bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cooperating If One's Goals Are Collective‐Based: Social Identification Effects in Social Dilemmas as a Function of Goal Transformation1
Authors: De Cremer David , Van Knippenberg Daan , Van Dijk Eric , Van Leeuwen Esther
Published: May 2008

Prior studies of the effect of group identification on cooperation in social dilemmas have advanced 2 competing accounts: the goal‐transformation hypothesis, which holds that identification makes personal and collective goals interchangeable; and the goal‐amplification hypothesis, which states that identification induces positive expectations about others’ cooperative behavior. However, prior studies have neglected to assess the process measures necessary to pit the one account against the other. The present study showed that the effect of identification was moderated by participants’ social value orientation. Identification influenced proselfs’ cooperation more than prosocials’ cooperation. Mediational analyses further showed that the effect of our identification manipulation was mediated by participants’ sense of collective self, and not by their expectations.
Territorial Markings as a Predictor of Driver Aggression and Road Rage1
Authors: Szlemko William J. , Benfield Jacob A. , Bell Paul A. , Deffenbacher Jerry L. , Troup Lucy
Published: May 2008

Aggressive driving has received substantial media coverage during the past decade. We report 3 studies testing a territorial explanation of aggressive driving. Altman (1975) described attachment to, personalization of, and defense of primary territories (e.g., home) as being greater than for public territories (e.g., sunbathing spot on a beach). Aggressive driving may occur when social norms for defending a primary territory (i.e., one's automobile) become confused with less aggressive norms for defending a public territory (i.e., the road). Both number of territory markers (e.g., bumper stickers, decals) and attachment to the vehicle were significant predictors of aggressive driving. Mere presence of a territory marker predicts increased use of the vehicle to express anger and decreased use of adaptive/constructive expressions.
Sympatric speciation in Yponomeuta: no evidence for host plant fidelity
Authors: Bakker Aletta C. , Roessingh Peter , Menken Steph B.J.
Published: May 2008

According to sympatric speciation theory, adaptation to different host plants is expected to pleiotropically lead to assortative mating, an important factor in the reduction of gene flow between the diverging subpopulations. This scenario predicts mating on and oviposition preference for the respective hosts in both the diverging subpopulations and recently originated species. Here, we test both predictions in the oligophagous Yponomeuta padellus (L.) and the monophagous Yponomeuta cagnagellus (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae), two closely related small ermine moth species from the western European clade of Yponomeuta for which speciation in sympatry has been proposed. Mating location and adult host acceptance were evaluated under both semi‐field (in a large outdoor cage with a choice of host and non‐host plants) and field conditions. In the semi‐field experiment, only Y. cagnagellus showed some preference for mating on its own host (16% of all mating pairs) over non‐host plants (3% of all mating pairs). However, in both species, more than 80% of the mating pairs were not formed on a plant but instead on the cage itself. Further examination of the mating site of Y. cagnagellus in the field revealed no preference for host plants over non‐host plants in the two consecutive years of observation. Yponomeuta padellus females, collected from and reared on Prunus spinosa L. (Rosaceae), showed an oviposition preference for the alternative host Crataegus monogyna Jacq. (Rosaceae) in the semi‐field experiment. We thus found no evidence that host‐plant fidelity (in terms of mating site) has been the driving force in the speciation process of these Yponomeuta species, nor did we find evidence of host race formation in the tested population of the oligophagous Y. padellus.
Parasitoid load affects plant fitness in a tritrophic system
Authors: Smallegange Renate C. , Van Loon Joop J.A. , Blatt Suzanne E. , Harvey Jeff A. , Dicke Marcel
Published: May 2008

Plants attacked by herbivorous insects emit volatile compounds that attract predators or parasitoids of the herbivores. Plant fitness increases when these herbivorous insects are parasitized by solitary parasitoids, but whether gregarious koinobiont parasitoids also confer a benefit to plant fitness has been disputed. We investigated the relationship between parasitoid load of the gregarious Cotesia glomerata (L.) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), food consumption by larvae of their host Pieris brassicae L. (Lepidoptera: Pieridae), and seed production in a host plant, Brassica nigra L. (Brassicaceae), in a greenhouse experiment. Plants damaged by caterpillars containing single parasitoid broods produced a similar amount of seeds as undamaged control plants and produced significantly more seeds than plants with unparasitized caterpillars feeding on them. Increasing the parasitoid load to levels likely resulting from superparasitization, feeding by parasitized caterpillars was significantly negatively correlated with plant seed production. Higher parasitoid brood sizes were negatively correlated with pupal weight of Cotesia glomerata, revealing scramble competition leading to a fitness trade‐off for the parasitoid. Our results suggest that in this tritrophic system plant fitness is higher when the gregarious parasitoid deposits a single brood into its herbivorous host. A prediction following from these results is that plants benefit from recruiting parasitoids when superparasitization is prevented. This is supported by our previous results on down‐regulation of synomone production when Brassica oleracea was fed on by parasitized caterpillars of P. brassicae. We conclude that variable parasitoid loads in gregarious koinobiont parasitoids largely explain existing controversies about the putative benefit of recruiting these parasitoids for plant reproduction.
Attractiveness of binary blends of floral odorant compounds to moths in Florida, USA
Authors: Meagher Robert L. , Landolt Peter J.
Published: May 2008

Evaluation of combinations of flower odor compounds in the field revealed several compounds that were attractive or co‐attractive with phenylacetaldehyde (PAA) to pest noctuid and pyralid moths. A number of moth species responded positively to the key floral odorant PAA. The floral odorants cis‐jasmone, linalool, benzyl acetate, limonene, β‐myrcene, methyl salicylate, and methyl 2‐methoxybenzoate all increased captures of some moths when added to traps with PAA, but responses varied among the moth species that were trapped. For example, soybean looper moths, Pseudoplusia includens (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), most strongly responded to PAA + β‐myrcene, but benzyl acetate, cis‐jasmone, and limonene also increased captures of these moths when these compounds were used in traps along with PAA. Velvetbean caterpillar moths, Anticarsia gemmatalis Hübner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), responded most strongly to PAA + linalool, but β‐myrcene, cis‐jasmone, and limonene also increased captures of these moths in traps over numbers trapped with PAA. Positive responses to floral compound blends were also noted for golden looper [Argyrogramma verruca (F.)], grass looper [Mocis disseverans (Walker)], tobacco budworm [Heliothis virescens (F.)], southern armyworm [Spodoptera eridania (Stoll) (all Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)], and melonworm [Diaphania hyalinata (L.) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)]. Overall, PAA + β‐myrcene appeared to be the strongest floral compound combination for pest species trapped, compared to PAA or other compound blends.
Development of methods to evaluate susceptibility of soybean aphid to imidacloprid and thiamethoxam at lethal and sublethal concentrations
Authors: Magalhaes Leonardo C. , Hunt Thomas E. , Siegfried Blair D.
Published: May 2008

The soybean aphid, Aphis glycines Matsumura (Homoptera: Aphididae), is a recent introduction (2000) from Asia and has become a serious soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr. (Fabaceae)] pest in North America. Seed treatments using the neonicotinoid insecticides, imidacloprid and thiamethoxam, have been suggested as a method of control, and the use of these insecticides is becoming widespread. As a consequence, there is increased potential to select for resistance to these compounds. In the case of soybean aphids, baseline susceptibility to neonicotinoid insecticides and standardized methods for bioassay are lacking. A bioassay technique that uses excised soybean leaves immersed in an insecticide solution was developed to determine systemic insecticidal activity at lethal and sublethal concentrations. Mortality and population growth inhibition were evaluated after 7 days. Life table parameters were calculated by exposing 1‐day‐old aphids to three concentrations of thiamethoxam. Aphid mortality and nymph production were recorded daily until the entire cohort collapsed. Soybean aphid age‐specific survivorship, fecundity, net reproductive rate, longevity, intrinsic rate of increase, discrete daily growth rate, and life expectancy were all significantly reduced at higher thiamethoxam concentrations. Soybean aphid response to both insecticides was similar, and both compounds were very toxic with LC50s of 31.3 and 16.9 ng ml−1 and EC50s of 6.3 and 5.4 ng ml−1 for imidacloprid and thiamethoxam, respectively. These results indicate that the methods developed in this study had negligible impact on the life table estimates measured and can be used to develop a baseline of susceptibility as a benchmark for subsequent resistance monitoring. Given the rapid and widespread adoption of this new insecticide class, vigilant monitoring for changes in susceptibility will be essential to its long‐term sustainability.
How does winter pruning affect peach tree–Myzus persicae interactions?
Authors: Grechi Isabelle , Sauge Marie‐Hélène , Sauphanor Benoît , Hilgert Nadine , Senoussi Rachid , Lescourret Françoise
Published: May 2008

Winter tree pruning is a cultural practice known to modify vegetative growth, which is likely to affect the development of pests. However, it has been poorly addressed as a cultural control method for diminishing the population levels of the green peach aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Homoptera: Aphididae), in peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch (Rosaceae)] orchards. In this study, we conducted a 2‐year, on‐station experiment to evaluate how winter pruning affects peach–M. persicae interactions, by examining tree vegetative growth, aphid population dynamics, and crop yield and fruit quality. We collected data under an insect‐proof shelter on adult peach trees submitted to various levels of pruning and artificially infested with aphids. Our results showed that pruning enhanced shoot growth due to the proportion of growing shoots, which increased exponentially (10–60%), whereas the growth rate of growing shoots was not affected. The degree of infestation of peach trees increased with increasing pruning intensity. This effect was mainly due to the increase of the proportion of growing shoots, on which aphids developed better than on rosettes. In turn, the higher the aphid infestation, the higher the aphid‐induced shoot‐tip damage, leaf curling, and leaf fall that disturbed the growth of growing shoots. However, aphids did not considerably reduce fruit quality at harvest. They did not affect fresh fruit weight, and the refractometric index (indicator of sugar content) was reduced by only 3–4%. The relevance of winter pruning as a cultural method for pest control in orchards conducted under integrated fruit production guidelines is discussed.
Role of prey–host plant associations on Harmonia axyridis and Episyrphus balteatus reproduction and predatory efficiency
Authors: Alhmedi Ammar , Haubruge Eric , Francis Frédéric
Published: May 2008

In order to predict possible locations of Harmonia axyridis Pallas (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) and Episyrphus balteatus DeGeer (Diptera: Syrphidae) in the field, we studied their oviposition and prey preferences in relation to several host plant–prey associations under laboratory conditions. Oviposition preference of H. axyridis and E. balteatus females was determined for three aphid (Homoptera: Aphididae)–host plant associations: Microlophium carnosum Buckton on stinging nettle [Urtica dioica L. (Urticaceae)], Acyrthosiphon pisum Harris on green pea [Pisum sativum L. (Fabaceae)], and Sitobion avenae F. on wheat [Triticum aestivum L. (Poaceae)]. Prey preference of H. axyridis and E. balteatus larvae was determined with the aphids M. carnosum, A. pisum, and S. avenae. Harmonia axyridis females showed a strong oviposition preference for the stinging nettle–M. carnosum association. The preferred association for ovipostion by E. balteatus was pea‐hosting A. pisum, on which fecundity was also highest. Feeding behaviour was less restricted in H. axyridis, in which the preferred preys were M. carnosum and S. avenae. A lower specificity of predation was observed in E. balteatus larvae with respect to A. pisum. These laboratory experiments may help us to understand the spatial distribution of H. axyridis and E. balteatus in the field.
The induction of endochondral bone formation by transforming growth factor‐β3: experimental studies in the non‐human primate Papio ursinus
Authors: Ripamonti Ugo , Nathaniel Ramoshebi L. , Teare June , Renton Louise , Ferretti Carlo
Published: May 2008

Transforming growth factor‐β3 (TGF‐β3), a multi‐functional growth modulator of embryonic development, tissue repair and morphogenesis, immunoregulation, fibrosis, angiogenesis and carcinogenesis, is the third mammalian isoform of the TGF‐β subfamily of proteins. The pleiotropism of the signalling proteins of the TGF‐β superfamily, including the TGF‐β proteins per se, are highlighted by the apparent redundancy of soluble molecular signals initiating de novo endochondral bone induction in the primate only. In the heterotopic bioassay for bone induction in the subcutaneous site of rodents, the TGF‐β3 isoform does not initiate endochondral bone formation. Strikingly and in marked contrast to the rodent bioassay, recombinant human (h)TGF‐β3, when implanted in the rectus abdominis muscle of adult non‐human primates Papio ursinus at doses of 5, 25 and 125 μg per 100 mg of insoluble collagenous matrix as carrier, induces rapid endochondral bone formation resulting in large corticalized ossicles by day 30 and 90. In the same animals, the delivery of identical or higher doses of theTGF‐β3 protein results in minimal repair of calvarial defects on day 30 with limited bone regeneration across the pericranial aspect of the defects on day 90. Partial restoration of the bone induction cascade by the hTGF‐β3 protein is obtained by mixing the hTGF‐β3 device with minced fragments of autogenous rectus abdominis muscle thus adding responding stem cells for further bone induction by the hTGF‐β3 protein. The observed limited bone induction in hTGF‐β3/treated and untreated calvarial defects in Papio ursinus and therefore by extension to Homo sapiens, is due to the influence of Smad‐6 and Smad‐7 down‐stream antagonists of the TGF‐β signalling pathway. RT‐PCR, Western and Northern blot analyses of tissue specimens generated by the TGF‐β3 isoform demonstrate robust expression of Smad‐6 and Smad‐7 in orthotopic calvarial sites with limited expression in heterotopic rectus abdominis sites. Smad‐6 and ‐7 overexpression in hTGF‐β3/treated and untreated calvarial defects may be due to the vascular endothelial tissue of the arachnoids expressing signalling proteins modulating the expression of the inhibitory Smads in pre‐osteoblastic and osteoblastic calvarial cell lines controlling the induction of bone in the primate calvarium.
Farnesyl diphosphate synthase is involved in the resistance to zoledronic acid of osteosarcoma cells
Authors: Ory B. , Moriceau G. , Trichet V. , Blanchard F. , Berreur M. , Rédini F. , Rogers M. , Heymann D.
Published: May 2008

We recently demonstrated original anti‐tumor effects of zoledronic acid (Zol) on osteosarcoma cell lines independently of their p53 and Rb status. The present study investigated the potential Zol‐resistance acquired by osteosarcoma cells after prolonged treatment. After 12 weeks of culture in the presence of 1 μm Zol, the effects of high doses of Zol (10–100 μm) were compared between the untreated rat (OSRGA, ROS) and human (MG63, SAOS2) osteosarcoma cells and Zol‐pretreated cells in terms of cell proliferation, cell cycle analysis, migration assay and cytoskeleton organization. Long‐term treatment with 1 μm Zol reduced the sensitivity of osteosarcoma cells to high concentrations of Zol. Furthermore, the Zol‐resistant cells were sensitive to conventional anti‐cancer agents demonstrating that this resistance process is independent of the multidrug resistance phenotype. However, as similar experiments performed in the presence of clodronate and pamidronate evidenced that this drug resistance was restricted to the nitrogen‐containing bisphosphonates, we then hypothesized that this resistance could be associated with a differential expression of farnesyl diphos‐phate synthase (FPPS) also observed in human osteosarcoma samples. The transfection of Zol‐resistant cells with FPPS siRNA strongly increased their sensitivity to Zol. This study demonstrates for the first time the induction of metabolic resistance after prolonged Zol treatment of osteosarcoma cells confirming the therapeutic potential of Zol for the treatment of bone malignant pathologies, but points out the importance of the treatment regimen may be important in terms of duration and dose to avoid the development of drug metabolic resistance.
Type I IFN induced IL1‐Ra expression in hepatocytes is mediated by activating STAT6 through the formation of STAT2: STAT6 heterodimer
Authors: Wan Lei , Lin Cheng‐Wen , Lin Ying‐Ju , Sheu Jim J.C. , Chen Bing‐Hung , Liao Chiu‐Chu , Tsai Yuhsin , Lin Wei‐Yong , Lai Chih‐Ho , Tsai Fuu Jen
Published: May 2008

The biological activities of type I interferons (IFNs) are mediated by their binding to a heterodimer receptor complex (IFNAR1 and IFNAR2), resulting in the activation of the JAK (JAK1 and TYK2)‐STAT (1, 2, 3, 5 isotypes) signalling pathway. Although several studies have indicated that IFN‐α and IFN‐β can activate complexes containing STAT6, the biological role of this activation is still unknown. We found that exposure of hepatoma cells (HuH7 and Hep3B) to IFN‐α or IFN‐β led to the activation of STAT6. Activated STAT6 in turn induced the formation of STAT2: STAT6 complexes, which led to the secretion of IL‐1Ra. The activation of STAT6 by type I IFN in hepatocytes was mediated by JAK1 and Tyk2. In addition, IFN‐α or IFN‐β significantly enhanced the stimulatory effect of IL‐1β on production of IL‐1Ra. The present study suggests a novel function of IFN‐α and IFN‐β signalling in human hepatocytes. Our results provide evidence for the mechanism how IFN‐α and IFN‐β modulate inflammatory responses through activation of STAT6 and production of secreted IL‐1Ra.
S100B induces tau protein hyperphosphorylation via Dickopff‐1 up‐regulation and disrupts the Wnt pathway in human neural stem cells
Authors: Esposito Giuseppe , Scuderi Caterina , Lu Jie , Savani Claudia , De Filippis Daniele , Iuvone Teresa , Steardo Jr Luca , Sheen Volney , Steardo Luca
Published: May 2008

Previous studies suggest that levels of the astrocyte‐derived S100B protein, such as those occurring in brain extra‐cellular spaces consequent to persistent astroglial activation, may have a pathogenetic role in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Although S100B was reported to promote β amyloid precursor protein overexpression, no clear mechanistic relationship between S100B and formation of neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) is established. This in vitro study has been aimed at investigating whether S100B is able to disrupt Wnt pathway and lead to tau protein hyperphosphorylation. Utilizing Western blot, electrophoretic mobility shift assay, supershift and reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction techniques, it has been demonstrated that micromolar S100B concentrations stimulate c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK) phosphorylation through the receptor for advanced glycation ending products, and subsequently activate nuclear AP‐1/cJun transcription, in cultured human neural stem cells. In addition, as revealed by Western blot, small interfering RNA and immunofluorescence analysis, S100B‐induced JNK activation increased expression of Dickopff‐1 that, in turn, promoted glycogen synthase kinase 3β phosphorylation and β‐catenin degradation, causing canonical Wnt pathway disruption and tau protein hyperphosphorylation. These findings propose a previously unrecognized link between S100B and tau hyperphosphorylation, suggesting S100B can contribute to NFT formation in AD and in all other conditions in which neuroinflammation may have a crucial role.
Thrombin bound to a fibrin clot confers angiogenic and haemostatic properties on endothelial progenitor cells
Authors: Smadja David M. , Basire Agnès , Amelot Aymeric , Conte Aurélie , Bièche Ivan , Le Bonniec Bernard F. , Aiach Martine , Gaussem Pascale
Published: May 2008

Recent data suggest that endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are involved in recanalizing venous thrombi. We examined the impact of a fibrin network, and particularly of adsorbed thrombin, on EPCs derived from cord blood CD34+ cells. Fibrin networks generated in microplates by adding CaCl2 to platelet‐depleted plasma retained adsorbed thrombin at the average concentration of 4.2 nM per well. EPCs expressed high levels of endothelial cell protein C receptor and thrombomodulin, allowing the generation of activated protein C on the fibrin matrix in the presence of exogenous human protein C. The fibrin matrix induced significant EPC proliferation and, when placed in the lower chamber of a Boyden device, strongly enhanced EPC migration. These effects were partly inhibited by hirudin by 41% and 66%, respectively), which suggests that fibrin‐adsorbed thrombin interacts with EPCs via the thrombin receptor PAR‐1. Finally, spontaneous lysis of the fibrin network, studied by measuring D‐dimer release into the supernatant, was inhibited by EPCs but not by control mononuclear cells. Such an effect was associated with a 10‐fold increase in plasminogen activator inhibitor‐1 (PAI‐1) secretion by EPCs cultivated in fibrin matrix. Overall, our data show that EPCs, in addition to their angiogenic potential, have both anticoagulant and antifibrinolytic properties. Thrombin may modulate these properties and contribute to thrombus recanalization by EPCs.
Elevated levels of pro‐apoptotic p53 and its oxidative modification by the lipid peroxidation product, HNE,in brain from subjects with amnestic mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Cenini Giovanna , Sultana Rukhsana , Memo Maurizio , Butterfield D. Allan
Published: May 2008

Oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Both AD and arguably its earlier form, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), have elevated membrane oxidative damage in brain. The tumor suppressor and transcription factor p53 plays a pivotal function in neuronal apoptosis triggered by oxidative stress. Apoptosis contributes to neuronal death in many neurological disorders, including AD. In this study, we investigated p53 expression in a specific region of the cerebral cortex, namely the inferior parietal lobule (IPL), in MCI and AD brain, to test the hypothesis that alterations of this pro‐apoptotic protein may be involved in neuronal death in the progression of AD. By immunoprecipitation assay, we also investigated whether 4‐hydroxy‐2‐transnonenal (HNE), an aldehydic product of lipid peroxidation, was bound in excess to p53 in IPL from subjects with MCI and AD compared to control. Overall, the data provide evidence that p53 is involved in the neuronal death in both MCI and AD, suggesting that the observed alterations are early events in the progression of AD. In addition, HNE may be a novel non‐protein mediator of oxidative stress‐induced neuronal apoptosis.
Unfavourable clinical implications for HLA‐G expression in acute myeloid leukaemia
Authors: Yan W.‐H. , Lin A. , Chen B.‐G. , Luo W.‐D. , Dai M.‐Z. , Chen X.‐J. , Xu H.‐H. , Li B.‐L.
Published: May 2008

Human leukocyte antigen‐G (HLA‐G) molecule exerts multiple immunoregulatory functions that have been suggested to contribute to the immune evasion of tumour cells. Studies on HLA‐G expression in malignant haematopoietic diseases are controversial, and the functions of HLA‐G on this context are limited. In the current study, HLA‐G expression was analysed in different types of patients: de novo acute myeloid leukaemia (AML, n = 54), B cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (B‐ALL, n= 13), chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML, n= 9) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS, n= 11). HLA‐G expression was observed in 18.5% cases of AML, 22.2% in CML and 18.2% in MDS, but not in B‐ALL patients. In AML, HLA‐G‐positive patients had a significant higher bone marrow leukaemic blast cell percentage when compared with that of HLA‐G‐negative patients (P < 0.01). Total T‐cell percentage was dramatically decreased in HLA‐G‐positive patients (P < 0.05). Cytogenetic karyotyping results showed that all HLA‐G‐positive AML patients (n= 5) were cytogenetically abnormal, which was markedly different from that of HLA‐G‐negative patients (P < 0.01). Ex vivo cytotoxicity analysis revealed that HLA‐G expression in AML leukaemic cells could directly inhibit NK cell cytolysis (P < 0.01). These findings indicated that HLA‐G expression in AML is of unfavourable clinical implications, and that HLA‐G could be a potential target for therapy.
Modeling and remodeling of human extraction sockets
Authors: Trombelli Leonardo , Farina Roberto , Marzola Andrea , Bozzi Leopoldo , Liljenberg Birgitta , Lindhe Jan
Published: May 2008

Introduction: The available studies on extraction wound repair in humans are affected by significant limitations and have failed to evaluate tissue alterations occurring in all compartments of the hard tissue defect.

Aim: To monitor during a 6‐month period the healing of human extraction sockets and include a semi‐quantitative analysis of tissues and cell populations involved in various stages of the processes of modeling/remodeling.

Material and Methods: Twenty‐seven biopsies, representative of the early (2–4 weeks, n=10), intermediate (6–8 weeks, n=6), and late phase (12–24 weeks, n=11) of healing, were collected and analysed.

Results: Granulation tissue that was present in comparatively large amounts in the early healing phase of socket healing, was in the interval between the early and intermediate observation phase replaced with provisional matrix and woven bone. The density of vascular structures and macrophages slowly decreased from 2 to 4 weeks over time. The presence of osteoblasts peaked at 6–8 weeks and remained almost stable thereafter; a small number of osteoclasts were present in a few specimens at each observation interval.

Conclusions: The present findings demonstrated that great variability exists in man with respect to hard tissue formation within extraction sockets. Thus, whereas a provisional connective tissue consistently forms within the first weeks of healing, the interval during which mineralized bone is laid down is much less predictable.
Myopericytoma: report of two cases associated with trauma
Authors: Laga Alvaro C. , Tajirian Ani L. , Islam Mohammed N. , Bhattacharyya Indraneel , Cohen Donald M. , Plamondon Caroline J. , Robinson‐Bostom Leslie
Published: May 2008

Myopericytoma is a rare, recently described tumor demonstrating a hemangiopericytoma‐like vascular pattern. We present two cases of myopericytoma associated with trauma: a 64‐year‐old man who developed several nodules on his nose four months after sustaining multiple abrasions to his forehead and nose, and a 72‐year‐old woman with a solitary growth in the alveolar ridge of unknown duration. Biopsy specimens of the lesions in both cases demonstrated a striking concentric perivascular proliferation of bland spindle‐shaped pericytic cells characteristic of myopericytoma. Despite sharing morphologic features with angioleiomyoma, myofibroma and glomus tumor, myopericytoma is thought to represent a distinct perivascular myoid neoplasm of skin and soft tissues. The tumor is characterized by a radial and perivascular arrangement of ovoid, spindled to round neoplastic cells that are immunoreactive to alpha‐smooth muscle actin, often for h‐caldesmon as well as smooth muscle myosin‐heavy chain, and usually negative for desmin antibodies. Most cases of myopericytoma are benign, however, local recurrence and malignancy have recently been reported, Myopericytoma can be multifocal involving a single or multiple anatomic regions, and tends to occur in dermal and superficial soft tissues of adults primarily on the extremities. Our cases are unusual examples of myopericytoma manifesting as multiple nodules on the nose, and a solitary growth on the buccal mucosa after trauma.
CD4‐negative variant of CD4+/CD56+ hematodermic neoplasm: description of three cases
Authors: Ascani Stefano , Massone Cesare , Ferrara Gerardo , Rongioletti Franco , Papini Manuela , Pileri Stefano , Cerroni Lorenzo
Published: May 2008

Background:  CD4+/CD56+ hematodermic neoplasm (HN) (blastic natural killer (NK)‐cell lymphoma) is a rare entity characterized by dense, monomorphous infiltrates of medium‐sized cells with blastic appearance and a characteristic immunophenotype (positivity for CD4, CD56 and CD123). The combination of CD4 and CD56 positivity is thought to be so striking that it has been used to name this entity.

Methods:  Three cases of HN with ambiguous phenotypic profile were included in this study. In all cases, phenotypic, molecular and in situ hybridization studies were carried out.

Results:  All three cases showed an aberrant phenotype with negativity for CD4.

Conclusions:  CD4‐negative or CD56‐negative cases of HN have been rarely reported in the literature and represent a diagnostic problem. Our three cases confirm that CD4 is not always expressed in these neoplasms. The term ‘CD4+/CD56+ hematodermic neoplasm’ adopted in the World Health Organization–European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer classification of cutaneous lymphomas may be misleading and should probably be revised in the light of all data published in the literature.
Myxofibrosarcoma in the skin
Authors: Clarke Loren E. , Zhang Paul J. , Crawford Glen H. , Elenitsas Rosalie
Published: May 2008

Myxofibrosarcoma, also known as myxoid malignant fibrous histiocytoma, is increasingly recognized as a distinct malignant neoplasm of fibroblastic origin with variable clinical and histopathologic features. Myxofibrosarcomas are among the most common malignant mesenchymal neoplasms of older adults, and approximately two thirds develop within the dermis or subcutis. Herein, we describe the clinicopathologic features of four cases of myxofibrosarcoma involving the skin. Three of these cases were initially misdiagnosed as benign cutaneous neoplasms, two as myxoid neurofibroma. These cases illustrate the clinicopathologic spectrum encompassed by myxofibrosarcoma in the skin and highlight the diagnostic difficulties it may present.
A genomic and expression study of AP‐1 in primary cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma: evidence for dysregulated expression of JUNB and JUND in MF and SS
Authors: Mao Xin , Orchard Guy , Mitchell Tracey J. , Oyama Noritaka , Russell‐Jones Robin , Vermeer Maarten H. , Willemze Rein , Van Doorn Remko , Tensen Cornelis P. , Young Bryan D. , Whittaker Sean J.
Published: May 2008

Activator protein 1 (AP‐1) consists of a group of transcription factors including the JUN and FOS family proteins with diverse biological functions. This study assessed the genomic and expression status of the AP‐1 transcription factors in primary cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma (CTCL) by using immunohistochemistry (IHC), Affymetrix expression microarray, real‐time reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). IHC showed JUNB protein expression in tumor cells from 17 of 33 cases of Sezary syndrome (SS) and JUND protein expression in 16 of 23 mycosis fungoides cases. There was no correlation between JUNB and CD30 expression. However, 7 of 12 JUNB‐positive SS cases expressed both phosphorylated and total extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) proteins. Expression microarray showed over threefold increased expression of JUNB in three of six SS patients and similar findings were also noted after re‐analysis of previously published data. Real‐time RT‐PCR confirmed the overexpression of JUNB in four SS cases and of JUND in three of four cases. FISH showed increased JUNB copy number in four of seven SS cases. These findings suggest that deregulation of AP‐1 expression in CTCL is the result of aberrant expression of JUNB and possible JUND resulting from genomic amplification and constitutive activation of ERK1/2 MAPK in this type of lymphoma.
An fMRI study of face encoding and recognition in first-episode schizophrenia
Authors: Anilkumar Anantha P. P. , Kumari Veena , Mehrotra Ravi , Aasen Ingrid , Mitterschiffthaler Martina T. , Sharma Tonmoy
Published: May 2008

Background:

Schizophrenia has been associated with limited abilities to interact effectively in social situations. Face perception and ability to recognise familiar faces are critical for social interaction. Patients with chronic schizophrenia are known to show impaired face recognition. Studying first-episode (FE) patients allows the exclusion of confounding effects of chronicity, medication and institutionalisation in this deficit.

Objective:

To determine brain (dys)functions during a face encoding and recognition paradigm in FE schizophrenia.

Methods:

Thirteen antipsychotic-naïve FE schizophrenia patients and 13 age- and sex-matched healthy controls underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging during a face encoding and recognition paradigm. Behavioural responses were recorded on line.

Results:

Patients recognised significantly fewer of previously presented faces than the controls (p = 0.008). At the neural level, both groups activated a network of regions including the fusiform area, occipital, temporal and frontal regions. In brain activity, the two groups did not differ in any region during encoding or recognition conditions (p > 0.05, corrected or uncorrected).

Conclusions:

Our findings show impaired face recognition without a significant alteration of related brain activity in FE schizophrenia patients. It is possible that neural changes become more strongly evident with progression of the illness, and manifest themselves as behavioural impairments during the early course.
An uncommon zoonosis
Authors: Mairhofer Daniela , Schmidt Peter , Kitzwögerer Melitta , Müller Simone , Bruns Ute , Gebhart Walter , Trautinger Franz
Published: May 2008

In a patient with foreign‐body granulomas, dog hairs were identified as the causative agent by combing history, histopathology and highly sensitive detection of species‐specific canine mitochondrial DNA. Granulomas from human hair are well known in hairdressers. Animal hair granulomas have so far been only described in dog groomers, milkers, and shearers. To the best of our knowledge this patient represents the first described case of dog hair granulomas in a pet owner.
Indoor versus outdoor childhood submersion injury in a densely populated city
Authors: Hon Kam‐Lun Ellis , Leung Ting‐Fan , Chan Sze‐yan Jennette , Cheung Kam‐Lau , Ng Pak‐Cheung
Published: May 2008

Aim: To review the outcome of childhood submersion injury (SI).

Methods: We reviewed discharge data of all children with SI who were hospitalized in a university teaching hospital between January 2002 and January 2008.

Results: There were 15 admissions (8 males and 7 females). Outdoor SI (n = 10) were more common than indoor SI (n = 5) and 7 cases occurred in public swimming pools with life guard service. There were significant differences between the two types of SI. Indoor SI more likely occurred in the Chinese mainland. The victims were generally younger, more likely to have low Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), asystole and intubation at the emergency department (ED). They were more likely to require intensive care, ventilatory support, neurological imaging and had worse neurological sequlae of death or hypoxic‐ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE).

Conclusion: Indoor SI was associated with worse prognosis. All patients with GCS of 3 at ED and required intensive care support were either dead or incapacitated. Low GCS, pulselessness and intubation at the ED and seizures are also associated with adverse outcomes. Describing the mode of paediatric SI in a city where SI rarely occurs serves to heighten public awareness especially of home safety in the prevention of SI.
Newer forms of conventional ventilation for preterm newborns
Authors: Sinha Sunil K , Donn Steven M
Published: May 2008

Although life saving, mechanical ventilation can cause complications such as ventilator‐induced lung injury and bronchopulmonary dysplasia in very preterm babies. The ventilator‐induced lung injury is multi‐factorial. There has been an introduction of a number of newer forms of mechanical ventilation, which are aimed to reduce such complications. These are based on sound physiologic principles and clinicians should familiarize themselves with these advances.
Atypical cystic meningioma overexpressing AQP1 in early infancy: case report with literature review
Authors: Marton Elisabetta , Feletti Alberto , Basaldella Luca , Dei Tos Angelo Paolo , Bendini Matteo , Longatti Pierluigi
Published: May 2008

Meningiomas in early infancy are rare lesions, worth to be reported for their exceptional occurrence. The authors report a case of an 11‐month‐old female child with asymmetric macrocephaly due to the presence of a cystic atypical meningioma associated to bilateral subdural collections.

Conclusion: This unusual and unique case of atypical cystic meningioma in early infancy showed a high positivity to immunostaining of aquaporin 1, and this pattern could correlate with the coexistence both of cysts and subdural collections.
Intraoperative variables associated with extubation time in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery
Authors: IMANIPOUR Masoomeh , BASSAMPOOR Shiva Sadat , NIKBAKHT NASRABADI Alireza
Published: May 2008

Aim:  Decreasing mechanical ventilation and early extubation in patients has many clinical and financial benefits. Therefore, an awareness of some variables those are associated with extubation time can help nurses to plan appropriate care aimed at doing an early and safe extubation. In this study, we identified whether any intraoperative variables had a significant effect on the extubation time following coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

Methods:  The research was conducted in a university‐affiliated hospital in Tehran, Iran. In this cross‐sectional study, the data were collected by reviewing 93 files of eligible patients who had undergone coronary artery bypass graft surgery between December 2004 and March 2006. The data collection tool was a checklist consisting of some intraoperative variables: the number of grafts, the duration of time of the cardiopulmonary bypass and aortic cross‐clamping, the use of the internal mammary artery, and the extubation time as the dependent variable. The data were analyzed by descriptive and analytical methods.

Results:  Extubation was achieved for 93 patients in a mean time of 7.19 ± 3.00 h: 43% of the patients were extubated in ≤6 h and 57% of them were extubated in >6 h after surgery, classifying them into the early and delayed extubation groups, respectively. On statistical analysis, the duration of the aortic cross‐clamping was found to have a significant effect on the extubation time.

Conclusion:  This study revealed that the duration of the aortic cross‐clamping might play a role in the extubation time. Therefore, it is recommended that nurses consider this in their assessment of extubation as a shorter aortic cross‐clamping time might lead to earlier extubation.
Stakeholders' perception of the desired Master's program for Kenya in community health nursing: Areas of competency*
Authors: NARUSE Kazuko , TASHIRO Junko , SAKYO Yumi , ICHIKAWA Wakako , KARANI Anna K.
Published: May 2008

Introduction:  After the World Health Assembly approved the WHA 45.5 in 1992, which addressed the nursing shortage by refocusing nurses and midwives to meet community health needs, community demands for educated nurses and the needs of higher nursing education in developing countries increased. However, in developing countries that suffering from multiple resource deficiencies, such as Kenya, the strategic direction of higher education in nursing was unclear. Therefore, in Kenya, a major university school of nursing initiated a collaborative study with a well‐established Japanese nursing college to determine the service‐providers' perspective about upgrading the Master's community nursing curriculum.

Purpose:  The aim of the study was to describe the Kenyan stakeholders' perspective and the expected roles and abilities of Master's graduates in community nursing.

Methods:  This qualitative, cross‐sectional study used convenience sampling to obtain 21 participants. The content analysis of the data was based on 19 semistructured interviews.

Results:  Sixteen categories and 42 subcategories were derived from the five key questions that related to the expectations of the Master's program. The Master's graduates were expected to acquire knowledge and skills relating to administration, management, epidemiology, research, and education. The participants recognized that epidemiology, important for preventive care, was minimal among the current community health nurses. Also, Master's graduates must be prepared to manage health programs.

Conclusion:  The stakeholders expected that Master's graduates would become leaders in community health nursing, with a broad range of knowledge and skills, most notably in the areas of management and administration, epidemiology, and research. Those abilities should be reflected in the curriculum content.
Factors affecting the turnover of novice nurses at university hospitals: A two year longitudinal study
Authors: SUZUKI Eiko , ITOMINE Ichiro , SAITO Miyuki , KATSUKI Takeshi , SATO Chifumi
Published: May 2008

Aim:  Novice nurses' rapid turnover is one of the big factors leading to the shortage of nurses. We identified the factors that affected the turnover of novice nurses in a 2 year study period.

Methods:  The subjects consisted of 1023 novice nurses at 20 university hospitals that gave consent to participate in the study. We began a cohort study in June 2003, obtained valid responses from 923 nurses, and confirmed their turnover in December 2003, June 2004, and March 2005.

Results:  From the baseline of June 2003, 124 nurses quit and 117 nurses retired in these 2 years. After conducting variable selection by stepwise analysis, an analysis using the Cox regression model found that the turnover risk was 1.6‐fold higher in nurses lacking support from their peers, 2.2‐fold higher in those nurses who were slightly dissatisfied with their job, and 3.2‐fold higher in those nurses who were very dissatisfied with their job. When examining the characteristics of the nurses lacking support from their peers and of those dissatisfied with their job, both tended to burnout and lacked support from senior nurses or their supervisor.

Conclusion:  For novice nurses, having no support from their peers and being dissatisfied with their job strongly affect their turnover. As the support from senior nurses and their supervisor are important and there is a high possibility that burnout can affect turnover, the importance of preparing a good job environment for novice nurses has been suggested.
Battered Japanese women's perceptions and experiences of beneficial health care
Authors: NEMOTO Keiko , RODRIGUEZ Rachel , MKANDAWIRE‐VALHMU Lucy
Published: May 2008

Aim:  The purpose of this study was to explore battered Japanese women's perceptions and experiences of receiving health‐care assistance that they found helpful in dealing with their partner's violence.

Methods:  This study employed an interpretative qualitative design. Fifteen battered Japanese women who lived in central, western, and southern Japan were sampled. The data were collected through face‐to‐face individual interviews using a semistructured interview guide. The analysis was completed using the thematic analysis method.

Results:  Three themes were identified that battered Japanese women found helpful in regard to health‐care providers' assistance: empathy and understanding, professional intervention, and a flexible system and assistance.

Conclusion:  For health‐care providers to effectively treat battered Japanese women, it is critical that the providers understand the dynamics of intimate partner violence and that they provide information to battered women about the available community resources and options.
Hematological reference values of healthy Malaysian population
Authors: ROSHAN T. M. , ROSLINE H. , AHMED S. A. , RAPIAAH M. , WAN ZAIDAH A. , KHATTAK M. N.
Published: May 2008

Health and disease can only be distinguished by accurate and reliable reference values of a particular laboratory test. It is now a proven fact that there is considerable variation in hematology reference intervals depending on the demographic and preanalytical variables. There are evidences that values provided by manufacturers do not have appropriate application for all populations. Moreover, reference ranges provided by different laboratory manuals and books also do not solve this problem. We are presenting here normal reference ranges of Malaysian population. These values were determined by using Sysmex XE‐2100 and ACL 9000 hematology and coagulation analyzers. Results from this study showed that there were considerable differences in the reference values from manufacturers, western population or laboratory manuals compared with those from the local population.
Identification of β‐globin gene mutations in Thailand using an automated fluorescence‐based DNA sequencer
Authors: SANGKITPORN S. K. , EKSIRI L. , SANGNOI A. , DUANGRUANG S. , DUMBUA A. , RATTANAKITTISOPHON K. , SANGKITPORN S.
Published: May 2008

Fluorescence‐based DNA sequence analysis was developed for identification of β‐globin gene mutations in the Thai population. The β‐globin gene was directly sequenced in two runs and the sequencing electropherogram allowed unambiguous detection of nucleotide substitutions, frameshifts, and small insertions/deletions in heterozygote and homozygote. The method was validated and successfully applied in routine analysis of 416 individuals with β‐thalassemia disease, β‐thalassemia/hemoglobin (Hb) E and Hb variants. Twenty‐five different β‐globin gene mutations were identified. Two Hb variants, Hb Tacoma [codon 30 (G‐T)] and Hb Tende [codon 124 (C‐T)], were also identified for the first time in a Thai population. Automated fluorescence‐based DNA sequence analysis provides a rapid and reliable method for identification of common, rare and unknown β‐globin gene mutations, which is essential for prevention and control of thalassemia and hemoglobinopathy in Thailand.