranous sacs on the distiphallus are capable of rhythmic cycles of inflation and deflation. Inflations of the sac near the base of the distiphallus probably help propel the aedeagus deeper into the female, along with periodic stiffening of the basiphallus; inflation of the larger, distal sac may drive the genital rod (which does not transfer sperm) into the ventral receptacle.
An Adaptive System for Home Monitoring Using a Multiagent Classification of Patterns
Authors: Rammal Ali , Trouilhet Sylvie , Singer Nicolas , Pécatte Jean-Marie
Published: April 2008

This research takes place in the project which proposes software architecture to monitor elderly people in their own homes. We want to build patterns dynamically from data about activity, movements, and physiological information of the monitored people. To achieve that, we propose a multiagent method of classification: every agent has a simple know-how of classification. Data generated at this local level are communicated and adjusted between agents to obtain a set of patterns. The patterns are used at a personal level, for example to raise an alert, but also to evaluate global risks (epidemic, heat wave). These data are dynamic; the system has to maintain the built patterns and has to create new patterns. So, the system is adaptive and can be spread on a large scale.
The Assessment of Autoimmunological Status and Prevalence of Different Forms of Celiac Disease among Children with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus and Celiac Disease
Authors: Deja Grazyna , Myrda Anna , Jarosz-Chobot Przemyslawa , Siekiera Urszula
Published: April 2008

This study aims to assess the autoimmunological status and forms of celiac disease (CD) among children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) .
The study group comprises 27 patients at the mean age of 12.30 years (±SD 3.12). The measurement of the level of diabetes‐specific antibodies and organ‐specific antibodies was gained at the T1DM‐onset and repeated annually. The following risk factors influencing time of CD diagnosis were analyzed: age, sex, T1DM duration, autoantibodies, and HLA‐haplotype.
The prevalence of antibodies was GADA‐74%, IAA‐63%, IA2A‐67%, ATA‐11%, and ATG‐4%. The intestinal biopsy revealed in 19% no changes and in 77% stage 3 (Marsh scale). In most cases, no clinical manifestation of CD was observed. The diagnosis of Hashimoto′s disease was made twice. The negative correlation between the age at T1DM‐onset and the interval between onset of T1DM and CD (r = ‐0.35, p < .05) was noted.
The high‐comorbidity ratio of CD and thyroiditis with T1DM demands regular screening tests especially in the first years after T1DM‐onset.
Accurate Localization of the Integration Sites of Two Genomic Islands at Single-Nucleotide Resolution in the Genome ofBacillus cereusATCC 10987
Authors: Zhang Ren , Zhang Chun-Ting
Published: April 2008

We have identified two genomic islands, that is, BCEGI-1 and BCEGI-2, in the genome ofBacillus cereusATCC 10987, based on comparative analysis withBacillus cereusATCC 14579. Furthermore, by using the cumulative GC profile and performing homology searches between the two genomes, the integration sites of the two genomic islands were determined at single-nucleotide resolution. BCEGI-1 is integrated between 159705 bp and 198000 bp, whereas BCEGI-2 is integrated between the end of ORF BCE4594 and the start of the intergenic sequence immediately following BCE4626, that is, from 4256803 bp to 4285534 bp. BCEGI-1 harbors two bacterial Tn7 transposons, which have two sets of genes encoding TnsA, B, C, and D. It is generally believed that unlike the TnsABC+E pathway, the TnsABC+D pathway would only promote vertical transmission to daughter cells. The evidence presented in this paper, however, suggests a role of the TnsABC+D pathway in the horizontal transfer of some genomic islands.
Angular Dependence of Fluorescence Emission from Quantum Dots inside a Photonic Crystal
Authors: Baert Kasper , Kolaric Branko , Libaers Wim , Vallée Renaud A. L. , Di Vece Marcel , Lievens Peter , Clays Koen
Published: April 2008

The fluorescence of emitters embedded in a photonic crystal is known to be inhibited by the presence of an incomplete photonic band gap or pseudogap acting in their emission range. Here, we present a study of the angular dependence of the fluorescence emission of emitters embedded in a photonic crystal. Our results clearly show an angular dependence of the fluorescence emission, which is caused by the presence of an incomplete 3D band gap.
Genetics of Sex Determination in Tilapiine Species
Authors: Cnaani A. , Lee B.-Y. , Zilberman N. , Ozouf-Costaz C. , Hulata G. , Ron M. , D’Hont A. , Baroiller J.-F. , D’Cotta H. , Penman D.J. , Tomasino E. , Coutanceau J.-P. , Pepey E. , Shirak A. , Kocher T.D.
Published: April 2008

We identified DNA markers linked to sex determining genes in six closely related species of tilapiine fishes. The mode of sex determination differed among species. In Oreochromis karongae and Tilapia mariae the sex-determining locus is on linkage group (LG) 3 and the female is heterogametic (WZ-ZZ system). In O. niloticus and T. zillii the sex-determining locus is on LG1 and the male is heterogametic (XX-XY system). A more complex pattern was observed in O. aureus and O. mossambicus, in which markers on both LG1 and LG3 were associated with sex. We found evidence for sex-linked lethal effects on LG1, as well as interactions between loci in the two linkage groups. Comparison of genetic and physical maps demonstrated a broad region of recombination suppression harboring the sex-determining locus on LG3. Sex-specific recombination suppression was found in the female heterogametic sex. Sequence analysis showed the accumulation of repetitive elements in this region. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that at least two transitions in the mode of sex determination have occurred in this clade. This variation in sex determination mechanisms among closely related species makes tilapias an excellent model system for studying the evolution of sex chromosomes in vertebrates.
Prevalence and Risk of Hypertension in Renal Disease – Data from the Czech Registry of Renal Biopsies
Authors: Jancova Eva , Vankova Zdenka , Honsova Eva , Lanska Vera , Rysava Romana , Merta Miroslav , Rychlík Ivan , Viklicky Ondrej , Zadrazil Josef , Hertlova Miluse , Sobotova Doris , Cifkova Renata , Tesař Vladimir
Published: April 2008

Background/Aims: We intended to compare the risk and prevalence of hypertension in patients undergoing renal biopsy with those of the general population and to investigate the possible effects of various independent factors (age, sex and degree of renal insufficiency) on the prevalence of hypertension. Methods: Data obtained within the Czech Registry of Renal Biopsies over an 8-year period (1995–2002) were statistically evaluated and compared with those of the general population obtained within the Post-MONICA Study conducted in 2000/2001. Results:Hypertension was present in 1,839 out of a total of 3,601 renal patients (51.1%). The risk of hypertension in the patients with renal disease was increased in all age groups compared with the general population (OR = 1.3–5.3). The prevalence of hypertension increased significantly with age, serum creatinine and proteinuria (p < 0.001). Male sex was identified as an independent risk factor for the presence of hypertension (p < 0.01). Sex, age and glomerular filtration rate were shown to be more important determinants of the risk of hypertension than the underlying biopsy-proven diagnosis itself. Conclusion: Hypertension occurs as a common complication of renal disease, even in its early stages, and irrespective of the histological finding.
Peritoneal Dialysis in a Patient with Neurogenic Bladder and Chronic Kidney Disease with Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt
Authors: Ram Prabahar M. , Sivakumar M. , Chandrasekaran V. , Indhumathi E. , Soundararajan P.
Published: April 2008

Long-term dialysis in children with multiple handicaps has become easier with the advent of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (PD). Due to the widespread use of PD and the long survival of patients with spina bifida, an increasing number of patients with spina bifida are on PD. The viability and safety of PD in spina bifida patients with a ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) have been a matter of concern. Some authors consider the presence of a VPS a relative contraindication for PD, but more recent reports suggest that PD under close monitoring is not contraindicated. We report a 17-year-old girl born with meningomyelocele, hydrocephalus and neurogenic bladder who was maintained on VPS. She reached end-stage renal failure 17 years later and was put on PD based on family and patient preference. She had an uneventful course in the initial 9 months, but later developed fungal peritonitis which was successfully managed with catheter withdrawal and an intravenous antifungal agent (amphotercin 0.75 mg/kg). Simultaneous ventricle-aspirated cerebrospinal fluid was sterile. To our knowledge, this is the first report of fungal infection in such a patient. Although we share the view that PD is not an absolute contraindication in patients with a functioning VPS, its likely complications, especially infectious complications in developing countries, should be kept in mind before initiating PD in such patients.
Loss of Expression of EphB1 Protein in Gastric Carcinoma Associated with Invasion and Metastasis
Authors: Wang Jian-dong , Dong Ying-chun , Sheng Zhen , Ma Heng-hui , Li Guo-li , Wang Xu-lin , Lu Guang-ming , Sugimura Haruhiko , Jin Jie , Zhou Xiao-jun
Published: April 2008

Objective:EphB1 is a member of the Eph family of receptor tyrosine kinases that is involved in embryonic nervous and vascular system development. Over- or underexpression of certain Eph receptors has been found in some cancer samples compared to normal tissue. Expression of Eph receptors is related to malignant transformation, metastasis, differentiation, and prognosis of cancers. Recently, the EphB subfamily has been shown to be involved in the tumorigenesis of colorectal cancer. In the present study, expression of the EphB1 transcript and protein in gastric carcinoma samples was determined to investigate the roles of EphB1 in development, progress and prognosis of gastric carcinoma. Methods: Quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemical staining were used. Results: The EphB1 transcript was overexpressed in 68.9% (42/61) and underexpressed in 14.8% (9/61) of cases. However, the expression of protein was greatly different from the transcript expression, with overexpression and underexpression being 17.2% (10/58) and 44.8% (26/58), respectively. In addition, we showed that underexpression of EphB1 protein is significantly associated with invasion, stage and metastasis in gastric carcinomas. Conclusion: EphB1 may have a tumor-suppressive role in gastric cancer.
“Baptists and Bootleggers, Once Removed”: The Politics of Radioactive Waste Internalization in the European Union
Authors: Darst Robert , Dawson Jane I.
Published: April 2008

This article examines the emergence of an unusual coalition of opponents and proponents of nuclear power, united in their insistence that the EU's high-level radioactive waste (HLW) be disposed of within the EU, and in their opposition to the export of HLW beyond the EU. We argue that this odd coalition is best understood by considering the waste disposal issue within the context of the industry's entire production chain. The activist-industry consensus represents a coalition of “baptists and bootleggers, once removed” brought together not by opposition to HLW exports per se, but rather by the intersection of the issue of radioactive waste disposal with that of nuclear power generation. For quite different reasons, both partners believe that internalizing the EU's radioactive waste is more likely than export to advance their respective goals, be it the expansion or elimination of nuclear power.
“Gotta Moan Sometime”: A Sonic Exploration of Earwitnesses to Early Pentecostal Sound in North America
Authors: Daniels, III David Douglas
Published: April 2008

Sound as a historical frame provides a new historiographic turn for Pentecostal studies and a complement to spatial and temporal studies of the Pentecostal past. This article explores how sound serves as a primary marker of early Pentecostal identity, as sound blended the sound of prayer, preaching, testifying, singing, music-making, and silence. Embedded in early Pentecostal sound are primal cries, speech, music, and ambient sound which, for early Pentecostals, functioned as a circular continuum that Pentecostal soundways traveled. Encompassing more than orality, early Pentecostal sound generated a way of knowing that challenged the orality-literacy binary, the hierarchy of senses that privileged sight, and the hierarchy of the races.
Water Mass Transformation and Formation in the Labrador Sea
Authors: Myers Paul G. , Donnelly Chris
Published: April 2008

Objectively analyzed surface hydrographic fields and NCEP–NCAR reanalysis fluxes are used to estimate water mass transformation and formation rates in the Labrador Sea, focusing on Labrador Sea Water (LSW). The authors estimate a mean long-term transformation of between 2.1 ± 0.2 and 3.9 ± 0.3 Sv (Sv ≡ 106 m3 s−1) over the years 1960–99 to water with densities greater than σ = 27.65 kg m−3, depending on the correction used for the latent and sensible heat fluxes. Mean long-term formation rates are found between 0.9 ± 0.2 and 1.7 ± 0.3 Sv for σ = 27.675 − 27.725 kg m−3 and 1.2 ± 0.2 and 2.0 ± 0.3 Sv for σ > 27.725 kg m−3. There is tremendous variability associated with these formation rates with years of strong water formation (5.7–6.6 ± 0.5–0.7 or 9.5–10.8 ± 0.7–1.1 Sv) mixed with years of little or no formation in the given density ranges. The North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) is linked (correlation coefficient of 0.45, significant at the 99% level) with the overall formation rate for σ > 27.625 kg m−3. The observed long-term increase in net precipitation over the Labrador Sea does not seem to have had any significant effect on LSW, potentially reducing LSW transformation rates by 0.1 Sv. A reduction in surface salinity leads to formation occurring at a reduced density, but with little change in the amount of water transformed.
Evaluation of a CCSM3 Simulation with a Finite Volume Dynamical Core for the Atmosphere at 1° Latitude × 1.25° Longitude Resolution
Authors: Bala G. , Rood R. B. , Mirin A. , McClean J. , Achutarao Krishna , Bader D. , Gleckler P. , Neale R. , Rasch P.
Published: April 2008

A simulation of the present-day climate by the Community Climate System Model version 3 (CCSM3) that uses a Finite Volume (FV) numerical method for solving the equations governing the atmospheric dynamics is presented. The simulation is compared to observations and to the well-documented simulation by the standard CCSM3, which uses the Eulerian spectral method for the atmospheric dynamics. The atmospheric component in the simulation herein uses a 1° latitude × 1.25° longitude grid, which is a slightly finer resolution than the T85-grid used in the spectral transform. As in the T85 simulation, the ocean and ice models use a nominal 1-degree grid. Although the physical parameterizations are the same and the resolution is comparable to the standard model, substantial testing and slight retuning were required to obtain an acceptable control simulation. There are significant improvements in the simulation of the surface wind stress and sea surface temperature. Improvements are also seen in the simulations of the total variance in the tropical Pacific, the spatial pattern of ice thickness distribution in the Arctic, and the vertically integrated ocean circulation in the Antarctic Circumpolar Current. The results herein demonstrate that the FV version of the CCSM coupled model is a state-of-the-art climate model whose simulation capabilities are in the class of those used for Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) assessments. The simulated climate is very similar to that of the T85 version in terms of its biases, and more like the T85 model than the other IPCC models.
Generalized Mantel-Haenszel Methods for Differential Item Functioning Detection
Authors: Fidalgo Angel M. , Madeira Jaqueline M.
Published: April 2008

Mantel-Haenszel methods comprise a highly flexible methodology for assessing the degree of association between two categorical variables, whether they are nominal or ordinal, while controlling for other variables. The versatility of Mantel-Haenszel analytical approaches has made them very popular in the assessment of the differential functioning of both dichotomous and polytomous items. Up to now, researchers have limited the use of Mantel-Haenszel statistics to analyzing contingency tables of dimensions 2 × 2 (by means of the Mantel-Haenszel chi-square statistic) and of dimensions of 2 × C (by means of either the generalized Mantel-Haenszel test or Mantel's test). The main objective of this article is to illustrate a unified framework for the analysis of differential item functioning using the Mantel-Haenszel methods. This is done by means of the generalized Mantel-Haenszel statistic for the analysis of the general case of Q contingency tables with dimensions R × C. Moreover, with the new formulation in consideration, this article reviews the most recent research on differential item functioning and suggests new applications and research lines in relation to the statistics proposed.
Critical Language Pedagogy in an Urban High School English Class
Authors: Godley Amanda J. , Minnici Angela
Published: April 2008

The purpose of this study was to examine how classroom conversations about diverse dialects of English can provide a useful foundation for critical language and literacy instruction for students who speak African American Vernacular English (AAVE) and other stigmatized dialects. This article describes a weeklong unit on language variety that implemented what we call critical language pedagogy in three predominantly African American, 10th-grade English classes. Analyses of class discussions, interviews, and pre- and post-questionnaires demonstrate that the unit helped students critique dominant language ideologies, become more conscious of their own code-switching, and view dialect variation as natural and desirable.
Making Behavioral Activation More Behavioral
Authors: Kanter Jonathan W. , Manos Rachel C. , Busch Andrew M. , Rusch Laura C.
Published: April 2008

Behavioral Activation, an efficacious treatment for depression, presents a behavioral theory of depression—emphasizing the need for clients to contact positive reinforcement—and a set of therapeutic techniques—emphasizing provision of instructions rather than therapeutic provision of reinforcement. An integration of Behavioral Activation with another behavioral treatment, Functional Analytic Psychotherapy, addresses this mismatch. Functional Analytic Psychotherapy provides a process for the therapeutic provision of immediate and natural reinforcement. This article presents this integration and offers theoretical and practical therapist guidelines on its application. Although the integration is largely theoretical, empirical data are presented in its support when available. The article ends with a discussion of future research directions.
Skill in Black and White
Authors: Buffington Daniel , Fraley Todd
Published: April 2008

This article discusses the results of a unique research design that collected data regarding college students' perceptions of race in a sporting context. We address a gap in the literature that exists between the well-documented patterns through which sports announcers construct race while commentating during games and the lack of studies assessing the impact of this commentary on audience members. Our findings indicate that members of this sample often expressed the idea that Blacks and Whites possessed different physical and mental skills related to sport, including some who felt these differences were directly attributable to race. Analysis points to the influence of both exposure to television and personal experiences in the formation of these responses, indicating a process of audience—content negotiation.
Health and Occupational Consequences of Spouse Abuse Victimization Among Male U.S. Army Soldiers
Authors: Bell Nicole S.
Published: April 2008

Little is known about health and occupational outcomes of male spouse abuse victims. In all, 11,294 male spouse abuse victims with a history of spouse abuse perpetration, 3,277 victims without prior spouse abuse perpetration, and 72,855 nonvictims and nonperpetrators were followed for 12 years to assess army attrition and hospitalization risk. In multivariate Cox models controlling for age, race, education, rank, service time, and dependents, victims were at significantly greater risk for early army discharge and hospitalization than were nonvictims— particularly hospitalizations for depression, alcohol dependence, and mental health—even when the hospitalization occurred years after the abuse event. Victim—perpetrators had greater risk than did victim—nonperpetrators for both attrition (1.13, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.08-1.18; 1.05, 95% CI = 1.02-1.08, respectively) and hospitalizations (1.45, 95% CI = 1.38-1.52; 1.38, 95% CI = 1.27-1.49, respectively). College education was protective and deserves further inquiry. Male victims need greater support following spouse abuse.